The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-12-18

locked the door of his vehicle. Then
mounting the box he drove OF. Mean-i
while Jake was making ready to carry,
out his part Of the infamous plan.
Putting his pencil and paper In his
pocket. John, his attention attracted,
by the sudden stopping of the taxi.
looked about. They were standing at
the foot Of q steep hill at sharp bend,
while coming down upon them and
apparently beyond control, was great
truck Of such ponderousness that
should It strike them 1t would crush
them even as a locomotive. The pas
senger shot glance at his chauffeur,
who was working desperately at the
wheel. Believing from the actions Of
the other that there was some engine,
trouble. and that to remain seated
where he was would involve his death
before the oncoming monster Of the
hill, John seized the door Of the cab
and turned the knob. 1t was, locked,
and whirling to the other side he tried
that way of exit also with the same re-
suit.
One glance showed him the truck
coming at terrific speed and almost up
on them. To delay longer meant GER
tain disaster. and with no alternative
left he raised his cane and smashing
the glass window Of his prison, leaped
head first through 1t just as the truck
struck the taxi. Throwing himself fiat
into the gutter, he raised his eyes to
see the ponderous vehicle crash into
the light framework Of the deserted
cab. roll 1t over and grind It to pieces
~ though 1t had been crushed BY n
war tank. Getting upon his feet.
Davis found himself quickly surround
ed by q crowd. A policeman came In
to their midst. leading the driver of;
the truck BY the arm, Johns chauffeur
following close In their steps. The
on1cer stopped before Davis, then turn
Ing upon Jake.
"What is the meaning Of thisr
my brakes wouldn't work." said
Jake with 4 defiant glare.
"And my engine went dead ON me
and was stalled" supplemented the
one-eyed man. John laughed grimly a.
he faced the policeman.
s0uees we'd better call It IN acci-
dent. ohlcer. and let It 20 at that"
Arriving at the once Of Caldwell,
Brace 4 Co. the senior gentleman Of
that nrm eoneiuded his talk with John.
'That mining machinery WAS brought
from Alaska and unloaded at Alamac
Island. You win md . launch, the
Seabird. at our private dock. One Of
our nssn can take you over II neees-'
safy." John interrupted him.
Il can run II myself II yoa lks."
sGood. Go and hook the stgR over.
then cone hack and we will tam bod
mess" With this understanding b..
tWesa tAsm, Tie two parted
Down in ne Mmbeeyard ths epi6se,
undi0aysd at The lucky escape of tie
intsndsd victim. was ssated gpea .
huge pils e boards % laid hat ths
top Of the pie oveshsnS ths bottom
By several fest. Barney and Jake, who
had rsp0ftsd to him The nisearsiaSs
Of thsir plans. were ordered By Beslas
to Fsmain IN attendance. Whereupon
the latter left them. Securing pack
age marked Dynamite" which he had
seersted near b., he carried TIE ex-
plosive to small boat which was tied
to the wharf near the motorboat, Sea-
bird. Placing the dynamite IN the fore
part Of his skiR he covered II with 4
tafpaulin, then laid fuse. The watch
man Of the lumber yard approached.
sHurry up" he warned. The boys
will be coming back from dinner SOON"
The Spider nodded with q pointing Of
his finger at what he had done. Then
sneaking away he secreted himself
where he might be ready for the decid-
ing moment. asa ii
Driving mp to the place that he might
Inspect the machinery, John dismount-
ed from his machine and stepped for
ward with the idea Of inspecting the
stun before he returned for his final
consultation with Caldwell. Pursuing
his way as directed by the latter, he
stepped directly beneath the middle Of
the lumber pile which overhung Its
great weight some twenty-feet high In
the air, and at this the watching Spi-
der gave the signal. At once the two
scoundrels upon the top gave the over
balanced heap powerful pryswith the |
lever they had improvised, and the
whole massive pile thus thrown from
its equilibrium, started down.
Warned by some slight sound from
above, the threatened one below
glanced upward Just in time to see the |
mass start Its descent. With the quick
ness of cat he made a leap, and as he,
did 80 the descending boards. falling |
about him In an avalanche Of lumber.
shut him OF from sight. And at that
same instant Barney and Jake, seeking |
to leap and make their escape. were
caught in the downpouring slide. The
one-eyed one. thrown aside by some
piunging b0ard, escaped instant death |
and scampered from the scene. The |