The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-10-10

pull again, the PAIR were upon nlU.
Kicking and striking him over the
head with the butts of their weapons.
they laid him PROSTATE and uncon-
scious upon the boards of the wharf.
"What'n we do with him-knife
him?" painted the Spider with last VI
cous kick. The other man pushed him
aside.
mo. I've got better scheme. Hes
onto us and we may need him as n
ransom offering to save our own
necks." Gagging and pinioning the un-
fortunate one, they lugged him to the
inn, and the Spider, going up to
his room lowered rope. This Nor
gan made fast to the inanimate form.
and rejoining his companion the pair
hauled the other into the room. There
they slowed him away in closet, and
sat down to plan what they should do
upon the approaching day now close
at hand
A rap at the door startled them, and
Morgan cried out. asking who 1t was
Its me-the clerk. Telephone call
for you down in the Office" was the re-
sponse. Wondering whom the person
with rage, he was forced to contain
himself as he listened to the words Of
Davis as they came over the wire.
"Ethel and l were drugged while
asleep and taken out on the bay in u
skiff towed by launch. When miles
from shore. the rascals cut us loose.
leaving us in the skiff, in which were
Internal machines. We managed 10
free ourselves and leap overheard just
before the explosion. We were res
cued by fishing boat and landed here
at Seadrift. We will leave for the
inn on the trolley, which goes at FIVE
o'clock
"Hell's furiesl'' gritted the Hawk be-
meath his breath. Then he cried anx-
iously:
"Was Ethel hurt-or you?"
mo. But it was close call"
"Thank Heaven" he called back as
he hung up the instrument. Still rag
ing, he rushed to the room of his fell
low scoundrel.
They've escaped again, curse them"
he swore, as he jerked the other man
to his feet. "They are coming on the
ANC " tipNh tiotiSSy but we ihcfS
fast enough, maybe we can get them
on the route" Hurrfedly he began
throwing things into their grips.
"Get them; how?" demanded the
Spider as he followed the others ac-
tions in gathering up the incriminat-
ing evidence that lay about.
Bring that box of T. N. T., and TN
show you" returned the Hawk. Thrust
ing the package of high explosive into
the grip, the pair hurriedly left the
house.
They hurried to a nearby garage and
secured light machine. Getting into
it and giving it full power, they went
racing down the road in the direction
of the approaching trolley, while Nor
gan rehearsed to his confederate the
details of the fresh dastardly plot
which had flashed through his mind
as he heard the words of Davis that he
and the girl were coming on the cleo
trfc road Some miles out In the
country the eyes of Morgan fell upon
the branch of a tree that crossed the
rails, and he brought the machine TO a
sudden stop.
1HlS DIdtt VIII uo- we IL tliGbm tltS
rope over that limb, tie the T. N. 4. to
the end of it and then haul the box
containing it up to the branch. Then
we'll run this light line through the
grass and across the rails. When the
car comes along, of course the wheels
will cut the rope, and down Will come
the explosive on top of the car. And
when that happens, down will go rock
ably, baby and all. Get mef
"Sure," returned the Spider as he be-
gan whirling the rope, preparatory to a
cast over the limb. You've got great
head on you for jokes. Morgan. You're
sure some hurnorist."
"Cut out that stuff and get down to
business" swore his companion, as he
took out the explosive. Five minutes
later the trap was set, and entering
their machine, they drove 1T TO the
top Of nearby hill, from whence they
could survey the scene which was to-
follow.
Within the approaching car, Jols,s
was standing upon the front PLATFORM
smoking his morning cigar, Ethel
standing at his side with one arm
slipped lovingly through his own. Be
ing somewhat behind time, the motor
man had all power turned on and they
were slipping over the rails at the rats
of nearly a mile a minute. Suddenly
John gave shout.
"See that rope across the track !
That means"
But SO great was the speed of the
car that the wheels had passed over
the object before he could finish his
sentence, seyering it and releasing the
hell box from above. Down 1t dropped
as a plummet, and had IT not been for
the speed at which the car was go
ing, must have landed fairly upon the
roof of the car. As 1t was, It struck
upon the track Immediately behind the
rear platform and exploded with tre-
Ynan5pIfc roar