The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-12-11

closed, the sharp pointed iron teeth
would be pressed into the man
within.
AS the terrified girl uttered a
scream, Ram Chunder moved the lever
again and the two doors closed about
half way. Ethel's arms stretched
themselves forward In IN appeal to
the old Hindu.
"Take of the handkerchief and let
him speak for himself" was his COM
mand to Shallum, and the latter
obeyed. Instantly Johns voice arose,
anger filed, defiant.
Let me die a thousand deaths,
Ethel, before you permit that vile dog
to touch you" From behind the grat-
ing the voice of the Spider addressed
Morgan in a low tone.
Lets put a stop to this nonsense"
The Hawk showed him aside.
'Wait. There is time enough yet.
Let's see what she will do. We won't
let them put anything over on her.
Weapons in hands. they awaited the
outcome of the tragic scene In the
room beyond.
Ram Chunder spoke again.
"You both refuse7 Very well. we
shall see. silva must persuade you
little further 1t would SEEM"
Again he moved the lever, and low
| er doors almost closed. A look OF
pain shot across the face of the i'm
prisoned man. Quickly he mastered
| II and smiled at the girl, who stood
petrlfied by terror. Calmly his voice
filled the room.
"It will soon be over. You must
not give away. dearest girl" Ram
Chunder leered at him.
"No. Not so swift as you would
desire. See"
Very slowly, watching their faces
| with a cruel SMILE he again turned
the lever n bit and slowly the upper
doors began to move. Nearer and
nearer the body of the man the dead
ly fangs of steel drew until they al
most touched his person. The face
of the threatened one did not change
as 1t looked at them through the ever
narrowing aperture. Suddenly Ethel.
unable to endure the torture OF sus-
rense longer. screamed.
"Yes, yes. will grant anything you
may ask. For Gods sake stop. You ore
nOI uuIIldH-yOu hChNS' $~~.~
the words had fairly left her mouth
she had torn open her dress mt the
breast, standing before them white as
death and weaving upon her feet In
her mental agony.
Upon one side Of her Shnllum
raised a cup. The fakir, drawing q
small but very bright bladed knife
such as surgeons use. thrust 1t slow.
ly toward her breast.
Rainface, having reached the door
Of a room on the floor above. stood
listening q moment with ears that
we're as keen as VOLTS. Then us
peculiar sound from within reached
them, he noiselessly drew his gun
with one hand and began opening tho
door with the other.
Stepping into the room with the
tread Of a cat, he saw six Hindus
upon their knees on the floor looking
through an open trap into the room
below. Approaching them from be-
hind he jabbed one Of them with the
lnuzzle OF his weapon, and at that
they sprang to their feet with low ex-
clamations of surprise. One look into
his fierce. grim old face was enough,
and at his gesture their hands new
on high. Driving them silently to .
corner of the room where they hud-
died before the threatening muxsles
. Rainface stretched himself upon the
floor and keeping one eye upon his
victims, peered into the room below.
His first glance showed him the girl
with her dress torn open across her
, bosom, Shallum with the cup upon one
side of her. Ram Chunder with his
Riistening blade upon the other.
Casting his eyes upward. Morgan
saw the face Of the old Indian at the
opening, glowing with hatred upon the
Bindus below. He seised the Spider
by the arm with grip 30 fierce that
the other WINGED.
"See that cursed Indian up there.
He is going to spoil everything"
And even as he spoke the Indian
acted. Still covering the Hindu gang
with his gun in his left hand he raised
himself a little. whipped out long
and keen hunting knife and raised 1t
on high, then hurled It into the room
below.
) Spinning through the air with a
vicious whistle 1t came hurtling as
bolt Of lightning from the heavens.
Full upon the throat Of Ram Chunder
\ It fands4- y6fnk dfyS' mfSink itself
tk9fs. Ahd' Rxm with a gaspfng cry.
dropped his lancet and staggered
back. Dropping his bowl, Shalium
sprang forward to catch him.
"He's done It; :" cried Morgan from
behind the grille.
rh.rst.ng the muxslc Of his gun,
) arainst the lock, the Hawk pulled the