Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-12

crouched down In the darkness, his
finger on the trigger, ready for any
| emergency.
4. b. Smith was standing in the
hall, aud behind him three hard
featured men from the Yard. Be-
| fore him was DR.. Fail, imperturb-
able and obeying as ever
You are perfectly at liberty to
| search the house." he was saying.
land. as far as Count Poltavo is con-
cerned, there is no mystery what
ever. He is one OF the people who
have been attracted here by curiosi-
ty. and at the present moment he is
inspecting the wonders of our beau
tiful establishment"
There was something of truth in
his ironic tone, and Il. b. was
puzzled.
"Will you kindly produce Count
Poltavo?"
with pleasure" said the secre-
tary.
1t was at that moment that the
lift door opened and Poltavo stepped
out, pistol in hand.
He saw the group and took in its
significance. He had now to decide
in that moment with whom he should
run. His mind was made up quick
ly; he knew he had no frieAI IL In
the police force; VIII. '~~ S1osperi-
ty awaited him must come from Far
rington and his influence.
AN interesting weapon you have
iv1 ha ,s.<<l4 ,
DO l understand that you have
been inspecting the art treasures of
the Secret House in some fear of
your life?"
Not at ALL" said Poltavo. as he
slipped the pistol into his pocket. II
have merely been engaged in a little
pistol practice In the underground
shooting gallery; 1t is an interesting
place; you should see It,"
DR.. Falls eyes dio GO, leave the
face Of his late prisoner. and Poltavo
saw an approving CLEAN in his dark
eyes.
Il should not, ordinarily, take the
trouble to inspect your shooting
gallery" said 7. b. Smith with a
smile. because I know you are not
speaking the exact truth, Count Pol
tavo. My own impression is that
you have every reason to be thank
full for my arrival. In the present
circumstances. perhaps, it would be
advisable to look over portion of
your domain which, so far, has
escaped your inspection"
The doctor shrugged his should
ers.
TT Is hardly a shooting gallery.
but since it is so far removed from
the living portion of the house we
sometimes use 1t for that purpose"
he said. IL have not the slightest
objection to your descending"
T. B. entered the lift. It was in
darkness. as q result OF Poltavo's
precautions.
II will go alone" said T. b.. and
Fall, with little bow. closed the
gates and the lift descended.
They waited some time; Fall had
the power. from where he was. of
closing the gates below and bring
ing the lift up again. This Poltavo
knew to his cost, but there were
good reasons why the doctor should
not. exercise his knowledge. and In a
few minutes the LIT came back to
its original position and T. B.
stepped out.
THANK you, I have learned all
want to know" he said withsa keen
glance at Poltavo. Really, you have
an extraordinary house, DR.. Fall"
TT is always open to your inspec-
tion." said the doctor, with heavy
smile.
T. B. was lingering the little cleo
trio lamp, which he carried In his
hand, In an absent minded manner
Presently he put 1t into his pocket.
and. with nod to his host, walked
across the hall. He turned sudden
ly and addressed Poltavo.
when you were trapped in this
house." he said, quietly, land expect
ed, considerable trouble in escaping
from the trap, you took the precau-
ton, like the careful man that you
are, OF inscribing message which
might aid those who came to your
relief. This message has now served
Its purpose" he smiled. as he saw
the look of CONSERVATION on Polta-
vo's face, land you win be well adj
vised to invite your frieno :, wipe
it OUT; and with another nod he
passed from the house. followed by
his three men.
what does this mean2" asked
Fall, quickly.
IL" stammered Poltavo, nust-
cred for once In his life, wrote on
the side Of the lift few words only,
nothing discriminating. my dear doc
tor, Just line to say that I was
imprisoned below"
With curse Fall dashed into the
little elevator.
Bring a light" he said, and struck
a match to read the scrawl which
Poltavo had written. fortunately
there was nothing In It which be-
trayed the great secret of the house.
but 1t was enough, as he realized, to
awaken the dormant suspicion, even
supposing 1t was dormant, Of this
tndefatigable detective.
you have made nice mess of
things" he said to Poltavo, sternly,
"see that you do not make a greater.
We will forgive you once, but the
second attempt will be fatal"
To be continued.)