The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-01-08

GCo c9H9S&aee. -eekSSs
pull agnin. the pair were upon him.
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'll we do with him-knife
him r painted the Spider with q last vi
cious kick. The other man pushed him
aside.
mo. I've got better scheme. He's
onto us and We may need him As
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 q 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 a 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.
"It's me-the clerk. Telephone call
for you down In the ONCE" was the re-
Spouse. Wondering whom the person
might be. the Hawk descended and
with rage. he was forced to contain
himself as he listened to the words Of
Davis as they came over the wire.
Ethel and were drugsed while
asleep and taken out on the bay in a
ski1 towed by launch. When miles
from shore, the rascals cut us loose,
leaving Ms In the skin. in which were
internal machines. We managed to
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 i've
O'Clock"
"Hell's furies !" gritted the Hawk be-
meath his breath. Then he cried anx-
iously:
"Was Ethel hurt-or your
mo. But 1t was a 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
I'VE o'clock trolley, but II we move
fast enough. maybe we can get them
ON the route" Hurriedly he began
throwing things into their grips.
Get them; howf' demanded the
Spider as he followed the others &C
en h. In ivpplv - q
ing evidence that lay about.
Bring that box Of r. N. T., and I'll
show you" returned the Hawk. Thrust
ing the package Of high explosive into
the grip, the pair hurristily left the
house.
They hurried to nearby garage and
secured q light machine. Getting into
It and giving Il full power. they went
racing down the road h the direction
Of the approaching trolley, while Nor
gaa reAearsed b hss confederate the
details Of the fresh dastardly plot
which had flashed through his mind
a. he heard the words Of Davis that be
and the giri were coming On the cleo
trsc road. Soose miles out In the
country the eyes Of Morgan fell upon
the branch Il tree that crossed the
rails, and be drought the asachine to q
sudden stop.
This place WIN da. Wen throw this
rope ever tAat limb, tie the T. N. T. to
the eod q Il AMI then haul the box
Il up to the branch. Then
we1l run this light line through the
grass and across the rails. When the
car eonaes along, Of courss the wheels
will cot tie rope, and down will come
the expaoslve "a top Of the ear. And
when tAat happens. down will 60 rock
A-by. baby and AL. Get meT'
"Sure." returned the Spider a. he he
san whir'lng the rope. preparatory to .
cast over the limb. "You've got great |
head On you for Jokes. Morgan. You're
Bufe some humorist."
@Cut ost that stun and get down to !
swsre his companion, as he |
look 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
follow.
Within the approaching car, John
vas standing upon the front platform,
'moking his morning cigar. Ethel
at his side with one arm
Tipped lovingly through his own. Be
ng somewhat behind time, the motor
nan had all power turned on and they
we're slipping over the rails at the rate
4 nearly a mile a minute. Suddenly
'ohn gave shout.
"See that rope across the track
That means"
But 90 great was the speed Of the
ar that the wheels had passed over
he object before he could finish his
entence. severing It and releasing the