Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-03-10

CHAPTER xvIl.-continued.


mistake; the only chance / ever had
Of marrying in high social circles. But
Ill. I'll be a lady tomorrow, so let's
let the poor devil 60. Wrap him up,
and lay him away out in the garage.
The walls are two-foot solid stone;
he'll stay buried there. all right"
Hogan growled In derision yet 1t
was evident that she and Hobart
would have their way. Some one
brought a rope, which was deity
wound about him, West continuing 10
feign Inconsistencies. He secretly
hoped this condition might result in
some carelessness on their part. in
either speech or action. Anyway it
would undoubtedly save him from
further brutal treatment. He had no
reason to suspect that his ruse was
questioned. The fellows spoke freely
while making him secure, but lie
gained very little information from
their conversation-not hint as to
where Natalie was confined, or how
long It was proposed to hold them
prisoners. Then "Red" and Dave
lugged his limp body through several
rooms, out upon a back porch, finally
dragging him down the steps and
along a cement driveway, letting him
lie there a moment in the dark, while
one of them unlocked the door. The
next instant he was careIessly thrown
inside, and the door forced back into
place He could hear Hogan swear
outside, and then the sound of both
mems feet on the drive as they de
parted
With a struggle West managed to
sit up, but could scarcely attempt
more, as his arms were bound closely
to his sides. The darkness about him
was intense, and, with the disappear
ance Of tie two men up the steps, an
outside sounds hard ceased. He knew
he had been flung into the garage and
was resting there on the hard cement
floor lie could neither feel nor see
any machine, nor was thee probably
the slightest prospect of his getting
out unalded
What was that? He listened, for
an instant doubtful if he had really
heard anything. Then he actually
heard a sound. Il doubted no longer.
yet made no effort to move, even
holding his breath in suspense. There
was movement Of some kind back
there-a cautious movement; seem
ingly the slow advance of something
across the floor, dog perhaps. Vests
heart throbbed with apprehension
suppose 1t was a dog, he bad no
means of protection from the brute
Cold sweat tingled on his flesh; there
was nothing he could do, no place
Where he could 60 The thing was
moving nearer; vet surely It could not
be q dog; no dog would ever creep
Ike that. lie could bear the strain
no longer; it was beyond endurance.
WHAT'S moving back thereT' he
asked in a hoarse whisper.
There was a moment of utter 81
lence; then, mans voice said in low,
cautious tone.
The fellow amt dead, Mac; any
now he seems able to talk yet"
An right, Wen find out what he's
got to sag-go on along"
West sat up, his heart bounding
with sudden remembrance.
MY Cd MeAdams. is that your"
You have the name-who's speak
incf"
Matt West Good Cd. but this is
Ike a miracle. I'd played my last card.
Zone here, one of you, and cut these
strings l eanuot even move or stand
up. i It really you, Mac? Yes, yes,
! am all right; they bruised me up a
b'a Of course, but that is nothing. Now
nave a chance to pay them out But
VINO are with your and how did you
come 70 be hereT'
AcAdams ran his knife blade
through the lashings, feeling for them
= the dark. Neither could see the
'lher but West realized that another
man had crept up on the opposite side
~ hia and crouched there silently in
tie hlackness.
Need any help. MaeY" the latter
Questioned in I whisper.
No. I've got him cut loose. This
= The lad I told rou about. Carlyn.
17a go on back, and. as soon as West
Er1s Emhered up a bit. and hear his
Story Tell join you there. Then well
AA." low the ground lies"
=. r fellow crept away unseen, and
=. Aaams gripped Vests hand.
mr. out this is mighty good luck,
IN boy lie blurted out. Il was afraid
IA. gone down in that yacht last
foa verel How did you know
q sbau, it?n
stumbled onto the story. the way
--sI detectives solve their mysteries.
pay . stumbled On some Of II. and
" resi- dug ont for mysef. II won't
ioas 70 explain and perhaps you
e-eF understand They told zoe 81
when ] got back anout The
heine tied M at the sfnn'c--
~ ran $40 e,ra iow4