The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-08-22
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~ The BARRIER ~
W OF FIRE O.
~ EDs4oNp SweiL.
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tence was never concluded, for with
surprising suddenness, every light
went out. At the same time a distant
muffled explosion rent the outer air.
There followed a scene of indescrib-
able confusion. of pandemonium above
which Gwynne's voice could be heard
shouting for somebody to.stop Soames.
Hewitt gathered his scattered wits.
Keep quite still everybody" he
ordered. Dawson, find that switch. -
After an appreciate interval the
light came on, revealing a chaotic
mingling of overturned tables and
scattered or broken crockery. There
was no sign of Enid or Soames or
the native walters in the white coats.
The man who had been nearest the
actor had vanished, too. He returned
almost Immediately. wild-eyed and
breathless.
IT'S the Yellow Seven" he painted
excitedly They've fired the forest
That swine must have known all
about it; he's been telling trees for
weeks. The whole estates surround
ed by circle of flame. It'll be upon
us before we know where we arer'
The real Chard Bromley came for
ward.
THE assistants had better get their
men out at once he said, land be
gin clearing a line round the outer
boundary of the estate. AS far as
I've been able to gather, the outer
sections have been more recently
planted. There's still "a sporting
chance. if they all pull together, of
saving the bulk Of the rubber. Which
is Mr.. Richards?"
A man standing close behind
Hewitt held up his arm.
lis there a boat to get the ladies'
away in?"
There was motor-boat, sir; but
I'm afraid this Soames Teller will
have taken it."
Get down after him as quickly as
you can. Turn out the coolies-you
others-and get busy" He raped out
the words like a man accustomed to
command.
Dawson" said the Commissioner
hoarsely, collect the ladies and get
them down to the shore. The rest of
us had better hurry to the scene of
action right away"
Dawson, amiable, undisturbed, con-
Quoted his ladies through the avenue
of waving rubber. chatting all the
while with the volubility of a Cook s
guide. The light from the encircling
conflagration aided their progress
and they emerged on to a narrow
strip Of sand to see two figures knee
deep in the shadows, in the act of
launching a boat.
As Dawson dashed forward, a dark
form shot from the water, ducked
smartly to avoid Soame's fire, then
judgment Of panther. The two men
closed in frenzied combat and the
actors pistol spoke again. The bull
let must have singed his assailants
side-so close did the flash seem
and the girl who had called herself
Enid Bromley uttered a little grasp
ing cry. She fell against the boat,
one hand pressed to her side. then
rolled awkwardly downward. splash
ing beneath the undulating surface
of the incoming sea.
There were two things ~uppermost
in Dawson's mind-to aid the man
who had tackled Soames and to save
the vessel from capsizing. He was
relieved from the former duty. how
ever, by the sound of an exultant
Got you-my friend" as he came up
with them.
"Penningtonr'
You can bet your lifer' laughed
the other, swapping something over
SOame's wrists. 1 started out with
young Gwynne. but fancied this'd
amusement'd take place.
HE paid me to do this" he said
DULY.
Pennington nodded.
Il don't think I care what happens
to me-now. Every hand was against
me over there. l didn't let myself
realize what all this preparation ac-
tLally meant. If I'd been normal,
I'd never have shot Richardson
her"
A man came racing from the dark
mss. liz bA4PpS0 ONCl d AOOl, ISCON-
cred himself and recognized Soames.
You swiner' he screamed. You
darned swine, The coolies have
struck. * They're leaning on their
axes down there now. Chai-Hungs
told them to and they're doing moth
ing till he tells them otherwise. This
is your doing!'
1t came to Pennington in a flash.
Shut up, Bourne he said quietly.
Il think I've found a way out"
The other choked down his wrath.
''Soames," broke in Pennington,
have you got your makeup box
handy?"
Soames started.
ITS in my kit somewhere"
Then come on, for the love of
heaven. Bourne, nip down and tell
Hewitt I'm here"