Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1925-03-21
The Mystery Road
Bye PHILLIPS OPPENF1EIM
cpydrtt Brown
CHAPTER V-Continued

We've done campaigning, both OF
u.s. he said Il read Of you when SOU
led your regiment into Germany.
was IN a trench myself for five days al
q stretch Those things don't really
matter Five days was quite long
enough there In the mud We didn't
worry about soap then. Get on with it,
please"
Number Twenty-nlne closed his eyes
Sc he shed his last garments. Then he
drew on Gerald's. Presently the gov
ernor laughed.
Upon my word" he declared. 1T is
better than ! thought | have ordered
the barrier into tie next cell He is a
prisoner himself so there Is not much
chance Of his blabbing. Come along
We viii be back in five minutes" he
added, turning TO Gerald. "ln time to
take your orders for lunch. eh2 Give
you time 70 settle down"
They passed out Gerald felt a queer
sense Of loneliness as the door closed
behind him. He looked around him
half fearfully. Everything was worse
than he had feared The floor was OF
concrete, and there was not a single
article OF furniture OF any description
IN the room except a straw mattress
already full Of holes. The floor had
apparently not been swept for weeks
While he sat there, however, there was
the click OF a key In the door and a
bury Russian entered. Without a
word he commenced some effort al
cleansing the place when be had
finished he threw In rug and dlsap-
peared Gerald breathed a little more
freely. Then he heard footsteps OUT
side again. The governor and Mum
Der Twenty-nine entered the latter
curiously changed in appearance.
"Ry all the saints" the governor
chuckled. Il never realized that the
barber was so wonderful person :!
This little scheme Of mine marches
well. Now, then. for your share"
He handed a fountain pen to Gerald
who Endorsed the draft he had brought
wrote out a further check for thou
sand pounds. and handed them. to-
Eether with his American passport TO
Krossneys The latter thrust docu.
ment into Number Twenty.nlne's
pocket
you may mot know H." he said.
''but you are now the owner OF five
hundred acres OF forest where oil may
some day be found"
He roared with laughter. Neither
Of the young men moved q muscle.
"Now listen. both Of YOU" he went
on. the only automobile IN the town
awaits me outside. We depart In n
minute Say Your farewells, YOU two.
Al one o'clock tomorrow morning" he
roncluded turning to Gerald. you viii
be moved into cell i0l and later YOU
will SO to attend your own funeral
From now until one or perhaps half
past one tomorrow morning. you viii
have to make the best OF t. | Will
come and superntend your removal
myself and let you know that all is
we'll"
~ shall try TO sleep until then.
Gerald announced. II am very tired"
You shall have a little meal In my
office In the intervals OF being
changed" the governor promised him.
~ shall lock the door aud no one viii
know Now. Mr. Harmon P. Cross,
please. American Spectator who has
bought my Oh fields, come with me.
l am going 70 drive YOU TO the train .
Number Twenty nine held out both
bis hands 20 HIS dellyerer There was
simple dignity in his few words
"Sir" he said. Il know nothing Of
you, hnt my life viii not BE- long
enough for me 10 express my gratitude.
The day after tomorrow
THE day after tomorrow there will
be much for lis to talk about" Gerald
Interrupted ''What have done I
have done joyfully. So far II has been
much easier than | expected"
The governor and hts charge took
their leave The door closed behind
them Gerald heard their footsteps
dle away on the paved Hoor. He
threw himself down on the mattress
and tried 70 sleep 1, was an lmpos-
sihle task bur there was plenty 10
think about AT one o'clock the same
burly Russian entered hearing howl
of something which was hair stew. half
soup. Gerald smelt Il. looked al II. and
set Il In distant corner Of the room
Then he walked hack and forth. count.
ting how many PAGES II took him from
wall 70 wall Presently. with q throh
OF JOY, he remembered his cigarette
case tie smoked two cigarettes
Afrerward ne dozed fer little time
Toward evening ne amused himself
'ryiuE TO make his predecessors daily
jump Il was mt until the seventh Mt
tempt that ne succeeded and then the
rust OF the bars cut SO deeply into his
palms that he let SO almost al once.
Az eight o'clock the Russian appeared
tgaiu Win howl 81 soup similar 10
NE last Gerald waved Il away
mot hungry" the man asked n
German
Gerald shook his head Soweh w cr