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Show wL PerilW ffiunder Mo&feife ( I I Hl ALBERT X- 5M,TH CYRUS TOWN SEND BRADY IK I EPISODE 7. 8YNOP3I3. & 8itt nd Hawk M"-n. -e mora of tha estate of John rarr, miner disagree over the disposition of the profile of the mine. Morg-an, seeking- the gold nd " J1'' 'or hlmaelf. and uniueperted hy Davie, makea several attempt! on the , life of the latter, aanletrd hy an accom plice named Bplder Melius Rtiaplrlnn la diverted to a mysterloua hermit. Mlraru-oualy Mlraru-oualy eacaplng the lateat attempt on hla ire, Pavla. In company with the othera. accidentally dlscovera Carra hoard of gold. They remove the sold to the cahln but In the night It la taken away by the hermit. Morgan, feeling that auaplclon la beginning to fall upon him. fakea an attempt at-tempt on hla own life. They rind Carr'a mine. The Hawk and the Spider had gal-Inped gal-Inped off, leaving Davis In a fiendish trap of their own ln-entlon. While he was lying drugged In the shark they hod bent a sapling down and secured It In this position hy means of a rope. Then taking another laaso they had fattened It to the tip of the sapling, running the other end through an unhourded piece In the roof of the shack and fastening the noose about hla neck. Having completed this nefarious ne-farious work, they built a fire close to the rope which hound the sapling to Ita hent position, knowing that as aoon as the flames reached the rope they would eat It In two, whereupon the tree would spring erect with terrific ter-rific force, touring the man apart after the manner of one of the fiendish contrivances con-trivances of the Inquisition. This done they beat a hasty retreat, leaving their victim to his fate. Ethel Davis, awakened from her sleep in the home cabin at midnight by an evil dream, picked up a copy of Aesop's Fables from the table and read until she became convinced that John was threatened hy some great danger. Immediately she aroused Bridget, and accompanied by Ilalnface went dashing to the rescue. Within the ahack John, aroused by the smoke from the stupor Into which the drugged coffee had put him, awoke to find himself bound and with a rope around hla neck. Though he could feel and dimly see the lariat that led from hla neck through the roof, he could not see where it terminated and beyond knowing that he was in desperate des-perate danger had little Idea of what had taken place since he drank the drugged cup. Vigorously he began writhing and tugging at his bonds. The smell of the smoke and the crinkling of the Are still further alarmed him. Already the Are was burning into the rope which held the tree which was bent like a bow, and led on hy the loose powder which the pair had scattered about, the flames had begun to attack the building ft-1 self. I'ungcnt wreaths were forcing themselves through the cracks and Interstices In-terstices of the building and the captive cap-tive could feel the hot breath of the rising flames upon his cheeks. Plainly he was in imminent danger of helm. burned alive If nothing else, and lie redoubled his struggles to loose himself him-self from the thongs which fastened him to the bunk. Warned hy the finding of Davis' dead horse by the side of the trull that their assistance wns sorely needed, need-ed, Ethel and the Imllnn galloped wildly wild-ly along the path. Reaching the shack she pulled her horse violently back upon Its haunches. One glance around told her the whole damnable story. Through the circling smoke she saw the tree bent over the shack, Its restraining rope already half eaten through by the fire. as well as the lariat that hung from the sapling through the hole In the roof. The door of the little building was tightly latched, but rushing through the Are and smoke she struck It with the Impetuosity of a flying bomb. It gave way before her ami she burst Into the room. Through the smoke she saw thnt the lower end of the lasso was fastened fas-tened about the neck of the man she loved, and knew that In a second or two more unless she saved him his head must be torn from his body. His face was towanl her, contorted from the violence of his struggle to escape his fetters. At sight of her his lips parted. "Hurry." he cried. "Make haste." Hut he had DO need to urge the girl to speed. Pausing but long enough . gaajl to take In the scene with a lightning jX 11' glance, she leaped forward, knife in hund. One sweep of the blade and the rope was severed close above her lover's nock, and the loose end springing spring-ing up twisted Itself in. .null a rafter of the shack. Nor was she a second too soon. Scarcely had the released lasso colled serpent-!lke about the beam than the lire-gnawed rope without with-out parted. Leaping t the upright like a Cul-llver Cul-llver bursting the bonds of Lilliputians, Lillipu-tians, It tore he roof from the structure struc-ture as though It hud been roof of paper, flinging it In fragments high In the air and scattering the remnants aver the rocks far and wide. The wild hurst of flume which followed I arose to the height of the tallest trees, while mjrrlada of iparki wenl Boating away In the din morning light Miles upon their way the fleeing Hawk and Spider, turning In their saddles, saw the upward leap of flames and the faintly twinkling apnrks, laughing at the sight. "That's good-by for Davis, and he damned to him," said Morgan as they again urged their horses on. All hut overcome by the exertion of her furious ride, the nervous suspense she had endured while In the saddle and the shock which had nearly floored her at sight of John's deadly peril, Ethel collapsed weakly against the door Jamb In the midst of the down-poih- of sparks and dust. Ilalnface. rushing past her, fell upon Davis, anil the girl almost Immediately recovering recover-ing her strength went to his assistance. assist-ance. Together they dragged the still prostrated one to (he cool air with- ut and laid him upon the grass, finding find-ing that save for the fact that he was so stiffened from his bonds tlint ha was practically unable to move he wns uninjured. "Where are Morgan and Hellas?" demanded Ethel. Duvis shook his head. "I don't know, Ethel. In fnct, I cannot explain It. I suppose that dastardly das-tardly Hermit has been at work again." The girl's head shook. "I do not believe It," was her nn-swer. nn-swer. Taking his hand she seated herself beside him as she told him of the reading of the Fable by old Aesop Laughing lightly at her suspicions and telling her that she was silly to believe be-lieve such things, he added that It at least would do no harm for them to go to the station and make inquiries. At once she assented. "Yes. But I am not going to leave you again. I shall go with you." "Me, too," added RaHnface. With Davis mounted upon the horse of Ilalnface. Ethel upon her's and the Indian loping along In their rear, the trio gained the station some two hours later. Going to the agent they began making tneir inquiries. "Yes," responded the latter. "Two men such as you describe took the 7 :20 express for Frisco. The next train to leave here is the 10:30, which arrives there at 4 p. m." Davis started to write a telegram, hut Anally listening to the arguments of Ethel, desisted. "It would be much better to sur-prlse sur-prlse them," she said. "Have your own w-ay," was the good-natured reply, and tearing up the message they turned their ateps toward the little western town across the track. Ethel pointed to a small hut well stocked general store such as are found in towns of this character. char-acter. "I would like to make a few purchases pur-chases before we depart," she suld, and John Immediately acquiescing sue started upon her errnnd. Ten-thirty found them hoarding tho Frisco train. Morgan and Hellas debarking from their coach at San Francisco, crossed the platform arm In arm. The former was speaking. "I'll engage rooms for us at the Mackenzie. You wait around here until un-til the next train arrives. If he escaped, es-caped, he will be upon It sure. And I want to know. You might have use for some money, so here It Is. When you report to me later, ask for Mr. Hawk." Handing the Spider a big roll of bills he departed, and a short time later engaged rooms at the hotel mentioned. Left behind on guard and strolling strol-ling aimlessly about, the Spider was ballad by a taxi cab driver, and approaching ap-proaching him recognized a pal of old. Drawing the latter beyond the earshot ear-shot of others the Spider spoke in a n hlsper. "You've done some good tricks for me in the past, mil, and I want to give yon a chance to earn a little coin. I'll be across the street. If you get the right parties I'll give yon the high sign, and If you drop them over the cliff there'll be a thousand dollars In It for you. You know me." "You're nil right and a good feller. But what chance is there that these birds will fly along this way 7" The Spider winked knowingly. "Ever hear of such a thing as a telegraph line. Bill?" "Seems to me I onct read of one, Spider. Why?" "Well, there's one of them lines running back to the town where they was to board the train, and there's an agent there that Is supposed to nnswer honest questions. That ought to be enough for you. Now I'll beat It across the way to that saloon and If you land them In your cab, stop there a moment for your slice of the coin." Without saying more he walked in (lie direction he hud Indicated. As the 4 o'clock train drew Into the depot. John and Ethel stepping from their ear. found themselves confronted hy a respectful mannered chauffeur who pointed to his cab and begged their patronage. "Might as well take you as anyone, any-one, 1 suppose," said John, assisting the girl Into the conveyance. "Take us to the Mackenzie." He sealed himself him-self beside his companion. Across the street In front of the saloon In which the Spider was hidden, hid-den, the driver stopped his machine. "Just a moment, lady and gent," he rallrl to them as Jie crossed the sidewalk toward the door of the place. "I've got to leave a message here for a friend, then I'll he on the way." Not liking the actions of the other. Davis, arising In his seat, found himself him-self able to see above the low swinging swing-ing door of the saloon. Within the Interior he could make out the fnrm of their driver in earnest conversation with a man whose back was toward mem ann wnom he could not recog-nlre. recog-nlre. A moment later he saw the stranger pass the chnuffeur a large wad of money, whereupon the latter at once returned to the m.tchlne and began driving them away at a high rate of speed. Rendered somewhat suspicious from what he had seen but not wishing to alarm Ethel, Davis said nothing but kept his eyes closely glued upon the man In front. Suddenly Sud-denly John burst forth, tapping on the window to attract the attention of the one who drove. "Here, you! This Is not the way to the Mackenzie. Stop this machine." Tho only reply of the one at the wheel was to step harder upon the accelerator. accel-erator. John grasped the girl by the arm. "I believe the man Is mad. He's heading us straight for the bluff, (iet out of here quick!" Opening the door he stepped forth and stood upon the running board, holding Ethel flrm-lj flrm-lj as he glanced ahead. Close beyond was the almost sheer descent of tho bluff, and upon It the machine was charging with the speed of a running horse. With hut a moment remaining remain-ing Davis hesitated no longer. liaising liais-ing the girl In his arms he sprang. By good luck they landed In a hedge, arising a moment later unhurt. The cab, now a Miort distance ahead of thern, was swerving shurply Into the fence which guarded the bluff, and even as they looked they saw the driver leap from his seat and alight safely upon the ground. The next Instant the cab had crashed through the fence and gone over the edge, to be smashed into kindling wood below. Davis started toward the rascal who i had attempted to murder them, his blood boiling with rage. Staring at the approaching one as though confronted by a ghost, the as- LgggT -f5B tUakflKaW- ,ta. Bl ' IBiV f fjM V ggV Jggg M 4B IflgggStv,. M kP&tl 3agt. m HggglSMpligggW W m JK- Jgg? Lfcav sjMafaUaflp am KaMu LSgaVlfMZ Hi vsggggggggggggggggggggE aHBfl HauBlljvrikK DwffgaBBBBaBLjggggggggggggggaW ggggggggl aHHT - x awlfBEaHflaHaK tSHaHkWjSTv s KSbPM JaXaBBBBBBBItVaBCa? vOSirTaKSif aV V (t ' "V iBK rlvJ (Hjan V ggggV" uylC'.. t B .afaJR: LjLjggggggLjg7 fTaat jKbf ,, XjBBBBBBBBBI "It Would Be Much Better to Surprise Them," She Said. tonlshed driver stood white of face and with trembling knees. Then as he saw the light of rage that burned lo the eyes of the onstrldlng man. with a gasping cry of. "(bind (lod! How did you get out?" he slid over the edge of the cliff and vanished in a shower of dirt and following stones. Davis, upon the verge of following him. so great was his anger, was restrained re-strained by the girl who clung desperately des-perately to him. At last, permitting himself to be Influenced hy her entreaties, en-treaties, he took her arm and they, proceeded upon their way on foot. Arriving at their hotel they registered regis-tered and took a suite of rooms, one for Ethel and one for John, while Hnlnfiicc. who had accompanied them on the train but had ridden in the smoker and walked to the hotel, 011-sconsed 011-sconsed himself In the living room which the rooms of the other two adjoined. ad-joined. Wearied from their adventures of the day. they retired for a short rest. From a corner of the lobby Morgan j WatCbad their arrival, then going Info the bar paced Impatiently up and down i as he awaited the arrival of the ! Spider. Not long after that gentleman I entered, anil the Hawk drew him Into n private booth. "Well !" he exclaimed angrily. "They I turned up right side up with care, as usual and all our work has been In vain. Explain yourself." Coolly Bellas Bel-las answered him. "I gave Hill a thousand dollars to dump them over the bluff In his machine, ma-chine, but It seems that they got wise to what was coming and leaped Just as the taxi went over. However. It wasn't no fault of mine." Morgan leaped to his reet with a savage curse. "A cool thousand gone to the dogs and nothing done. D'ye think I'm made of money?" The Spider laughed. "Take it easy, Hawk. I did my best, and what's a thousand with millions mil-lions In the mine for the orphans :" "Yes. And we're the orphans," muttered mut-tered the Hawk. Having taken his rest, Davis Immediately Im-mediately began his Inquiries for Morgan. Mor-gan. From the bartender of the hotel buffet he learned that the latter hud h en there, and had been henrd to remark re-mark that he was going to Colefllls In search of some old friends and a faro game. Remembering that this was the place where he had located his cousin at the time he had come to advise him of the death of John Cnrr and the terms of the will, John started start-ed for that well but unfavorably known resort of gamblers and their kind. Disappointment wns his portion. por-tion. Morgan was not to be found, and he returned to Kthel empty handed. hand-ed. Resolved to continue the search In the morning, they parted for the night with a farewell embrace, Rnln-fuce Rnln-fuce stretching himself upon the rug from which he could command both rooms, a gun at his side. In order that they might hear the old Indian should he cnll, both John and the girl left the door of their room ajar. Morgan from the dark recess at Colelllls from which he hnd watched the coming ami departure of Davis, turned to the Spider. "He'll go back to the Mackenzie. My room Is 8,'IL', right across the hall from theirs, (lo and engage ,'VJO, which Is next to mine. Keep watch on them. I'll put old Ran Chunder on the Job. We'll come up the lire escape." Off went the Spider as directed, while the Hawk going down a street paused opposite a store which bore the sign : "Ham Chunder. Dealer In East India Wares. To Learn the Future, Consult the Yogi." The plnce was dark, hut without hesitation Morgan pounded upon the portal. Before his summons a young Hindu In European dress opened the door, nml after a brief scrutiny admitted ad-mitted him to the Interior of a room In which Oriental goods were laM y displayed. On every hand cabinets, tables, ru,?s, laces and Ivories were strewn, but with scarcely a glance at than the incomer roughly demanded to see the Yogi. Quietly but firmly the attendant demurred, whereupon for gan, advancing upon hlin threateningly, threatening-ly, raised Ills voice In anger. WHhln an adjoining room a verv old Indian fakir, hearing the noise without, arose. The room In which he stood was Atted after the manner of a Hindu temple. Images of Vishnu and Slvu squatted upon their pedestals. ped-estals. Tin' room was low eelllnged, curved with grotesque an'liials en twined with altars placed before the figures of the gods. Incense bowls sal upon queer tables, their thin col. limns of smoke ascending perpendicularly perpendicu-larly In the still air. The long labia w filch occupied 'I enter of die room contained a gong, a curious casket, a basket and a crystal ball Listening for a moment to the racket outside. Ham Chunder Stepped to a peephole and peered out. Seeing Morgan Mor-gan he hastily donned a long embrold civil coat and placed a turban upon bis head. Wrinkled, skinny and evil looking look-ing In the mellow light, he sealed him t-lf at a (aide and threw an extra pinch of incense upon the nearest bowl. Then striking a light tap with a hammer upon file gong he Axed his gar.e Intently upon the crystal ball. Sbalium, the attendant without, hearing the stroke, turned from Mor gan and opened the floor. Solemnly Ham Chunder addressed him. "The Holy SUa has revealed a stranger without. Admit the Sahlh Morgan." The Hawk, entering, strode straight before the ancient one. "At your old tricks," he laughed "Cut out that Siva stuff and we'll get down to business." Monotonously came 'he reply of the fakir. "Vishnu and Siva hunger and thirst. You know " Willi an exclamation of disgust the Hawk thrust a roll of money Into the "' ' aanlalggal I , i - A ' I&tiaT ? Jar ,. . vstt f .. By Good Luck They Landed Safely. yellow claw which promptly extended Itself as the roll appeared. "Here's a lac of rupees a thousand thou-sand dollars for them, and you." Thrusting the money within his coat, the old man replied : "It Is little but the gods accept. What does the lord of the day ask In return?" "The life of an enemy. Listen." Io whispers he told him what he desired de-sired the other should know, and Ram Chunder, with a nod wuved his hand mysteriously. "The Holy Siva so decrees. The casket of death will serve." At another stroke upon the gong Shallum again appeared. Taking a basket he packed within the same a small Idol of Siva, Incense bowls, a gong and a smnll casket with two carved metal handles fastened to he lid at the ends. Raising It aloft, Ram Chunder said solemnly: "Behold the Cnsket of Death of Slv.i." Skeptically Morgan gated at It. "If It works, all right, Ram. But if not well, remember I won't stand for any of your foolishness." Ram Chunder turned to him with the dull glow of a snake In his eyes. "If you have corne here to Insult the gods, begone and I will throw your money at your heels. If you would have their help, save your Insolence In-solence for your own Ood upon whom you cnll In vain when you would have your enemies removed." Knowing that he hnd gone too fnr, the Hawk grew apologetic. "All right, Ram. I'll take It hack and say no more." "Then we will depart," said the ancient an-cient one. Beckoning Shallum, the three left the room together Silently the trio crept Into the courtyard court-yard nt (lie hack of the hotel. Drawing Draw-ing a flute from beneath his coat Shallum Shal-lum Bounded a scries of low, mellow notes, and a moment later the Spider Coming to a window parted the curtains, cur-tains, first peered ami then beckoned. Crawling Into the room of Bella through the window which be raised for them, they unpacked the basket while Morgan begun Questioning the Bplder. Silently the latter indicated to the Incomers the location of the party In the opposite suite. Cravoly Ram Chunder nodded. "The Holy Sha will summon him hither. And then " Taking the small Idol from the basket bas-ket I laid the casket upon the table before it : placing incense howls and powder about while Shallum took the gong Proet rating hlmaelf Ham chun-di chun-di r began t eerloa or incantations and mesmeric waving of ids hands in the direction of John's room, while ever the smoke of the Incense grew thicker and more pungent, Rhallum meanwhile sinking the gong, filled hs r with its low tolling Loalng hli patience at lust, Morgan burst forth. "What is all this hl.nned foolish ness about anyway Cut it out and get down to husineaa." Ham Chunder raised a threatening hand. Speak not, lest Siva blast you Into dust." With a convulsive movement the Spider grasped Morgan by the arm tind pointed through the haze that had iin-cii from the Incense bowls, ami Morgan, looking In the direction indl rated saw the vaguely outlined form vf John's sleeping Bgura, With eyes Ti f aggfia "gjgjl staring they sat rigidly, while the In- H cautatlons of Ham Chunder grew more M "Look !" whispered the Spider, great- M ly agitated. Staring still more In- lkH tenth, the bewildered Morgan saw the llH form of Kthel asleep in her bed, one M arm thrown over her head. M "(Ileal heavens!" he said with a Within her room the girl, awakened H by what she did not know, slowly M opened her eyes. For a moment she rubbed them after the manner of one M who has slept deeply and well, then M as she lay looking al the ceiling the IjgH light of Intelligence which hnd filled H her pupils gradually faded, while In ggggl lis place came the glassy, staring gar.e M of one who falls beneath the spell of IjH a !ipnotlst. Over her fnrm a con- M vulslve shudder ran and twice she es- IJH saved to arise, each time seeming to H he pulled hack upon the bed by some H Invisible force. Then apparently the M mysterious power which was urging aLH her up triumphed, and slowly, uncer- H talnly as one moves when In a dare. M she threw aside the cover and slopped M upon the floor. H find in her night robe, her white M arms and upper bosom gloaming In H the subdued HKht of her room, she M seemed a thing ethereal as she slowly M passed from her bed toward the doer. fjggfl Stepping around Ilalnface, who lay fast aggfl asleep upon the rug, she opened the fjggfl door which led Into the corridor, anil M going Into It crossed the hall. Hor- I gan and Hellas stepped forward, but ITH the voice of the old fakir arose warn- M ngiy. BJJJJJJJBB "Touch her not. The Child of H siva " l"l John Davis, asleep in his room, ITH opened his eyes In bewilderment and sat blinking nt the wall. "Queer dream, that. Had a vision M or dream or nightmare or something M that Ethel was prowling around in her H sleep and threatened by some danger. H Ouess I'd better investigate." Swing V lug his feet to the floor he passed out M of the room. H Avoiding the Indian as the girl had M done he hastened to the door leading M into the corridor, opened it and glanced down the hall. Kthel was Just dls- M appearing into a room upon the other M side, and to his partially sleep be- IJH fogged senses she seemed to be float- aaafl Ing splrltllke rather than walking with H feet that touched the floor. Wonder- M Ing what on earth It meant, and wait- M lug only until she had disappeared he- M bind the opposite panel, with two M bounds he wns at the door It was M baked. Already Morgan had turned lIH the key. Still beneath the occult Influence of M Ham Chunder, Ethel groped her way jw Into the room across the hall. Ram, M leaning forward, whispered fiercely lo M the Hawk's ear. M "He Is coming after her," at the M same time banding the other man a fl card upon which hud been roughly M scrawled: U "To find where she whom you seek HHgj has gone, open the cnsket." With a M brief glance at the hastily written M words, Morgan laid the card on the U casket, and all hastily withdrew them- M selves Into an adjoining room. H Davis, finding the door which barred his way locked placed his shoulder M against It und gave a mighty heave. H Before the violent impact of his body H the lock burst as does a plpestem and H he entered. The odor of Incense still bung heavy In the air, ami rushing M to Die window he opened It and thrust- Ing out Ids head scanned the court- H yard for Ethel. No sign of her was H to le seen and turning his attention H to the room hi' began to search It H frantlcallj Cloeet and porttarou yield- H ei nothing, and upon the verge of H starting for the next room where the conspirators crouched, his eye fell M Upon the small casket. Halted by the fl sight be stared womleringly at It for H a moment, then picked up the card, H Instantly the terrific power con- kH tallied within the casket loosed Itself BOB into ins body. Unable to release the fl handles of death he stood swaying, his fl eyes slowly closing, Ills face gone the bHB color of death ami iiis breath coming taLfl In gasps. Second by second the life Wai being Shocked from bis body. H Ram Chunder, opening the door of aggkw the other room at this moment, stood upon the threshold, one long, skinny aal Anger pointing at the collapsing Davis. IJInaH A tmlla of infinite evil was upon his aH u J 'See! The power of Siva'" he ex- H i la in. d triumphantly. Paring a skinny Ja lie took ft- Shallum a long, ser- B petlne edged Fast Indian knife and he- k gan creeping forward. " Unable to endure longer the myst"- J nous power which was shooting ajjpjjj through Ids frame as living lightning. H With a long. Indrawn gasp John col- SPB lapsed upon the floor. h:s hands still fl tightly clutched about die fatal hon- flj dies. yjgjl "To make sure." breathed Ham San! Chunder, running his thumb across tba aLS edge Of Iiis ghastly weapon. Like a tPH le. paid he stole upon the helple-s P14 S upon the floor. 'C (HND OF SKVKNTII I'.l'iSi I K.) &$ |