Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, March 21, 1910, Image 6

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Medford mail tribune., March 21, 1910, Page 6, Image 6

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Newspaper Page TextMEDFORD AtAIL TRIBUNE, ftCEDffORD, OREGON, MONDAY. MARCH 21, 1910, TRUXTON KING f Storjr of ,...CrautarK. Bj GEORGE BARR M'GUTGHEON C4ffri(h(. 1909. kj Cotf, Bur McCatckto t Ctfvricfet. 1909. by DotU. Hm T dl.VTTEIl X. THE IRON COUNT. WHEN King. In tho kindness of his heart, grasped the old woman to keep her from fall ing to the lloor he played di rectly Into the handa of very material agencies under Iter control. The next Instant something struck him In the Tace. Then with n fierce Jerk this same ttJect tightened about his neck. A noose had been dropped over his linad. As he was pulled backward his startled, bulging eyes swept the cell ing. Above him a square opening had appeared In the celling. Two ugly, Iteanled faces were leaning over the edge, and strong hands were grasping a thick rope. Uc was strangling. Frantically ho grusied the rope, lifting Mmself from the floor In the effort to loosen the nooso with his free hand. A hoarse laugh broke upon his dinning cars, the leering faces drew nearer, awl then as everything went black a Iw&vy yet merciful blow fell upon bis bead. Not many minutes passed before con sciousness, which bad been but partially- lost, returned to him. It was yltcfa dark, and the air was hot and lose. Not a sound came to his throb Mag ears. With characteristic Irre yccoclblllty he began to vwear softly, feat articulately. A gruff voice, star Mtegty near at hand, Interrupted him. "Spit It out, young fellow! Swear 3tko a man, not Uko a blamed canary The hidden speaker was unquestion ably aa American. "rubers am I?" demanded the cap Mr. "You're here, that's where you are," the sarcastic answer. "Are yon an American x "No; I am a Chinaman. I was born 3a Newport" as an afterthought Kearucky." TJals is the worst high handed out rage I've ever"" "Setter- save your breath, young fel 3svr. You won't have It very long, so jiaTe what you can of It." "Yoh mean 1 am to stop breathing altogether?" asked the prisoner. -Something like that" "Wfayr "You'll find out when the boss gets xeod and ready. You wanted to get -m poke at the old man's eye, did you? Sy thunder, that's like an American sever satisfied to let things alone. See -what it got you Into?" "The old man's eye? What old asaar Taafs for you to find out. If you can. You've made a poor start at It." "How do you. an American, happen to be mixed up In a deal like this?" ""Ifa healthier work than making bar rels at I was going to say Sing Sing, bat I bear they've changed the name. I prefer outdoor work." "FBglUve, eh?" "You might call It that. I'm wanted 3a seven states. The demand for me in great." That bo bad fallen Into the hands of a baBd of couspiratora was quite clear to King. Whether they were brigands r more Important operators against the crown he was of course In no posi tion to decide. Time would tell. It was enough that they expected to kill him sooner or later. This In Itself -was sufficient to convince him that he -was Hot to be held for ransom, but to fee disposed of for reasons best known to bis captors. Like a shot the warning of Olgu TlaUnova flashed into his brain. His guard had mentioned "the old man." Geed heavens! Could be mean Spantz? The cold perspiration was standing ou King's brow. Spantz! lie recalled the -wickedness in the armorer's face. But why should Spantz wish him evil? Tho anarchists! Tho reds! Olga wax an avowed anarchist "Dy gad, they I think I am a detectlvo!" bo exclaimed. Bght coming to h'lm with a rush. "What's that?" snapped the other. Truxton could almost feel the other's body grow tense despite the space be tween them. "Are you a detective? Aw you? If you are, I'll finish you up right here. You" "Nol They're on the wrong scent. By Jove, the laugh's on old man Spantz." "Oho! So you do know what's up. then? Spantz, eh? Well, what you've guessed at or found out won't make aauch difference, my fine young fcl kw." The glimmer of a light came bob king up from somewhere behind Trux tea. Ho could see the flickering shad wa ea the wall. Two men crept into the room a moment later. One of them carried a lantern; tho other turned King's body over with his foot. Trux tea saw that the three rutilana were great, brutal faced fellows, with bared arms that denoted toll as well us spoils. The third man grasped the prisoner l.v the feet, swearing in a luuguago of Ills own, Tho Yankco desperado took Ills shoulders, uud together, with cur ves grunts, they followed tho man irttB the lantern, Ho could seo tlm. they wcro crowding through a 1 " narrow passage, finally depositing , with scant rourti uiwn the rock. , floor of lmt proved to bo h rnthor commodious cnvo. j Daylight streamed Into this conven ient "hole In the wall;" lying upon his jSlde, Truxton faced the opening that iookcu out upon me worm. ear iw opening stood the tail, ga.unt llguro of a mnn, thin shouldered and stooped Ills back was to the captive, but King observed that the throo men. with two companions, who t at the back of the cave, nevr removed their gaxe "BEITKn BAVR YOCll BREATH, TOCNO TKlr- LEU. VOO WONT HAYS IT LOSO. from tho striking figure outlined against the sky. The watcher turned slowly to take In the altered conditions behind him. King saw that he was old, gray haired and cadaverous. This, then, was the "old man," and he was not William Spantz. "Your name Is King. I believe." came from the thin lips of the old man. "Yes. May I Inquire" "No; you may not Inquire. Tut a gag in his mouth. I don't care to bear anything from him. Gag him and cut tho rope from his feet ne may walk from now on." Three men sprang to do his bidding. t King felt In that Instant that he was looking for the first time upon the fea tures of the Iron Count. Marlanx the dishonored. He lay there helpless, speechless for many minutes. glancing at this cruel tyrant It was enough that Marlanx suspected him of being In the way. To be suspected wao to be condemned. Marlanx was speaking. Truxton looked up, as at an executioner. The Iron Count sat upon n bowlder near bis feet "We have met before. Perhaps you remember meeting my eye In Dame Enbba's cabin twice, I think. You remember, 1 see. Ha, ha! You were very slow not to have caught such an old inau. I dare say you are wonder ing what I Intend to do with you, now that I have you. Well. I am not the man to mince words. Mr. King, you are quite young, but the good die young. I am very old. you observe. I will not say that you are to die to night or tomorrow or uny day," for I do not know. I am going to send you to a court- Not an ordinary court Mr. King, hut one of extreme perspicacity. I fancy you will die before long. We can spare you. I do not approve of meddlers. It seems to bo quite settled that you are a police agent." The steady, cruel eyes fascinated King. He knew that be was In des perate straits. "I am glad you called again at my temporary abode. Mr. King. Ameri cans nre always welcome: tho sooner they come, the sooner It's over. It may Interest you to know that I am very partial to Americans. Were 1 a cannibal I could eat them In relish. If I had my way, all Americans should too In heaven. The earth surely Is not good enough nor big enough for them, and bell Is already overcrowded. Yes. I love tho Americans dearly. 1 should enjoy a similar visit from Mr. John Tullls. I expect him to visit me !n my humble castle before many days. I should like to have him remain there until his dying day." King shuddered. "Night is coming. I must say fare well, my bold young friend. My way lies to the north. This Is merely a land of promise to me. You go south ward, to tho city of Edelweiss. Hut not through the gates; ob, no! There are other ways, as you will find. Good by, my bravo Sir Galahad. I may never see you again," With a courtly 'FAREWELL, UT bow he turned bold YOUNOlrom the tense FIUE5D. muscled captive and directed his final instructions to the guards. With a curt nod to the men, ho strode out through the mouth of the cave and was gone. Dusk had settled down upon mountain and val ley, One of the men cut tho rope that bound Truxton's feet "Get up," said tho Newport man. "We'vo got to be movInV Still gagged and somewhat dizzy. King was hurried off Into tho narrow mountain path, closely surrounded by tho five men. Tho silent, cautious march down the valley, through tho gap and along the ridgd carried them fur Into the night. This 4nuch ho knew they were In me uiiis uirectiy auove me normeru. gates. The vague, black shadow of n lightless house loomed up before them. In u twinkling he was hustled across the road and into a door, then down a flight of stairs, through pitchy dark ness, guided by two of tho men, a whispered word of advice now nnd then from tho Yankee saving him from perilous stumbles, Ho was Jerked up sharply with a command to stand still. A light flashed suddenly In his face, blinding him for a moment BBBBBBBBBBB ln saw tl .1 wore t i In . ir onit' n; a !-. I ' V I II '-, ii !" ft' i-o -rN v, , ;n v wn KWlcuitttlug fiercely. in Nor p-Tt nnnpnufon oillrht- !'; hMwi 'ir of fie pipe h v l: vr W.iU. "Hero' where ay (idliy. young fellow. We tuv vou over to lhee gouts, whoever Ilk ire. You w ttito the village guy w It il.'jio nv:U' ly tho sower lino, lies." TniXUM pricked up his ear .": 'W ;:! Wis had it hole eliopp :t Musevr hotv. they toll ino. and It' ( t aet tt.to the city. Not ev .'.rr.ti -r nwt, hut It gets you thoro ..oil. o hula: They're ready, 1 so. i"!ht don't monkey long when they pot a thlnjr to do.' !:i nnuthor uvnuent hi gunntlnii"' i tr ifHforml; ho Vran helmt hur: v . rrllar fin-ard an open d --v lVwn i few tnno stop. ho w,i i l by the lioanled crew, and t'u iishfii tliimneh a hoto In what n i rd to ho n hwvy arlck wall. I: , .. : . d at on- e whuro ho was. T . . J of run::!ag water emtio up j. y .., ,.,, grout sower that r 'i. r; v Mil tliron.ih t ho heart of t' . if ''.wf,c,j contlnuonsly by a divert i lvt'itipi stream that swept dnwt Yom above. lie did not know how loug the: fraversod the ohlll sever. In time however, the water got deeper; rat. begun to scurry along the sides of the circle or to swim frantically on In front of the disturbers. At last the strange Journey ended They tame ton nhhe In the slimy wall Up Into this the uieu climbed. The inau above was cautiously tapping on what appeared to t solid masonry. To King's surprise a section of the wall suddenly opened before them. He wits seized from above ly strong bands and literally Jerked through the hole, up narrow steps uud then into a long, dim ly lighted room, m the center of which stood u long table. ne was passed on Into a small room adjoining. Some one. speaking In Eng lish, told hltu to sit down. Tho gag was removed from his stiff. Inflamed mouth. "Fetch him some water," said u rolco that he was sure ho recognized a high, querulous voice. "Hello. Spantzr articulated Truxton. turning to tho black boarded, bent tig ure. There was an Instant of silence Then Spantz spoke, with a soft lnugh: "You will not know so much tomor row. Herr King. Give him water, man. He cannot talk with a drj throat" King was pushed out Into tho larger room, where he was confronted by u crowd of bewhlskered men and snaky eyed women with most Intellectual nose glasses. It required but a glance to convince him that tho whisker were false. For nearly an hour ho was probed with questions concerning his business in Edelweiss. Threats followed close upon his unsatisfactory answen. though they were absolutely truthful. "Wo'll find u way to make you talk tomorrow, my friend! Starving Is not pleasant" "You would not starve me!" bo cried. "No. You will have tho pleasure of starving yourself." said a thin eyed fellow whom he afterward know as Peter Brutus. He was thrown back Into the little room. To his surprlso and gratlflci. tlon tho bonds on his wrists were re moved. He found a match in bis box and struck It There was no article or furniture. .The floor was bare, the walls green with age. A chimney hole In the celling was perhaps the only means by which fresh air could reach this dreary place. Sleep was claiming his senses, no made a pillow.. of hi coat and stretched' his weary bones upon the relentless floor. "No one will ever know," he mur i ... . I . . i i. . i i mureil, nis insi waiting iuuukuv uviuk of a dear one at home. (To Be Continued.) Raskins for Health. EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS CHANCES 40 acres near Woodville, $1000. 60 acres, 7 miles from ITedford, $900. 3G0 acres, $8000. 4-room house, furniture nnd 2 cows, $050. 7-room house, lot 91x200j on West Main, $3000. FOR RENT. A largo furnished bungalow. If you have house you want a rentor for, list with me, 20 ranch hands. Girl for general housework, 4 adults, $25. Girl for general housework, 5 in family, $1 por day. Girl for general housework, or Jap. Girl for general housework-, out in the country, $20. Girls 1 Girls! Girls J Sheepherder, $35. Chambermaid, out, $20. Chambermaid, out, $25. Dining-room girl, out, $20. Woman cook, $30. rnrnn,nra TOnnn T-i. " P1"" nnd Wlfc' no objection to chil dren. ITnve ybu honseclefining, carpets or vurs to clean, chimneys to clonn or any othor work, hour or day? T enn furnish yon tho liolp; also suits cleaned and pressed, E. F. A. BITTNER, 208 Taylor & Plilpps Big, Phone 4141 ton t. PLUMBING STEAM AND HOT WAIER HEATING All Work Gunmntvuri IMour Roi8onillo COFFEEN . PRICE H Norlli ) St.. Modford. Oro." Phono 303 Fine Watches A full line of Howard, Hamilton, Illinois, Elgin and Waltham watches in Solid Gold or Filled Cases; Fine Watch Repairing a Specialty DIAMONDS J. W. DIAMOND 115 West Maim ONCE MORE We can supply you with a good variety, iiK'ludhiff many kinds of FRESH FISH OYSTERS, CLAMS, SHRIMPS, ETC. and from now on we hope to have at all times enough to supply our customers. Come and see whnt we have. RogueRiverFishCo 17 North Pir Street LOTS 7 East Front Lots, 55 x 123 at $550 2 South Front Lots 62 1-2 x 100 at $7 50 each, These lots are only six blocks from depot on the West side. THE ROGUE RIVER LANS COMPANY Fire Insurance No. 1 1 North Central Ave. Best Groceries At Prices Strictly in Keeping with the Quality of Our Stock which is Unexcelled A Trial will Convince You Allen The Square Medford Phone Main 83. Reagan Deal Grocers DRIVERS ! hat know the country RIGS that cover the country gi'lCKIiV AND WITH COM1" MIT TO VOL' AIIK AMVU'H TO 1115 l-'OI'Nn At HIK 1WUI.OW IK)VNtN(l, IMtOPHIKTOIlH. WEST SIDE STABLES lMIONK SIU1 H. (lltAPIO HTIIKICT t Animal Insurance We Insuro Horses anil Cattle Afinlnst Death From Accident, DIs- cast or Fire. NATIONAL LIVESTOCK INSURANCE ASSOCIATION, ). E. Tull, Ancnt, Medford. J B ENYAHT, I'roHl.lout JOHNS 01(111 i m.i. W It. .Ut'KSON, An'i Uitmn' TBE MEDFORD NATIONAL BANK CAPITAL $50,000 SURPLUS .... $16,000 Safety boxes for rent. A general Banking Ruslnesi transacted. We solicit your patronauc HURRY! New strictly modern nine-room house; south front. This property at a bargain, as owner expects to leave city. Modern 5-room house; largo sleeping porch; lot 80xlJ30; east front; can he purchased with or without furniture. Five-room cottage; 2 good south front lots; on W. Tenth street; at a bargain. W. G. Davidson 1022 WEST -- Good Buys In Real Estate IT WILL PAY THE BUYER TO INVESTIGATE FIRST Wo hav city property of all kinds. SECOND Wo havo orchard tracts of all kinds. THIRD Wo havo cultivated land of tho best qual ity in Rogue Rivor valloy, Roseburg, Eugene and Willamette valloy. FOURTH Wo havo largo trncts of unimproved lands in and abo'ut Rogue River valloy that wo will sell in largo or small tracts to suit tho purchaser. Jackson County Realty Co. Street Number 604 West Cqmo and seo our holdings. Wo also havo modern rooms to ront. RESOLVED Tim bout roRoliition for yon to nitikn In to oomo to us for jour next milt, If you want something out of tho ordinary. Wo do Ilia li out work nnd ehnrqo the logout prieou, W. W. EIFERT nil! rKoaiiii&HrvK tailox J A. I'KHKV, Vioo-lroido.it HURRY! TENTH ST. Tonth. Phono 141.