MEDFORD 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.