THE COPPER HOUSE A Detective Story av JULIUS REOIS AUT>:on nr -no ti TOflONi > “Is your plan so difficult to fathom! You forget that I have rend Tarrasehin's mem orandum, that I know what has become of your millions, •lid that ! am well aware of the snare of specious promises in which you have entangled | your dupe*. You are not so ! strong as you imagine; you have worked to overthrow one party, and lo support the oth er, so that you might use tin* gratitude of the successful one as ft stcpiMiigslooe to power. But the Russian revolution in March was none of your doing, you made a start in tlie oppo site direction, find threw in your lot wifll Ihe reactionaries, whose prosper! s seemed the more ffivoraMe. You made a mistake there: Kerensky still cits firmly in the saddle, and Prince Tarrnsfhin \s promises wiil never be fulfilled, for how ever strong your followers may he, they will never restore the tsar to power.” lie spoke slowly and impres sively, and hift woods .were now addressed to the silent group by the-door, eathec than to their leader. He noticed a strange expression in Rasta kov’s black eves. Perhaps Ortiz saw it too, foi he ex laimed furiously: “Silence! You lie!” “Shall I give you a sum mary of Tanasebin’s written promises!” returned Wallion, calmly, and, as Ortiz did not answer, he continued: “To he called ‘Kmperor of the Amazons' was, after oil, a barren hoyor; hut as governor general of Siberia, von would rule over one of the largest countries in the world. Can you deny (hat Prince 'Parni sehia promised that post to you, on behalf of his party .”’ A murmur went round the room, and Kasiakov’s face wore a threatening look, as lie took in the full meaning of "Wallion'a information. Ortiz fathomed his enemy’s inten tion, and grew’ pale: it almost seemed that his iron will was shaken, hut he controlled him self with a tremendous effort, and said: You have read it yourself, and hold the proof of it in your hand. I have never hesitated, and 1 do not hesitate now; but if you imagine that my fate depends ou h paper, you deceive yourself. I have many strings to my bow. Governor general of Siberia f—let that pass, as you have said if, hut it would only he a beginning; the whirlpool is deep, I ean sub due it.” He raised bis voice, and turned to the silent audi ence round the door. ’’Have 1 not proved to you that 1 keep my promises? Has your future ever looked so bright as it does now? I tell you, I ean give you all that your wildest dreams can pic ture. Power or riches, you have only to choose; I have them both nt, my command.” He chose his words cleverly, on the spur of the moment, and "VVallion realized that it was not only It is millions that had at tracted scores of adherents to his cause. His personal strength fascinated them, and his con vincing arguments overruled their judgment. Rut the jour nalist had no intention of al lowing him time to vindicate liimself. He gathered that Max Itachcl had by this time succeeded in conveying some sort of brief, hut evidently re inspiring intimation to Leon ard Grath, Sonia and Lona Ivanovna in turn, for their faces.bad brightened with an expr'syuou of eager anticipa tion. A moment later, seeing tliai Ortiz attention was tem porarily diverted, the Austrian looked significantly from Wal lion to the two lamps. The journalist und e r s t o n d his i South Africa Still Has J V Vast Mineral Resources vohannesbur*, South Africa - South Africa has hardly touched it - i own deposits, eactept gild and dia monds; the time has coma tor it to - cpnsi.ter more actively the steps to be tsten to Insure its future devel opment declared Dr. Ham Piiow in the cni-rse of h:s presidential ad dress to the Chemical. Metallurgies! and M rung society in Johannesburg “In the face of past and present ich’ti -inenU in the mineral in dustry, ' ha said, ‘it is often aveitey. I meaning, ami nodded: it was nearly time! “Do not promise more than you can perform, Orti*!” lie exclaimed. “Wliat about those earlier promises of yours? Did you not assure Rastakov and his people lint (lie bolshevists are your friends? You. the organizer of the reartionary party in Russia .’ for shame, what duplicity! Wliat about these last boUhevist uprisings in pptmgrad? Were they your work?” The vehemence of Wall ion's attack struck Ortiz dumb. * * I. ... I am not obliged to answer,” be said alVra pause; “you are not my .judge!” “Hut you would like to be mine, wouldn't you? Perhaps you would rather 1 burned the document T” The paper hovered nearer the litlle blue flame, and Ortiz exclaimed: “Name your own price!” It was a sign of weakening, he was ready to buy wliat he could not take by force. Wallion laughed, feigning surprise: “Is this little flame so vain able? You would see it ex tinguished at any price?” “I will give you $10,000,000 if you will blow it nut,” said the adventurer. “And your liberty...” “A fantastic offer!” said Wallion, his eves glittering. “Does the future governor of Siberia propose it?” “Yes.” “Well. I decline it. You .ire a beaten man, Ortiz. Keren skv’s government has sup pressed the bolabevist rising,', in I’etrograd, and remains in power till further notice. A re actionary rising would be even icss successful.. ” Hardly had the journal^ completed his sei truce, when a dramatic interruption oc curred. Rastakov sprang forward All the savagery in his primi tive nature had risen to the surface, his face was convuDoi »'id his voice like the snarl op some wild beast: “Is it true that the bolshe vists are beaten?” he cried. “Yes; did you unr know it?” answered Wallion. “No! I thought- .Ortiz, you have played us false* Remem* bet wliat you promis'd!" Ortiz atiuck hint iiill in the lace. “How dare you, Rastnkov!” l*o exclaimed harshly. “I have not paid you to insult me. ” The blow left a red mark on Raslakov’s white face. He staggered back, his hands clutching the air; his eyes looked like those of a blind man. “Traitor!” he yelled. Slipping his right hand into his pocket, he raised it high over his head, grasping a round, black object, which he was about to fling at Ortiz, when the baron, throwing his whole weight upon him, wrenched the deadly thing away, and dashed it through the nearest window, far out in to the park. The whole house was shaken by a terrific explosion, a col umn ot earth and flame rose high into the air, for a minute, and the atmospheric pressure drove in the windowpanes with a clatter of breaking glass. Before the last splinters had fallen on the enrpet, Ortiz drew a revolver from his pock et, and. apparently without even taking aim, shot Rastn kov through the head. The un fortunate Russian fell where he stood, and did not move again. Rastakov was balked of his prey, and had paid for his mis take with his life. that our mineral resources are wan iug assets. Theoretically that is true but there are numerous examples lr the history of miring to show that mineral deposits originally consid ered of small magnitude have been worked for many centuries. “As to our resources in diamonds coal, platinum, asbestos, chrome and manganese, to mention but a few, a mi’ar experience can confidently b* •x nested. “There Is little reason to doubt hat another f 1.000 000.000 worth of told will be won from our present jold deposit*. “Regarding our diamond deposits The sudden tragedy para lyzed them all. Ortiz stared down at the dead body. “One more!" lie muttered; “one morel" At that minute the journal ist made sn alarming discov ery; the draught from the broken window had blown out the little flame in the cigar lighter. There was not an in stant to lose! “Now, Raebel!" lie cried, and crouched clown ns quick as lightning. The Austrian thrust his hand among the rugs on Sergius Tassler’s armchair, and pulled out a bright steel “Browning,’’ which he aimed at the lamps. Two shots rang out, and the lamps fell crash ing to the floor. T! a room was plunged in darkness. f'HAPTKR XX Tn Which Wallion Shows That a (ireat Deal ('an Be Done iu Ten Minutes It seemed as though a black velvet pall had been dropped over them. The sudden tran sition from brilliant light to impenetrable darkness, was al most physically painful, and 10 or 15 seconds passed before anyone attempted to stir; each man was listening with hated breath for his enemy’s movements. A flash pierced the darkness: Ortiz had fired at the journalist, or rather, at ! the spot where he had last seen him standing. An infernal hubbub broke out: someone turned on an electric torch, which was immediately shat tered by a shot; a dozen rifles rang out simultaneously, fur niture fell to the ground, and panes of glass jingled. “Get lights!” cried Ortiz; “let no one escape: stand by the windows and doors!” The journalist had carefully placed Tarraschin’s memoran dum in his pocketbook, and was now ready to avail himself of the opportunity; be moved noiselessly forward, and sud denly threw himself into the tumult round the door. Strik ing out to right and left, bis broad shoulders soon cleared him a passage. A last shot was fired almost under bis his chin, and he found himself out in the ball—free! There was no time to lose. The hall was dark, but the tramp of feel warned him that at least half a score of men were making their way through the half-open door: that exit was blocked too; to reach the upper floor by the staircase was his only chance. He hastened in that direction, 1 blessing the thick carpet, which deadened his footsteps, and took the 24 stairs in four bounds. As lie gained flip top most stair, he dropped down on the landing like a cat, and held his breath: he had heard someone breathing close by. Hut in a moment be uttered a sigh of relief, as a familiar voice said softly: ••It is I. Max Raebel. I know your step again, Wal !ion; this way!” He discerned a shadowy form, and a band grasped Ins. ‘‘I think we may congratu late ourselves that we have won the first round,” added the Austrian. “What about the others’” “Oh, I told Sergius Tassler and (J rath to see to the ladies, I advised them to offer no re sistance, but if possible to take refuge in the gardener’s cottage, Ortiz will eoneentrate his attention on us.” “It looks like it,” Wallion agreed. The hall beneath them was filled with light. Fresh lamps had been brought in and light ed, but a strange condition of uncertainty seenie,. prevail, and two or throe voices were clamoring for llastakov. Baron Fayerling hurried forward, and the six marines marched across the hall towards the stars, with Ortiz behind ihem. At sight of him, the threaten ing murmurs died away, and with a few decided orders the baron quelled the disturbance. “The harmony seems slight ly defective!” whispered the we are assured of sufficient resource, to maintain the present output foi very many years to come, while as tc the future of coal minin'? there are even more optimistic estimates. “Whether the production of fuel oil from coal proves to be a commer cial success or not, we may. with j confidence, look to a cons dcrabt expansion in the coal mining in dustry “During the last 50 years,” h* added, “scarcely a dec3de has passed without some new and valuable dis coveries being made, and there is no reason t« believe that further dis Austrian, “but it wilt soon b r too hot for us here; which way shall we go?” ‘•To the winding staircase on tlie hack landing,” replied Wallion promptly. They crossed I lie passage, and he opened the door leading to the backstairs, but immediately re treated. and boiled it hastily: he had almost run into the arms of three of the forest guards, who Were evidently on the lookout for him, and now began to hatter on the door. “The deuce!” he murmured “this is what one may call qii'*k work! Back again!” They ran back to the main staircase, which w'as now their only chance, if they were not to he caught on that floor. “Are you armed?” asked Rachel. “No, are you?” “Yes, I have Sergius Tass ler’s revolver, but only four cartridges left.” Ortiz’ bodyguard had nearly reached the top, when the two detectives appeared on the landing. A shout greeted them, hut before anyone cousd shoot, tin* fugitives had gained llm second floor, where Raebel turned and fired a shot down the stairs. “That’ll just give them something to think about,” he explained; “I am generous, as long as 1 have anything to give away,” Ih*r leaves you wilh only three shots, doesn’t it?” said Wallion. “Walt, that is not enough; I must get hold of something for myself also.” They heard someone running up, and the journalist stood a little to one side. One of the marines, more quick-footed than the rest, appeared at the to;> of the stairs. Wallion sprang silently upon him seized him by the back of the neck, swung him round, wrested the carbine from the hands of the surprised and be wildered man. and. with a vio lent push, sent him reeling backwards down the stairs. The living projectile evidently landed in the very midst of his advancing comrades, and a chorus of shouts and execra tions followed. Wallion ex amined the carbine, which was loaded with five rounds of am munition. "Come along,” said he, “we can’t stop here.” They mounted the third flight, which was narrowed, and led straight to the attics, and they looked round them in the darkness. Every eornei was filled with dusty boxes, wornout furniture, and a med ley on nondescript objects; on the far side, they made out a ladder, set up against the ceil iug, beneath a bolted trapdoor Wallion struck a match and looked at liis watch: it wa? half past niue. Their pursuer? came on noisily, though rathei out of breath. Raebel seized an old high-backed oak arm chair, swung it up over hi? head, a ndlmrled it with a crash down the attic stairs. A shot answered the challenge, and .•> bullet whistled past the Austri an’s right ear, as he stepped | back swearing softly: “There’s no stopping them,’ he grumbled; “ a machine gur i is what we want!’ The journalist was alream at the top of the ladder, am1 pushing up the creaking trap door. The Austrian followed him, and they both crawled out upon the sloping eoppei roof. The night air blew cool and refreshing on their heated faces, and Wall ion let the hea^y trapdoor fall back inti ifs place. “Shall we stop here?” asked Rachel eagerly. “We could give them a warm reception from this position.” Wallion considered. “No,” he said; “we hav too little ammunition, and be sides, there are several attii windows from which the; might fire on ns.” “But where in the world ea> , we go?” exclaimed the flabber gasted Rachel. “It seems t me, we have come as far as w '•an without flying.” (TO rt• CONTINL' KD) coveries of ore deposits will cea; abruptly, the more so as the unio • npears to be on the ni al an er of scientific prospecting ” New Orleans. La—An auto drtvei by Paul Gauthier. 27 years old plunged over an pmbankment dowi 20 feet into a drainage canal at Nev Orleaas. As the car was slowl sinking into the mire at the botton of the canal bed Gauthier manag* to open the door and climb to safe ly, only to be arrested for recktes driving when he had regained th street iVOVI.D MAKE FAIR FREE TO VHE PUBLIr Grand Liland— (UP> — Provider hat the caunty and business met .ppropriate about $4,000, the far pjnso'.ed by the central Nebrask .gricultural association may be fret aext year, it was decided by th joard ot directors Wednesday. The gat* receipts this year totski 58,708 This source of revenue woul. je lost if the fair is made free, al though admissions to grand stand: and concessions will remain The di rectors voted to make admission tt .he fair grounds free if the count} board appropriates $2,000 for pre miums, $2.CO0 for permanent im provementa and business men sub scribe $4,000 RUSS AVIATORS WELL TREATED iNorth Platts Chamber of Commerce Denies Storie of Any Discourtesy North Platte, Neb.—(UP)—Fred W Sfanders, president junior division North Platte Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement denying edi torial comment of the Houston (Tex.) Chronicle and other news papers tb the effect that Russian aviators flying around the world in the airplane "Land of the So viets,” had been treated in an ill mannered or spiteful way by North Platte citizens. Yanders quoted cablegrams from President Ukhanov, of the Moscow Soviet; S. A. Shestakov, chief pilot on the airship; L. G. Gershevich, interpreter for the party, and oth ers to show that the Russians felt highly gratified at the warm recep tion they received here. “For the benefit of our misin formed editors throughout the country,” Yanders said, “when the plane landed here it was a complete surprise to North Platte citizens who had no inkling that they would be forced to descend on our field. Commander Shestakov had planned to spend the night in Omaha. “We hastily gathered some of our leading citizens and hurried to the field. Our party furnished a police escort to guard the plane during the night and furnished transpor tation to the entire crew to the lo cal hotel. Here they were met by the president of the Chamber of Commerce and other prominent citizens “After a special dinner the fliers asked that they be allowed to re tire, since they were tired and con templated arising early to resume tbeir flight. “All expenses including meals, hotel and transportation charges was paid for by the Chamber of Commerce.” In the cablegrams the Russians warmly thank North Platte citizens for their courtesy and hospitality during their stay here. FIFTEEN STUDENTS AFTER RHODES SCHOLARSHIP Lincoln, Neb. — (UP) — Paul F. Good, secretary of the Nebraska committee on the Rhodes scholar ship states that 15 instead of nine candidates will appear before the examining committee for hearing, several of the number having ap plied from institutions outside the state. Rules governing the contest permit the students name to be en tered through an institution within the state in which he lives and is attending school, or through an in stitution in another state where he has attended for the last two years. The candidates not previously listed publicly are: Philip H. Mer gler of Hastings college; George R. West of Kearney State Teachers college; William M. Cord of Uni versity of Wisconsin; Harley G. Moorhead, Jr., Omaha, Oberlin col lege, Ohio; Herbert D. Dichsen, of Midland college and Irwin R. Schimmelpfenning, Humphrey, Un ited States Military academy, West Point. Card is an alumnus of the University of Nebraska and is do ing graduate work at Wisconsin and Dichsen is student secretary for the United Lutheran church at the Ne braska institution. G. A. R. GIVEN ROOMS IN NEW CAPITOL Lincoln. Neb.—(UP)—The Nebras ka Grand Army of the Republic has been given the two top rooms in the capitol tower for use as office and club room and also for a trophy room, it was announced Thursday by State Commander Smith. The trophy room, which will house the souvenirs of all the wars in which Nebraska men have par ticipated, is underneath the dome of the tower and will be octagonal In shape. It will be on the 14th floor, and the entire floor below will be devoted to a club room for the veterans with office space also being provided. Pour elevators, which are now being installed, will provide service to the new head quarters. FINER FOR NOT KEEPING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL Ponca, Neb—Oscar Aaberg was bi ought before County Judge P. D. Pales on a charge of falling to keep his three children in school as re quired by the Nebraska compulsory education law This la the first prosecution in Dixon county brought under this nrovlsion. The defendant was fined $22. DISTRIBUTE FUNDS FROM STATE GASOLINE TAX Lincoln, Neb.—(UP) — Nebraska counties will receive $195,259,03 as their share of the gasoline tax col lected during November, it was an nounced Thursday by State Treas urer W. M. Stebbins The total collections were $781. 038.11 and the counties receive one fourth of this amount. She Should Be. Prom Answers. “Whatever happened to that gin you didn’t marry?” "OK. she a just aa happy as ever.' SAYS NEBRASKA ON CASH BASIS State Treaurer Reports Cash in Various Funds and No Bonds Out Lincoln, Neb.—(UP)—The sum oi $4,683,471.44, ample to pay every outstanding claim against any fund in the state, was in the state trea sury at the close of business No vember 30, State Treasurer W. M Stebbins reported Wednesday. In the general fund was a bal ance of $775,567.43, the receipts dur ing November being $285,686.62 anti the payments. $638,703.03. The oapi tol building fund had a balance oi $305,738.13. During the month, $1,013,865.25 was paid out from the gasoline tax fund. 8789.647.05 was collected, and Deoeinber l, there was a balance or $1,395,908 75. • “In 1875 there was outstanding against Nebraska about $500,000 in bonds. The last of these were paid and cancelled in 1900.“ Stebbins said. “For 30 years there has not been a bond against our state. Ws are strictly on a cash basis, paying cash as go." BATTLESWITH SCARLET FEVER Hartington, Neb., School Children Innoculated to Halt Disease Spread Hartington. Neb. — (Special* - Owing to the presence caf a numbei of scarlet fever oases 1b this city and surrounding comtiWBtty the school board of the Hartington public schools has discusssd m.as ures to combat the disease. Acting upon the suggestion of physicians the board issued an ed ict requiring all children in school to be inoculated, at least one in jection of serum being given at the expense of the school district. The physicians claimed that the one in oculation would make the child im mune for six months. If the par ents cared to make the child im mune to the disease for life they could have the two remaining in jections administered. This week Dr. J. M. Johnson gave the first injection of serum to all pupils and teachers in both the public and parochial schools. OMAHA RACE BETTING PLACES ORDERED CLOSED Omaha. Neb.— — Chief of Police J. J. Pszanowski late today issued an ultimatum to local horse race betting emooriums to close up or suffer the indignity of having uniformed policemen stationed at their doors to prevent gambling. “I am going to have all race track gambling stopped,” said Pszanow ski, ‘‘even if I have to place a uni formed policeman in each place suspected of operating against the law.” His edict followed a raid by po lice morals officers of two places where bets were laid for foreign race tracks. His resolution to have all emporiums closed is in line with the order of Attorney General Sor enson’s edict to that effect more than a month ago. CHILDREN'S CRUSADE IN ALL EPISCOPAL CHURCHES Omaha, Neb.— — Plans for the conduct of a children’s crusade in every Episcopal church through out the northwest, embracing eight states, were perfected here at the annual meeting of the provincial executive council. The crusade, to be held simul taneously in every Episcopal church In the northwest province, will be staged in Montana, Wyoming, Col orado, North Dakota, South Da kota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. Definite dates for the event have not been set. Dr. Phillips Os good of Minneapolis is in charge of plans. GRAIN SHIPPING BODY ORGANIZED AT NACORA Homer, Neb. —(Special)—A grain shipping association has been or ganized at Nacora. The following officers were elected: William Hee ney, president; L. J. Martin, vice president; Hugo Zastrow, secretary treasurer; Victor Blume, manager. The board of directors consisted ot the officers and Ray Graves. Wil liam Wingett, of Thurston county, explained a similar organization op erating at Walthill, Neb. KNOX COUNTY PIONEER WOMAN AT REST Bloomfield. Neb.—(Special)—The funeral of Mrs. Dorothy C. Smyth was held, Wednesday, from the East S de Lutheran church Mrs Smyth, who wa3 74 yoars old, was one of the pioneers of this com munity. She is survived by seven children. COLERIDGE NEB. CTUPLE MARRIED 50 YEARS Coleridge, Neb.—(Special) — Mr ind Mrs. Peter Adamson celebrated heir golden wedding anniversary it their home Thanksgiving day. They have resided In the Coleridge vicinity for the last 27 years. Both are 75 years old. NEED COLD WEATHER TO PRESERVE BEET CROP McCook, Neb. —