The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-11-17

|
"Do you think not? That's not so
certain. What would you do with it
were l to give it to you?"
Do with it? I'd blow your brains
out in ajiGy!"
=" Really?"
"Just as certain as you are standing
thereW
| "At the first shot?"
"At the very first shot, for I would
aim at the temple"
very well, then, old fellow. Be
sure you aim with steady hand. Here
is your revolver"
Nibert, as he spoke, quilted his seat,
went to Langlade, gave him the rcvolv-
or, turned around, and quietly went
back to the bed he sat on it, folded
his arms, and said, We'll, fret"
The escaped convict was confoundcd.
He exclaimed, "i'll be hanged if you
belong to the secret police"
You thankless dog! l behave my
best to you; / treat you like son, and
you are so ungrateful as to refuse to
give Inc my tltleS ~
"Do you mean to tell me you really
are n detective 20
"I'm nothing else. What in the
world do you think / am? You don't
take me for peer, eh I? I'm not such
fool; time hangs too heavily on their
hands. | am a detective-a real detect
i've. What do you call these things l
am drawing from my pocket? Look
at 'em! Aren't they handouts? They
are the only professional objects l
brought with me when 1 came to see
you: / left even my sword-cane at
home"
"You are bold fellow"
"My dear Langlade, this is the second
time you have used that expression.
confess to you hate repetition"
"And do you really think am going
to let you handcuff me?"
"Iou are going to do one Of two
things: you are going either to kill me
or to let me handcuff you. Between
you and me, which you choose is a
matter of perfect Indifference to me !;
but choose you shall"
"Don't you prize your life? ?"
"If priced my life, should have
! come here to wake you up this morning ?
Do you prize life?"
"Why, yes; just now must say l do.
, l am loved"
"You are lovedl really? Lucky
dog"
Gam mot ?" exclaimed Langlade,
Strengthening himself up with self
satisfied air.
Nibert took out his green eyeglasses
) and eyed the escaped convict from head
to foot, then said: "The truth is, your
father and mother did not play the
churl with you when they introduced
: you to life. They gave you good meas
ure. You fill large space on earth. l
: can understand how it is women should
adore you-they have such wretched
/ taste"
Then, changing his tone suddenly,
, and turning his back to Langlade, he
; said: at is rather cold here. You for
| got to light your fire this morning. Let
us be moving. They are waiting for
US"
Where 2"
I" At the Jail. 1 believe you will be
| better off there than anywhere else. In
} the first place, you will get there in time
, to be examined tomorrow. And rest
assured, as you are an old hand, you
: will be treated with all proper attention.
, You will not be mixed up with the
small fry. You shall have a cell to
yourself"
Are you making butt of me?"
bawlcd Langlade.
Don't scream so loud, man You
will wake up all your neighbors. Recol-
lect, it is only six O'Clock in the morn
| ing"
"The report of the revolver when I
/ blow out your brains will wake them
up still more effectually."
t "Hush! hush hush hush! You do
, nothing but menace execution is not
your part"
l Vibert, as he made this remark, fell
! |
/ Langlade's bed. The escaped convict,
l exasperated beyond all bounds, sprang
toward the bed, and placed the muzzlc
} of the revolver on Nibert's temple.
= The detective looked steadily at Lang.
J lade. They remained in their respect
i've positions for a minute. Then tho
escaped convict lowered his eyes, let
g his revolver fall on the bed, and drew
!, back, eXclaiming: "A thousand thun'
4 ders dare not kill him, after all"
"Well, after all" said Nibert, rising
e from the bed, and adroitiy slipping
e the revolver into his pocket as he rose
= 'yOu will not kill me. l must still live
b and suffer"
care you unhappy" asked Lang
e lade, coming up to him.
= Say, most wretched. So wretched
: would gladly change places with yor
and make you the detective, could l bt
/ the escaped victim carried back to th'
J, hulks. But ! did not come here to con
5 fess my griefs to you. Let us be going
c $50, if you please. l will not xii
j. you, but here l stay"
n "That is impossible, my dear Lang
It lade. lhave pledged my word of homo
e to bring you to the Jail. Now don't pu
on any airs. You are good fellow; 81
g am |. Let MS come to an understandin!