The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-01-15

When Ivan changed clothes with
Maux he took care to retain the pistol
which he always carried. This he now
grasped with his right hand, and the
moment the man was fully inside the
cell, he seized him by the throat with
the left and threw him on the cot.
"One word! Whisper an alarm, "
,, Kissed Ivan, as with the strength OF q
giant he held the astonished turnkey
down, "and YOU are dead man"
The lantern fell on the bed, but did
not extinguisl.
By it's light the turnkey recognized
the face and dress of the man bending
over him, and he very naturally took
him to be his old associate Maux, Tor
whom he entertained no love.
"Maux! Maux! I'll do as you sayl"
the man managed to gasp.
Ivan released his hold somewhat,
and said, for he did not want the per-
son he represented to suffer for this
conduct:
Il am not Maux."
"Not Maux?"
NO"
"Then, in the name of saints, who
are you:"
"That matters not to you. I got in
here by. mistake
"A mistake!" echoed the man, whose
eyes threatened to pop out OF his
head.
Hist! You must do as I say; I am
& desperate man."
II see that"
"If you value your life, obey me-
Il will, I will" gasped the frightened
wretch.
Still covering the man with his pi5-
tol, Ivan stepped back, and, taking the
lamp from the bed, set it on the floor.
and lowered it.
"Now," he said, "let me have your
key"
Seeing there was nothing else to do,
the man unbuckled the heavy belt and
handed it to Ivan.
"Now take off your coat and hat
Don't growl; I will give you those 1.
have on, which are quite as good.
The turnkey groaned, but there was
nothing for it but to comply with this
request.
With his back to the door, Ivan
quickly made the change, and the
trembling man asked:
"That is all want you to give me,
but am not through with YOU"
"Pray do not harm me-"
IT shall not, if you still obey; but,
mark you, am fighting for my own
life, and it is more precious than yours.
Now lie out at full length on the bed"
said Ivan, with unmistakable resolu-
tion in his low tones.
what are you going to do with me?"
asked the turnkey, as he obeyed this
command.
II am going to'tie aud gag you'll"
-Un, Lorur
Not word!"
With surprising .quickness, Ivan
cut the blanket into STRIPS, which he
twisted. and then proceeded to tie the
mans hands and feet.
This done, he gagged him with the
heavy woolen muller which he had
been wearing about his own neck.
"Now," he said, as he took up the
lantern, Il shall assume your character
till get out of the prison, then will
send word to the Governor, explain
your situation, and you Will be re-
leased"
The man groaned out and shook his
head, but of course could say nothing.
Ivan ran his arm through the ring
that supported the lantern, and going
out he closed, but did not lock, the
cell door behind him.
So far he had succeeded beyond his
expectations, but he was not yet out
of the prison.
He felt that he could go back the
route by which Lance had led him in,
but the spirit of audacity was stirred
up in him, and formed the resolution
of going out the regular way.
He knaw nothing about the where
abouts Of the cells, nor of the ar
rangement of the prison, but he did
know that the turnkey had to report
every half-hour, and he noted that this
was timed by O bell that tolied solemn
L. through the corridors.
he was prepared 10 answer tue oeil'
when the door leading to the recep'
tion-room was swung open and an OF.
Gcial called out:
Turnkey, turnkey--this way for
prisoners.
Ivan hastened out. and to his amaze
r,ent he saw Lance and Laux standing
before the desk