Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-02-14

CioUnes, NObnlnB Oh consequence Wa3
taken from him except a slip Of paper.
on which was written In plainly dis
guised hand the words;
"At half past 10. Beready, Give the
drug at 10. II not taken quietly, make
sure. Want no chance for screaming
Be sure the right amounts not too much
Must be no injury done. Want no acct
dents"
Tom puzzled over it. The man sitting
on the floor looked at him sullenly, but
did not speak.
The meaning Of the words flashed upon
Tom. Some one was coming at half
past ten, and she was to be drugged SO
that she could not make disturbance.
He looked at his watch. 1t was nearly
ten.
"Where is the drugp" he asked.
The man was taken off his guard, and
his eyes turned to shelf in the corner
of the room.
Tom crossed to the place thus indi-
Gated. Behind pile Of papers he found
a BOTTLE 1t was filled with a colorless
liquid.
"Ah, hal" he cried. "Well, my fino
fellow, you won't make sure tonight,
will your She's not here. She has left.
Nevertheless, we'll be ready"
The man turned upon him a look of
bitter malignity, and opened his mouth
as if to speak, when he was prevented
by cry of surprise from the chief,
Hanford.
Hello! Hellol Why, boys, this is a
capture indeed. And who do you think
this ISL" bending down and peering into
the handcuffed mans face,
"Who?" asked Tom.
Oscar Top Johnny, of all men in the
world. This is good nights haul
Twenty hundred dollars reward for
this bird. He's been wanted these eight
cen months for the stealing of the child
of that rich man near Hartford"
With this he took the mans head in
his hands and parting the hair showed a
deep scar on it.
can old acquaintance, Tom. gave
him this scar myself six years ago, when
he and gang were robbing express cars
| in the west"
The man had evidently determined
| that, whatever else might occur, speech
from him would not and he contented
himself with bending a look of deep
hatred on the jubilant chief.
Tom, who had been looking on this
scene with great interest, said to the
man:
you didn't abduct this girl on your
own accord. You were hired to do it?''
An expression on the scoundrers face
showed him that he had hit the truth
closely. This time he spoke.
Il didn't abduct her."
"Oh, you didn't, You simply took
care Of her after abduction"
This time Tom had hit the truth
squarely, and the mans face showed it.
WHO was the man who hired your
Scar Top Johnny regarded Tom with
contemptuous sheer.
"Well," said Tom, you can answer oil
not as you please. We can wait for the
half past ten man. He'll tell
The face Of Scar Top Johnny lit W
with passing thought, and an expires
sion of resolve passed over it.
Tom interpreted it accurately, but be
fore he could act upon it, the Shadow
gave warning of another conner, and {
foot was heard stumbling in the dark
| ness.
The chief, however, had also penetrat
ed the purpose of his prisoner, and press
ing the muzzle of his revolver agains
Scar Top Johnny's head, he said;
"If you utter cry, or make an alarm
I'll blow your brains out The reward il
dead or alive
The next moment there was knocl
at the door.
Tom, who was closely watching tn
face of the villain on the floor, saw al
expression of surprise fit over it, an(
saw him turn his head toward the doc
with a look of curiosity.
The chief called out in loud voice:
ENTER
The door swung open and in walked
Harry Fountain.
He was dressed in the same kind of
suit as that the U. S. rs had mad
their uniform.