The Arizona champion., 1890-09-27

for means of escape, led the way to the kitchen. They ate ravenously, ey- ing Dick the while.
 Come" said one, give us dancep' Did Dick refuse? Oh! no! He cut as good a shuttle as he could. After this by-play Bunker rose, stretched himself and looked at the clock. the hands of which indicated that it was quarter of one o'clock.
 "Ah! the time goes! And now to work. Now for the silver! Unless, " he added, hopefully, and glancing at Beggs, you've got something in the house to moisten our whistles? No rum or gin?"
 At this Beggs gave silent chirrup, and then started in on something be- tween cough and choke.
 Dick had been regarding for some time with growing suspicion the eccen- tric actions of Beggs, and with this last caper a sudden light seemed to dawn upon him. He choked down the words that came to his lips, however, and re- pressed all signs of recognition.
 ''Great Scottr' he ejaculated, internal ly. "What an idiot was not to have guessed it before. But just see if l don't have my revenge"
 No" he said aloud. 'There's noth- ing of the kind in the house, but if you don't object to lighter drink, there is some new cider in the cellar"
 'Object," said Beggs, looking at Dun- l o EEIUall I rnocc mt We would have pHaferred something a little stronger, but cider will have to answer" The cellar door was open.
 Beggs ran down three or four steps, but Bunker had forgotten to take his re- volver, and now turned back for it. But he reckoned without his host, for with a leap Dick was on him, and he shot through the door and fell on his com panion with thud. Both alternately tumbled and rolled to the last step.
 Dick listened anxiously for minute. Had he hurt them? No, for there was a sound of ascending feet on the stair way. He hurriedly slammed the door, locked and bolted it. He then put his ear to the crack and heard muttered l consultation between the two. 1 Finally there was tap on the door.
 What is it?'' he asked, striving to contain himself.
 1.-The game's up, Dick. Open and let us out. It is I, Tom, and your Cousin Jack" said the voice of Bunker.
 ''So Jack is there," thought Dick, but he only said, dwelling exasperatingly on the false name of his chum: ''Whats that you say, Bunker? Speak louder. 3
 THE SECOND SURPRISE.
 Despite the energetic approximations of his Cousin Jack and his chum, Tom, Dick could not be prevailed upon to utter another syllable. He stole around to the cellar door and secured it from the outside. The windows to the coal bins were similarly secured and then Dick tiptoed back into the house. He paused a minute to listen at the cellar door and then went upstairs for book to read. He intended to keep the boys in suspense for half an hour or so and then liberate them. This, he thought, would about equalize the joke.
 He left the pistol on the table and slowly ascended the stairs. As he reached the top he was treated to sec ond surprise. Hardly was his foot on the landing than he was grasped rudely by the throat and ordered to throw up his hands. The sudden attack threw him into such a mental condition that his new captor was obliged to tighten his hold upon his throat before Dick | %n ( m command. He was then unceremoni- ously marched into his bedroom, where the light was still burning.