The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-11-19

| against the blue heavens. L. below,
turned up the cuffs Of my sleeves and
buttoned my coat across my chest.
| "Slurk!" called she, in clear, pene.
.rating tone, "bring the basket here, il
con Oh this side"
| She remained standing there. with her
back toward me- From my lower posi-
ton could notssee whether Slurk were
answering her summons with alacrity
or not; but since it would be his last op-
portunity of obeying her orders, | was
content to let him take his time. By and
by he appeared, with the basket on his
arm; he descended the ledge, and Kate
followed him, with her eyes on me.
''Set it down there, near the edge Of
this pit; not quite so near, please, Now
take hold Of him?" w
The last words were spoken in a sharp,
ringing tone, and at the same moment
the girl drew long knife from beneath
the overskirt CT her dress and stood with
it in her hand. Surprised at her action,
I hesitated half an instant~-in that half
instan: Slurk had thrown himself to-
ward me and grasped me around the
body with his long, powerful arms. Al
most simultaneously with his attack l
felt myself borne down by heavy
weight from behind and my arms pin
toned. The struggle for minute or
two was tremendous, bat felt that
was overpowered. "A hand was pressing
hard against my windpipe. Kate stood
there with her knife, a new and strange
expression on her face. but she did not
stir.
At length a painting voice close to my
cara voice which ! knew we'll. and
which, heard Gow, 50 amazed me that
almost ceased to resist--said:
"I'ye got him safe here, Slurk. Have
you got his legs?" ....>...
A grunt from Slurk int;xnated that he
had.
'Now then, Kittie," continued Mr.
Birchmore, "be quick there, will you"
Kate came toward me with her knife.
at that sight uttered q yell Of animal
rage and made one more desperate effort
to be free.
Hold him tight, can't your" said Kate
in voice that scarcely recognized as
hers II don't want to hurt him.
They mastered me, and then, with q
rapidity and deftncss that showed the
practiced professional, Kate made g. cir
cular cut through the breast of my coat
and drew out the diamonds. ...
'sThats all right remarked Birch
more. "Now the rope'"
She went to the basket and took from
it coil of fine rope. The two men
threw me upon my face and bound my
hands and nv feet securely. made lit
tie resist but submitted in sullen
silence
Don't fors ii his revolver" said Birch
more when this was done, and turning
me over they took the weapon from my
pocket.
"How do you fee! now, young gentle
man, inquired tho fellow, addressing
me with q SMILE ''This is the result of
plotting to throw unfortunate Wallets
into deep pits, and Of flirting with strange
young women. warned you, you re-
member, u keep out Of our. way, but
idle curiosity mas Oeen your ruln. Als'
tie, put ON the diamonds: he says they
become you.
Slurk grinned at this sally, butt the
girl said modify: Don't bother the
boy. Jack. He behaved like q gentle
man all through. He'd make q great
deal better husband than. you do
Heighol"
-. Tell, captain, . continued Birchmore,
addressing Slurk in English, what are
your orders? Shall we lower away now
and be off? It's nearly half past one,
and we've good distance to go before
three"
Listen to. me, MIR. ,Gatnsborough,"
said Slurk, also speaking in English,
though with foreign accent; we've
1900 $50 ---. -po,,+of7 l-,% ne -n-, n,,A