San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-05-17

I
back toward me- From my lower posi-
ton could not see 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?"
The last words were spoken in sharp,
ringing tone, and at the same moment
the girl drew long knife from beneath
the overskirt of her dress and stood with
it in her hand. Surprised at her action,
hesitated half an instant-in that half
instant Slurk had thrown himself to-
ward me and grasped me around the
body with his long, powerful arms AL
most simultaneously with his attack
felt myself borne down by heavy
weight from behind and my arms pin
Toned. The struggle for minute or
two was tremendous, but felt that l
was overpowered! A hand was pressing
hard against my windpipe. Kate stood
there with her knife, new and strange
expression on her face, but she did not
stir.
At length painting voice close to my
cara voice which | knew well, and
which, heard now, so amazed me that
/ almost ceased to resist-said:
sI,x,o c,o4 hin, 20 l,a,o S1,,rl>
you got his legs?"
A grunt from Slurk intimated that he
had.
Now then, Kittie," continued Mr..
Birchmore, ''be quick there, will your"
Kate came toward me with her knife.
At that sight | uttered a 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. Il don't want to hurt him."
They mastered me, and then, with a
rapidity and dizziness that showed the
practiced professional, Kate made cir
cular cut through the breast of my coat
and drew out the diamonds.
That's 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 my feet securely. made lit
tie resistance, but submitted in sullen
silence.
"Don't forget his revolver" said Birch
more when this was done, and turning
me over they took the weapon from my
pocket.
How do you feel now, young gentle
mann inquired the fellow, addressing
me with 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, to keep out of our way, but
idle curiosity has been your ruin. Kit
tie, put On the diamonds; he says they
become you"
Slurk grinned at this sally, but the
girl said modify: Don't bother the
boy, Jack He behaved like a gentle
man all through. He'd make a great
deal better, husband than you do.
Heigho"
"Weli, 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, Mr.. Gainsborough,"
said Slurk, also speaking in English,
though with a foreign accent; we've
got what we wanted out of you, and we
don't want to do you any more harm
than is necessary. But we must have
time to get safe away, and to do that we
must allow twenty-four hours. Weshan
leave you at the bottom of this pit,with
some provisions, and shall loosen your
arms enough so that you can feed your
self After we are safe shall write to
your friends at the farmhouse, who are
very honest persons, believe, and they
will come here and get you out. That
is the best we can do for you. Now,
then, Jack"
They loosed the cord little around
my arms; then, taking it by the slack
end, they lowered me into that dark
chasm until | rested at the bottom.
Then | saw Hates face above the edge,
between me and the sky, with some
thing wrapped up in paper in her hand.
Here's some sandwiches for you, my
poor boy" said she. I'm sorry to say
goodby to you in this way, really. But
don't suppose you'd have me now, even
if Jack weren't my husband already
Well. goodby: don't firt too much with
that silly little Christina when you get
out. There are the sandwiches"
She let them fall beside me, nodded,