Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-11-12
40 4

on the bottom Of the cosch with
cry Of terror, which was feebl,
echoed by Mr.. Smith. In obedi
ence to a agruff command Macarthur
handed his revolvers to the smaller
of the two road agents, who seem.
ing to be assured that no weaponl
were worn by any other of the par
ty, caused us TO alight.
Ned and myself had about s75C
between rs and a bill of exchange
on bank is Cspetown, which the
taller robber took from US. Nc.
Arthur 'rsved and storned = hs
was relieved Of bis belt.
The little man wrung his hands
and raised his voice in meek sup.
plication, while his spectacled eyes
were fixed in o sort of fascination,
upon the ruffian who held the pre-
sented rifle. Mr.. Smith piteoIsly
entreated that the mazzle of the
loaded rifle be turned aside from
his afrighted face. With hoarse
laugh the road agent tossed iii. rifle
into the hollow of his arm.
Then there was q transfer m alton
scene indeed. The small man
Strengthened up, aud with q quick
ness which seemed almost incredi-
BILE. showing his hands into the side
pockets of his linen coat, he drew
them out with a cooked revolver in
each.
The shorter ruffian staggered and
fell. shot through the heart, and
his astounded companion, with a
yell of mingled pain and rage,
spraDg for his rife which lay be-
side him on the ground, bat he was
too late. Before his fingers closed
upon its shining barrel he stun bled
forward with ball through his
brain.
Deadly weapons come handy
sometimes, after all, gentlemen
he remarked.
noticed curious change in his
voice and manner. So, too, did
Macarthur, who stood for q moment
looking at him with seeming per-
plexity in the midst Of his too evil
dent stupefaction.
Meanwhile, Ned, who was of
practical turn. began taking from
the capacious pockets Of the taller
of the two outlaws the valuables
and money of which our company
had been dispoiled. and returning
them to the owners.
At last he came to bit of wash
leather in one Of the pockets, from
which rolled a diamond OF such
peculiar shape, size and color-for
it was one OF those rare gems, 3
perfect rose diamoni--that both
Ned and myself uttered a simulta-
neous cry Of astonishment and de-
light, as we'll we might, for it was
our stolen diamond.
You are in luck, gentlemen
quietly remarked Mr.. Smith, who
had been watching the whole pro-
cedure, while Macarthur stood look
ing on with covetous eyes. Il see
that this is the stone that you had
stolen from you in the camp some
days since. had a glimpse of it,
and | should know it among a
thousand
Macarthur, who. with his recov-
cred revolvers, which he had buckl-
ed on, had assumed his usual air OF
braggadocio, was heard to express
considerable dissatisfaction. His
idea was that under the circu mstan-
ces, the whole party had q sort Of
common interest in the diamond to
which the brokers gave ready as.
sent.
I'D like to ace anyone try to take
it " said Ned, with a dangerous
gleam in his eyes.
Little Mr.. Smith nodding ap-
provingly, removed from the dead
mans body the money belt, Of
which Mr.. Macarthur had been de-
prived. But instead Of handing it
to that gentleman, he buckled it
about his own waist, With al agree.
able smile.
What does this mean? yelled
Macarthur, whose face was purple
with rage when no less to bis on n
than our establishment, his arms
we're pinioned by the little colpor-
teur, who seemed TO have the
strength Of two ordinary men. and
in another instant his wrists were
adorned with q pair Of shining
steel handouts.