The Delta independent., 1896-03-04
To h co~ss,.ssA II s,,r sers i..x-.)

"The conditions have not disturbed,
they have only concentrated my facul-
ties" replied Calicot, land circum-
stances have aided me in an almost
supernatural manner. have been
able to penetrate Hendricks designs
beyond this stronghold. You will see
that this is not diseased fancy when
l explain to you. In the first place he
has a wire under ground to some other
rendezvous that is in communication
with the world. Mrs. Hendricks and
Fenning are at that place, wherever it
is. But the important thing is that
have been able to read their dis
patches"
"Have you, indeed9" rema rked
Stocking. Hendricks has taken you
into his full confidence, then"
mo. But you forget Miss Endicott."
"And you depend upon her ravings."
Not at all. Events have corrobo-
rated her day by day."
"What have you learned7'
"This: that Hendricks co-conspira-
tors have an army scattered through
the country ready to be massed at
any moment. 1t is directed from this
safe retreat; a campaign of destruction
is going on. It is sweeping into its
vortex all the mad elements of our
times, and the conceiving brain of it is
hidden away safely; the victimized
world cannot imagine, much less ac-
cept as fact, the prodigious audacity
upon which the whole scheme is built,
and incredible machinery of which we
H. .ol
United States gunboat off the bayou
because the commander of the boat
could not get it into his head that 9
sufficient force was organized to drop
upon him from both sides of the river.
The government arsenal at Leavcn-
worth has been robbed because the
government would not believe that
there was force sufficient to take that
place. There is at this moment a large
body Of United States troops concen-
trating in Upton county, but the move
has been foreseen and calculated by
Hendricks, and it takes place rs if he
were directing it These men will be
6nnihilated over our heads and we
shall not hear q sound"
"Yes," said Stocking, with more
bitterness than amazement, ''he ispres-
cient and invincible-in your mind"
''On the contrary" replied Calicot,
s'he is human, fallib1e and vulnerable.
1t has cost me many sleepless nights
to find it out. but have found it out,
and with that knowledge I will free
you and Miss franklin if you will fol-
low my directions unquestioningly."
II am afraid" said Stocking, who
was regarding him with something
like pity, "that you have worked your
self into q morbid condition of mind
If your scheme were reasonable, why
not appeal to my reason instead of my
faith?"
Because" replied Calicot, 'it is
reason which is working all this mis-
chief, and faith alone can circumvent
it. don't want to argue that with
you now. want your cooperation to
demonstrate it, and, believe me, when
it is demonstrated you will be the first
to acknowledge its truth and efficacy.
One other point-this man Fenning in
tends, with Hendricks assistance, to
get possession of Miss Franklin. They
are only waiting for favorable oppor-
tunity to send her away. At any mo-
ment she may disappear forever SO far
as you and I are concerned. She Is
breaking down with the apprehension.
To save her. at least, I count upon
your faith. If it were merely . matter
Of bravery, would not have to ask
you."
Stocking was evidently touched.
"You are thinking" he said, ''only Of
Miss Franklin and me. Will you not
free yourself2"
Calicot hesitated moment. His
face looked white and hard to Stock
ing. Eyes," he replied, II will be
free, but it depends on your implicitly
following my directions"
There was q moments silence. The
two men looked at each other.
81 wish" said Stocking, "that you
would tell me frankly what is in your
mind"
But he had placed his hand in that
of his friend.
AL Calicot said was: IT will write 1t
eli down carefully for you"
CHAPTER XII