The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-09-24

| 4 erash Of siaas 70 ny right sst my nerves
tinRiing.
across the yard, ana tried the door. II
was unlocked, and then-why, then
| Jest follered my big nose till il led me
here"
allow much time do you say elapsed
between the putting out OF the light and
your appearance in this room?"
Three minutes, maybe. Not more -
Good heavens! And it had seemed TO
me three hours!
Motioning to Jap to remain where ne
was, l hurriedly entered the front room
and glanced at Burlington. He was
sleeping calmly.
Jap" said l, softly, something must
be done"
That's right" said he. "Let's do II. :"
You stay with Mr.. Burlington. 1
must see your master at once"
Gerard occupied Nancy's room, who
was sleeping with her mother. In less
than five minutes ! had recited the
facts. He listened attentively, his gilt
tering eyes bent sternly upon mine:
that he fully assimilatcd my amazing
narrative could not doubt.
"Demetrius," I said, in conclusion.
"murlered Ferdinand Perkins, partly
from jealous rage, partly TO pave the
way for his own advancement Every
thing else follows in natural sequence.
He alone knew that Perkins, not you,
would be left that fatal night; he was
in possession of your cipher: he took
advantage Of your love for Mrs. Bur
lingtou TO render you u service which he
thought half your fortune would
ooorcely repay; he. with dcvilish clever
ness. played upon the feelings OF nerv-
Gus woman and bounded her to your
arms; he made capital out OF your shat
tered nerves; he"
Enough" said Gerard. hoarsely; 81
am satisfied. My God! how cruelty
that fend has used me! And" his voice
failed-"and my little Mark is in his
bloody hands! Come! not a second il
&c be lost"
He flung his clothes upon his ianl<y
person. and sputtered out his fears.
Dcmetrius, he felt assured, would hast
en- to the island. hold Mnrls as hostage.
nnd make what terms he pleased. saw
|rkhs force Of this reasoning. As he said.
zd moment wns 10 be wnstcd.
H"Mr. Gerard" said ]. 'you must stay
here. Let me net for you. shnll take
Jap with me. and you can rely upon my
nother-wit TO rescue Mark and bring
Dcmetrius to the gnilows. You are
not" n.
"Hugo." he rejoined, imprcss:vely.
you think I nm n coward, not fit for
snch a desperate adventure rs this will
prove. My lad. fate plays queer tricks
with us. That night at Red Gulch
pnraIyzed my nerves. This nights work
las undone the mischief. Tn ready.
by Jupiter. to encounter thn. monster
singlr-handed. And. Hugo, ! mistrust
that hot head Of yours. My child's life
is at stake. Demetrius IL desperate
II IL comes TO choosing between Marks
life and the capture of the Greek. how
could hesitate? You might precip;tate
more bloolshed. God knows there has
been enough. Come"
A few m,nutea later we were on our
way. Gerard walking wit, fcverish
strides ahead. The nurse was left with
Burlington.
''Jc-roosalemi" whispered Jap TO me.
"ye1l let me have one crack nj the son of
. gun, Mr.. Livingston, won't yc. now p
II want more than one myself. Jap.
But I'll try and remember you"
had formulated In my own mind a
plan which dared not share with Mark
Gerarl. Left 10 himself. foresnrw that
he would sncrifcc Justice 10 his love for
the boy-thnt the Greek would go scot
free. TO enjoy his ill-gotten gains. And
such . thought wns exasperating.
Taking advantage. therefore. Of my
patrons long strides, dropped to the
worthy Jap. He was good enough TO
approve it nightly, and eagerly
proffercd his assistance.
"If we don't corral the cuss, Mr.. Liv-
ingston, swear Tll-Tll never be able
ter kiR Danish Mary nguin-and enj'y
it,
told him TO he Of good cheer and 70
carry out my instructions 70 the lctter.
: BEFORE we crossed the low sand-dunes
which lay between the nnrnhs and the
sea. Jap extinguished the lantern, and
we held a brief council Of wnr. II was
decided 10 treat with the enemy under
friendly cover Of the fog, the whitest
end largest Of faes of truce.
sIt would be wise, y said I, ''to advance
in open order. The hut IL provided with
. largc-bore duck-gun. and a charge Of
swan-shot might excite panic"
ssrII take the center,~ said Gerard,
'ssnd do the talking"
~rn take the left" said Jap, can do
tbe cussin'.~
.s4lnd III take the right" !" sajd I. "and
keep my mouth shut"
- IL 49, . ~