The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-10-19
CHAPTER XVI,
NEVERTHELESS A PRISONER

| Viz Vi tHt Luust NleelIdUle IhCultltS Ill
the affairs Of this world is that of being
| able instantly to recognize and accept
facts The man to whom Marshal Well
ing addressed his peremptory command
possessed that faculty, as he proved by
instantly reaching with both hands to-
ward the stars.
''Step out into the road, where I can
have better look at you. Be careful;
no nonsensel'
The prisoner moved sullenly into the
roadway, where the full moonlight fell
upon him.
"Umph, it's you, Jakel I thought 80.
The jig's up"
80 I see. Can't I put my hands
DOWN.
"Not yet" was the reply, while the
officer kept his revolver leve1ed.
Almost at the same moment the figure
Of third man appeared. coming from
point in the wood behind the captive.
= A glance showed him to be Deputy
Burton. He, too. had been stealing upon
the criminal, and he was only few
seconds behind his chief.
stake his guns from him, Bob, said
the marshal to his assistant, who
promptly complied, removing couple
Of fine weapons
''Sure that's alp"
"He hasn't anything more unless it's
hidden in his mouth or ears"
"Well. then, Jake, you can let down
your hands, but not yawp, or I'll bore
hole through you"
1t may be that Jake Huke, finding
himself prisoner to the law officers,
was quite content that his confederate
should share his misfortune. Perhaps,
too, he held the resolute marshal in
wholesome respect. AT any rate, he re-
manned as mute as lamb until appeal
ed to-
''Where is that stone house, Jake?"
Find out for yourself" growled the
captive. II amt squealing."
Your information would do little
good and your refusal no hurt. Hellol'
And, 10! fourth man came from the
wood with the noiselessness of shadow
and joined the group in the highway.
"Well, I'll be hangedr' no muttered,
recognizing the others. Marshal Well
ing turned his head.
''Where have you kept yourself, Gov
ey?'
GIVE been DIGGING you for the last
10 minutes and was on the point of Or
dering you to throw up your hands when
Won plaved IL on lake there -
II knew some ono was behind me.
but did not suspect it was you. Well,
we've got this noble youth. Bob. you
will DO good enough to stay here in the
road with him till we come back. Come,
Cone, lead the way to the house, for
there's another youth that we're inter
ested in. Keep the scamp covered, Bob"
Never fear for me"
Detective Cone, because Of his greater
familiarity with the spot, took the lead,
the marshal at his heels and both tread
ing with the care Of couple Of veteran
scouts stealing into hostile camp.
1t will be remembered that the dis
tance was short, but it was not half
passed when the detective heard some
one in front Of him. He stopped. the
marshal, who also noted 1t, doing the
same.
Hello, Dine! Am dat yo2"
The tremulous inquiry left no doubt
as to the identity Of the one that had
hailed them.
"Come forward" added Cone in a
guarded voice. "We won't hurt you"
The negro shuffled toward them. A
break in the branches overhead let
through enough moonlight to reveal the
African, who was evidently in a state
Of excessive terror.
"Who are your" asked Cone in
whisper.
"Steph. I lib in dis house."
"Who are you waiting for?"
"Dine and de children. Dey went to
do sarcus ober at Hackumsack. I'ze
waitin for 'em to come home afore
goes to bed"
II should say it's rather early to ex-
pect them, but if you live in this house
you can tell who is inside"
"Yaas, sir. Dere am two gemmen.
One am Mr.. Jones, and I haben't been
introduced to de oder. Seems to be
habin lively time Guess dey ON
'soussing dc tariff."
The last remark was caused by q
sound as If somebody was thrown vio-
lently to the 9oor. Such was the fact,
for Just then Tom Discoe went over on
his back, and began fastening the
cords about bis lower limbs.
The front door had been closed before
our stirring interview, but the two off.
GERS slipped forward, one to the front
and tho other to the rear window. They
expected q desperate fight and were
ready tog II ..-