Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-07-17

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"I've been dogging you for the last
10 minutes and was on the point Of or
dering you to throw up your hands when
you played it on Jake there.
II knew some one was behind me.
but did not suspect it was you. Well,
we've got this noble youth. Bob, You
will be 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 Gone, because Of his greater
familiarity with the spot, took the lead,
the marshal at his heels and both tread
ing with the care of a 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 it, doing the
same.
|
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 shufaed 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 q
whisper.
"Steph. I lib in dis house"
"Who are you waiting for?"
"Dine and de children. Dey went to
de sarcus ober at Hackumsack. Tze
waitin for 'em to come home afore I
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
introdooced to de oder. Seems to be
habin q lively time Guess dey ana
'scussing de tariff.
The last remark was caused by q
sound as if somebody was thrown vio-
lently to the floor. Such was the fact,
for Just then Tom Discoe went over on
his back, and I began fastening the
cords about his lower limbs.
The front door had been closed before
our stirring interview, but the two off.
GERS slipped forward, one to the front
and the other to the rear window. They
expected a desperate fight and were
ready for it.
It need not be said that they were as
founded at what they saw. Tom Discoe
was lying on his back, with his ankles
tied together and a pair of handouts
encircling his wrists. Their eyes had
hardly rested upon him when he emitted
his terrific yell
Since they regarded me as one OF the
trio of criminals, their natural conclu-
sion was that there had been a quarrel
between us and that had overcome and
bound the larger man.
was contemplating my work with
grim satisfaction when saw the dim
outlines Of mans face at the rear win
dow. My first thought was that he was
Jake Huke, whom had never seen. If
so, a pretty row impended, for I had
not taken the pains to appropriate the
revolver of my prisoner. The third man
was beyond reach and could wing me
before it was possible to reach him.
Without any evidence of my discovery,
I glanced at the closed door on the other
side of the room, wondering how quick
ly I could make my exit therefrom.
The second window was near the
door, and peering through the panes
was another man, evidently as much
perple1ed as his companion by what he
saw.
This gave me hope, though it did not
wholly remove my misgivings until,
looking again, I recognized Covey Cone.
That made it clear. He had followed me
to this place, arriving at the most op-
perfume time conceivable.
Come in, Cone. have everything
ready for you"
The summons could not have lessened
the amazement of the officer, who drew
back from the window, raised the latch
and entered.
"Mr. Westcott, I'm sorry, bat I shall
have to ask you to put up your hands
until you are disarmed," he said, with
some embarrassment
~ Ishan't do anything of the kind, for
I'm no outlaw and haven't weapon
about me-"
He was nonplused. He could not
treat me as criminal. and yet he be-
lieved l was as guilty as the man lying
bound and helpless on the floor.
81 accept your word," he said, with
some embarrassment, "but the marshal
may not be equally considerate.
''If he is impertinent, I'll fling him
to the floor and bind him as I have
bound Mr. Tom Discoe there"
Detective Cone looked down on the
wretch, who had ceased to struggle and
only glared in sullen fury at us.
"Heavensl Did you do that. West
cott?"
"No," replied, with mock gravity.
"Tom did it himself. He first fastened