Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-02-23
CHAPTER XXI,

hand as the light was flashed upon tn
bed and into the corners Of the room
and then turned off.
"Al right, boys" was whispered
and man swung himself into tn
room. "Re qlick and shut the win
dow"
A second man crept softly in, ant
the third was half in, when he slip
ped, threw out his hand to save him
self, struck against one Of his com
panions and drove him back agains
the curtain, and upon Capel.
Light! Bankers! some one here"
Capel heard the words, saw thu
flash, and struck at the hand that helt
1t.
The blade fell heavily upon the
lantern, and dashed it to the floor
whore 1t went out
Raising the sword, he struck again;
but, as he did so, one of the mer
sprung ut him, and the blow that fel
was upon the fellows shoulder, and
with the hilt of the sword.
Capel was borne back by the mans
fierce spring; his feet became en-.
tangled in the curtain, and he fell
heavily, with his adversary upon him
"Quick! Norris" whispered a voice
mo, no. Curse you. Shut the win
dow. There's only one. Where's your
matches? Quick, light the glim! All,
would you! Lie still, and bite that
j,tpi ot,, A.,
trigger"
The barrel of revolver had been
thrust between Capels teeth; and as
he lay back with the man on his chest,
half stunned, helpless, and despairing,
he saw indistinctly the figure against
the window heard the sash slide down,
and the darkness was complete as the
curtain was drawn over the panes.
Then there was the faint streak of
light as match was struck the
bull's-eye lantern was picked up and
relit. and the bright rays once more
played all about the room.
The man who held 1t then went to
the door and listened
IT'S all right" he whispered. "You
said nobody can't hear what goes on
In this room. These curtains would
suifocatc n trumpet. Here, YOU" he
cried to the third man." don't stand
shivering like that. Take that cary
ing-knife out OF his hand. Pull the
trigger, Dick, If he stirs."
This to the man kneelng on Capcl's
chest
Capel lay absolutely powerless at
that moment; but, as the third fellow
caught him by the wrist, the Young
man wrenched his head on one side,
and heaved himself up, so that he
partially dtslodged the rufl1an who held
him down. At the same time he
swung the saber round, driving the
third back, and striking the principal
adversary so sharp blow that he slip
ped side, and Capel leaped to his
feet.
At that moment the light was turned
off, and there was a rush made to get
beyond his reach.
Capel also took advantage OF the to-
tai darkness to step back; but he held
the weapon ready for cut, should
an attack be made.
As he stood there. painting. a low
whisper rose from the direction OF the
door. and he Just caught its import
GIVE me the light"
There was n click directly after, and
then from about the middle of the
room the dazzling light of the bulls
eye shono out full upon Capel as he
stood with appraised sword, while his
ASSISTANTS were in the dark.
Now. then" said the voice. which
he recognized MS that of man who
had held the pistol to his mouth,
throw down that tool"
Give up. you scoundrel!" cried Ca
pei. "You can't escape"
Cant we?" said the man between
his teeth. More can't you. Now. then,
will you throw down that sword?"
No" said Capel furiously. You've
walked into trap. so give up"
Go on" said the voice of the lesser
man
~ NihN llpllthi illtlc WIS Il uIlSul
flash of light, sharp report, and
Capcl felt sensation as If he had
been struck violent blow on the
left shoulder, which half spun him
round, while the round glistening
disk of light seemed to have darted
back to the side OF the bed.
Half stunned. but full of fight, Capel
turned and made for the light once
more, when there was another flash
4 quick shot, and this time the blow
seemed to have fallen on the top of his
head, and stunned and helpless, the
sword dropped from his hand, and he
fell on chair. and from that on to
the floor.
You've killed him! You've killed
him!"
Good job, too. Think wanted my
skin turned into pork cracking with
that sword" Hold your row, will yer,
Or"
I'VE shall be taken and hung. oh,
my arm!"
Look here, my dear pal" said the
L