The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-05

carry to his grave. tell yer. h
couldn't hide that scar whatever b
did"
Just then the clock struck II, and a
the same moment there was a thunder
ing knock at the door and Foster
voice was heard imperatively demand
ing admission.
"That's Fosterl" I gasped, appar
emily overcome with terror. "Shouldn'
wonder If it's me he's after" And
Owed under the table without furthel
ceremony, while my companions shift
ed their chairs, go as to keep theii
backs to the door. which, after som,
parley, Magnify opened. and Fostel
strobe In.
Magnify" he said in loud voice
"is that chap who Is working for Mr.
Ingram here just now,'
"Well," answered Magnify, looking
round the room, che was here a few
minutes ago, sir. But I reckon he'I
gone"
"Humphr said Foster "Whict
way did he goa"
"I'm sure I can't say, sir"
"Won't, you mean," snapped Eos
ter "Well, see here, Magnify, If that
man, Pete Larkin"-the name I had
assumed-"turns up again, l require
you to report the fact to me. have
reason to believe he is the very man
the Melbourne troopers are after-one
Of Laurence's gang, in fact. Who are
your" he continued roughly, swinging
round to the table under which ]
groveled. clasping Frank and Jem by
the legs, as if in mute appeal. though,
after my threat, knew there was lit
tie chance of their turning On me.
"We're shearers, sir, said Frank in
answer to Foster query. "We're going
to try for job at Toomburra in the
morning"
"Shearers, are you9" said Foster in
hectoring tone. "Well, you may be,
though I have my doubts Of you. I'll
ride over TO Toomburra tomorrow, and,
il you are not there, the farther away
from here you are the better for you.
Now. Magnify, remember what I said
about Pete Larkin. And Foster, hav-
ing played his game of bluff to my en-
tire satisfaction, staggered out Of the
room.
An unnatural quiet reigned for the
next ten minutes, and then Magnify
opened the door, stood by it for a mo-
ment, and, as IL addressing nobody in
particular, said, "He's gone, and
there's two or three here as had better
go after him." With which he re-
treated into another room, leaving the
outer door open.
crawled from under the table. Jem
and Frank stood up, and with one &C.
cord we passed out into the night
Had lem and Frank not been in such
a hurry to leave the inn behind them
they might have observed dark. al
most indistinguishable figure standing
stiffly against the wall Of the hut and
have noticed hand stretched swiftly
out to grasp scrap Of paper, which
l had scribbled under the table, and
which bore but three words "Long
mountain. Quickr' But they saw
nothing, noticed nothing, and with me
hard at their heels pushed rapidly
through the bush toward the south.
For an hour or more we hurried on
in single file. threading the long aisles
of gum trees under the silent stars. and
then at last Jem spoke. "We're well
out of that. boys" he said. "But we
must hurry on, for, now them hounds
of troopers has got their noses to the
ground, they won't be long picking up
the scent, and we've a good seven
hours walk before we get there"
As a matter of fact it was nearer 10,
and the forenoon was well advanced
when we stood at last upon the wooded
slopes of Long mountain. Here, to my
intense relief. Jem called halt.
Were all right now, he said, rub
bling his hands. "They may look a
long time afore they find us here. Now,
then. let's build fire and boil billy
Of tea. and then we'll take snooze."
"But what about the blunt2"
asked.
"Pshawl" grunted Jem. "Ye're
mighty anxious It's over there by that
waterfall. ="
The two men now hustled about,
Jem gathering sticks, while Frank
went down to the waterfall to fill the
billy. When he came back, rose to
lend hand. when suddenly l felt
loose on my cheek, and the
next moment my paste patch fell at
my feet. Instantly flung myself face
downward on the ground-quick
enough, as 1 thought, to prevent the
men from catching glimpse of my
altered features.
I'm dead beat" muttered, pillow
ing my face on my arms h"
"Have pannikin of tea, mate. It'll
fresh yer up. suggested Jem.
Don't want none" l answered
without raising my head. II tell yer
must sleep"
They withdrew few PAGES, and, as
they bent over log to raise 1t, no.
Iced that their heads were very close
together for moment. own, how
aver, that l suspected nothing, for
did not believe they could have seen
my face. Carrying the log between
hem. they brought it up and cast IT
IN the fire. Then Jem stepped back a
'ace or two, stretched his arms above
lis head, as II about to yawn, and be.
ore could even realize what he was
bout or roll over to get out of his way
ell with all his tremendous weight fiat
lpon me, The breath went out of my
,ody with rush, and as lay almost
enseless Frank stopped down and
rev my arms out straight Then. bend.
ng them backward, he rummaged in
ny pockets and producing pair OF
he very handouts l had destined for
lin, clicked them on my wrists, rapid.
y undid bic waist strap and fastened
ny legs together and then, rising to
lis feet, laughed long and loudly
"Ho, no, hol' he crowcd. "That
vas a mighty smart trick. my noble
,ut we've went one better Gosh II
vas near thing though If hadn't
cen looking yer way when the patch
ell off, been dons Get up, l