Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-05-18
CHAPTER NNNXII.

SWANY BEAN SETTLES HIS ACCOUNT.
A somber light sifted between the wat
tied hurdles of the door of Sawny Bean 5
prisoner Sawny himself stood reflective
ly over him, after he had removed the
gag from his mouth. There was lum-
nous obscurity in the cave, and the two
men could sean one another without dlfd-
entity The Spy'S black eyes glttcred
under his eye1asheS like the points Of
light in the head of venomous reptile;
He lay on on the tn o sadd' m 1[GiSSo
less and powerless, with nothing
living about him hut the spark. Of hre
which glowed. self-luminOus. like the
eyes of a beast of prey. To him Sawny
Bean appeared in no hurry TO address
himself He stood regarding his some
time ally with sort of curious uncon-
Germ, turned him over again casually
with the point of his toe, as one might
turn over dead snake, and then sat
down beside him on bank of sand.
Herbert Peyton said nothing for some
moments after being relieved of the gag.
His mouth twitched and the muscles OF
his throat worked convulSlTclY.
well. Bean" he said at last. per
hapS you will tell me the meaning of all
thisT'
Sawny said nothing in reply. but slow
ly drew out of the pocket OF his tarrY
COfuuIONS Il S1Ot IldhtI hIlllN WIN Il
curved blade and short handle wrapped
round with resined Irvine. Slowly ele-
waiting one great foot upon It's opposing
knee. he began to whet the edge with a
slow earncstnesS which was not unim-
pressive.
tnued the spy. turning his head aside 10
watch the process of sharpening with
some interest. did you ask me for any
thing that | did not give youE You
promised readily enough to get rid Of the
brat for me. and you We're paid all your
agreement and more. | used You as well
as ever man could use another, and
now you turn against me, when we could
have rid ourselves of mother and son at
once
He paused to mark the effect of his
words. Sawny drew the shoemakerS
knife back and forward with a caressing
movement, as though he loved it. or was
enamOred of the purpose for which he
was preparing it, But he said nothing.
Herbert Peyton tried again.
You needn't think" he said. that
they'll give you anything for selling me,
or for helping them to get the brat back.
| know very well that It was the old
man at Deesidc that put them mp to the
secret: but if You'll stand by me even
yet You and | will share the whole estate
Of DeeSide. What would you think Of
that-eh. Bean. man: I've Il sure hold
the way. We can DO it yet. if You have
got any of the spirit of a man in you"
Sawny Bean had never paused pulling
the knife 30 and fro over the soft leather
Of his brOgueS Sometimes he held his
hand a moment for the purpose of apply
ing a natural em0llient. He now tried
the edge upon the back of his hairy
hand, and moved down the hrlsticS with
il AZ one might dc with q keen razor
He put it also TO a piece of half-tanncd
hide which had formed the binding
thong of one of his temporary prisoners.
long defunct. The tough hide ran before
the cutting edge noiselcsSly. The eyes
Of the bound man followed it in fasei-
mated sort of way.
Have you nothing to say. Bean? You
are within reach Of fortune, and You
hesitate. You're not going 10 turn cow
ard and traitor both:"
For the first time Sawny turned his
Sullen eyes on his captive. They were
full Of q logged intention. 50 ptless and
savage that the more dangerous animal
quailed before the grim feroGty Of the
inferior savage.
Sawny began search through the
various openincs-half ventilators. half
poekets-which yawned at irregular in
tervais in his garments. and after eXtTl-
eating such commonplace a. tobacco,
wire 'crins. "A wooden otter for forbid
den fishing out of their depths. he drew
out dirty scrap Of paper. in which
there remained the Semhlance Of let
ter which had once been intended for
the pU>toffice Sawny's clumsy fingers
fumhled a while in trying tn withdraw
the contents from their cover. but. find
ing that ne could not 10 50. he took The
knife. and deity sliced of the front
Of the envelope. Having laid this down
h. unfolded The letter. held 1t upside
down. and looked Il over with a pro
foundly satisfied and knowing air.