Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-02-21
CHAPTER XIII. Confined,

father, II brought two with me, and
stand behind the tree. He's almost
sure to have a weapon, and he might
be too quick for me. Don't fire until
Manuers out of the way
My firing would probably have been
none of the best in my coolest moments,
but now my nerves were at such ten
sion that, for safety's sake, took my
finger from the trigger. They came on
very slowly, pausing every now and
then, until at last they stood on the
same level as we.
My father had placed himself so that
his back was towards them, but when
they were within a few PAGES of him he
turned and greeted them.
"Good-mornlng, gent1emen!" said he.
''Have you come to look at the glorious
view? I beg your pardon, Mr.. Dixon,
but forgot that you were blind. Allow
me, however, to restore your sight,"
and before the other could do as much
as lift finger, the blue glasses were
plucked from his eyes. and a revolver
was within an inch of his face. "Mau
rice Lennon, you are in my power at
last. Don't move! Don't let go Manu-
els arm! Listen to me. could shoot
you as you stand, but you shall have
one chance. Hold up your hands!"
must give the demon his due. He
held up his hands as steadily as though
he were lifting. them to bless us.
answer me now,' said my father,
''as one should answer who may speed
fly come before his Maker. Did you, or
did you not, attempt to murder my
friend, who assumed the name of Trav-
ers?"
CAS- God is my judge, I never did,"
and the answer came so steadily and
calmly that, in spite of the hatred had
for him, in spite Of the evidence against
him that had considered conclusive, I
believed him.
will you tell me who did?"
I saw the appraised hands culver and
a spasm crossed his face.
mo. will not" he said, in the same
even tones. "Shoot me if you like, but
we Lemons never go back on our
friends
I declare the mans bearing so worked
upon me that forgot I possessed a
weapon, and the effect of it upon my
father was instantaneous.
Put your hands down, SIR" he said.
assure me upon your honor as Len
non that you had no part in the assas-
sinations that have done in the name
of what is called the Ragged Thir-
teen," and I will fight you here and
now, man to man.
BY this time had left the cover of
the tree trunk. Even at that supreme
moment of his life the mans blood and
breeding asserted themselves. He lifted
his cap as he bowed to me, and it was
proof of his splendid self-control that
he saluted me as though we had part
ed but yesterday.
''You have outwitted me, SIR" said
he, as quietly as though I had bested
him at chess, and the smile occurs to
me because of his next words, land
this is indeed checkmate. No. SIR" he
went on, turning again to my father;
''no, sir I never had any hand in the
assassinations., took the blame for
them, and went so far as to listen
without protest when they were pro-
posed. but I never for a moment
thought-But, pardon me, I can scarce
iy utter the explanations here that it
would take hours to make. Believe
me, or believe me not, I was acting a
part as far as politics went, and my
sole object was to get at you.
w uCll yOu were 1Oulu l. lCllu lily
plans so that your son, accompanied by
certain persons from whom I thought
escape impossible. would have arrived
in time to meet you on this island, and
then I should have fought you, and,
had been fortunate I should have Of
fered him the chance of avenging you
You were, to great extent, responsible
for my brothers death, and if you give
clio {..x
my best to kill you.''
"You have a weapon?" asked my
father.
eyes, here!'' and without let or hind
rance on any of our parts, he drew il
from his pocket.
''Will you take Mr.. Manuel for youl
second. and allow my son to act as
nline?'
II shall be very grateful if this gen
tleman will be SO kind" said he. "Shal
we leave them to arrange matters? q
and when my father had bowed his as
sent, Lennon turned away and walked
to the edge of the plateau, stood will
his back to us, gazing seward.
''What are we to do, Mr.. Tremayne?'
said Mr.. Manuel when we found our
selves alone Oh the sward. Can we d.
nothing to prevent this bloodshed?"
eff we left them,' I said, the.
would fight without us. God help me
but never thought to be in such
sorry plight as this. We must see i
out to the bitter end for one of them
God grant it may not be my father!"
"Amen to that!'' said he, though
am the other mans second. If W.
must go on with it, how far apart shall
we place them?"
''Let us say twelve paces,' said I. ant
+ marveIled at my own GOODNESS, though
no doubt it was but the outcome of tn
conduct of the principals; "and sup
pose we toss for first shot? Ask you
man if he agrees to that"
Manuel turned towards Lennon ant
spoke to him, and so peaceful and still
was everything that I heard the answe
plainly: Anything you like, SIR" ant
when Manuel came back and spun vi
q coin, his principal never turned as
cried "Heads!"
Head it is said Manuel. stoopinE