Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1902-10-16
CHAPTER XVI.-(COntinued.)

Sffall Elk
She reached the closet in time TO enter
and close the door, though, III her haste
she made no attempt to fasten 1t, nor dc
sle observe that a Persian scarf thrown
carricSSly over her shoulders had fallen
10 the floor at the moment Of her en-
trance 1t was of a light though rich
fabric. with II deep embroidery of gold
the sight Of which was SO tempting III the
eyes of her pursuer, that he stopped and
picked il up. This delay, tritiing as II
mas. saved her.
Hold, on your peril" exclaimed Har-
leigh. %Springing forward as the man was
III the act Of opening the door.
The Inferior of the closet, however, pre-
scented precisely the same appearance as
81 had the preceding evening. The look
OF blank establishment depicted on the
cOuntenance of Zach of the ~ruffianS might
on n different occasion excite mirth: now,
the pT~edOminating emotion in the mind OF
lHarlcigh. as well as of the Jew, who
had described to him the retreat Of Abb.
now shared by Alice. though he had not
mentioned the name of the latter, was one
of deyOut thankfulness.
Il should almost believe that my eyes
had played me false, if it weren't for
This" said Mat, holding up the scarf.
Meanwhile Skellum was eagerly exam
lining the closet, to ascertain by what
means she had made her escape.
LET him satisfy himself" said the
Jew, seeing that Harloigh and the stran-
ger regarded him with looks Of impa-
1ience. There is no danger OF his dis
covering the maaner Of her egress."
IF [ hadn't tried the thickness of these
walls last night" said Skellum, who soon
gave up his search as hopeless, Il would
Try what a few well-aimed blows would
do"
AS the trial seems to have been sat
isfactory," said Harleigh, you may as
well go now"
And leave that scarf behind you" said
the stranger, addressing Mat, who was
about to tie it round his waist.
I'VE shall do neither the one nor the
other, unless we please" said Skellum,
answering both for himself and comrade.
That's what we won't" said Mat.
The strangers only answer to this was
taking possession Of the scarf, which he
did with perfect ease, a feat that evident
ny raised him in the estimation of all
three Of the wretches, who had been in
clined to believe that the conciliatory
manner he had previously adopted to-
ward them was the result of timidity.
You prefer to remain here a while
longer?' said Harieigh, again addressing
Skellum.
Yes" he replied, s~ullenly, and you
needn't trouble yourself about it if we
do"
Very WELL" said Harleigh. eve will,
in the meantime, see what can be done to
procure an escort for you"
HE means the police" whispered Nat.
; Corkle then turned to Harleigh and the
stranger and said:
There's no use in trying to brighten
us-that is no easy matter; but if the
gentleman will be so obliging as to let us
try how we shall feel with a few Of those
gold pieces he showed Is in our pockets.
I will go away quietly myself, and use
my influence to persuade the others to
follow my example,
1T is too late now," said the stranger;
I'm no longer in the vein. When l Of
,fezed you gold, L didn't take you for the
you have proved yourselves to
be. You have already annoyed these in
offensive people with your presence. much
too long-longer than this gentleman and
myself would have permitted, had it not !
been that we felt indisposed to engage /,
in a brawl with such fellows as you, eS-
pecially beneath Il peaceable and respec-
roof"
After having waited a minute or two,
that they seemed disposed to
maintain their ground. he made Il sign
TO Mizar. The boy understood it, and
at once prepared to obey. The rutiians.
however, appeared to think il best to
good their retreat, which they did,
muttered threats. among which the
1--WE shall yet have our revenge;
the old Jew doesn't know what there is
in store for him. could he distinguished.
After leaving the ship, as they passed
a little dark court, Of which the house
and an outbuilding belonging to the Jew
formed two Of the sides, Corkle said in a
whisper. 1.-The dumb witness that lies
there will make it go hard with the old
Jew"