The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-07-31
Stairs of
Sand
Copyright, 1901, by Street 4 Smith. q.
CHAPTER Xxx.
By ERNEST De LANcY PERSON.
JUST A HANDCLASP.

Job Hendricks was so much inter
ested in studying the face of the man
seated at the table that if he was at
all uneasy he did not betray it. Who
was this person who had evidently
oset trap for him? He could not
remember under what conditions he
had seen him last. There was some
thing about his features that recalled
the strange being he had caught a
glimpse of through the window on
the day he had visited James Eli
. son. But there could surely be no
connection between that ragged in
dividuals and the smiling and we'll
dressed person on the other side of
the table. His thoughts ranged in
to- the past, and there the face APP
-peared again younger but still the
same, and then was lost in the haze
of memory. 6
when you have quite. done study
Ing me, we can talk business said
4. Ellison, pleasantly.
Hendricks only reply was to grasp
his knotted stick a little tighter in
his hand, but it was suddenly
snatched out of his grasp and at the
same ctime he was forced down into
ea chair. Turning his head he saw
that man was standing on each side
of him. 1t was hard to distinguish
their features smeared with lamp
black. They stood there silently like
grim spectres, evidently awaiting or
ders.
Just take away his weapons, and
then you may CO." said Ellison.
Job struggled to his feet, and made
violent effort to break away, but
the odds were against him, and he
was forced back in the seat, his pis-
tol was taken from him and huge
jackknife.
Now tie him to the chair, but
leave his arms free"
Anything else?" after this was
done, asked one of the men.
mo, thatois all, for the present;
but I expect the police here in few
minutes, so you had better, both of
you, make yourselves scarce"
One of the men, the tallest,
showed his teeth in fierce grin.
"Sure you can manage him your
self?" she asked.
"Why not? There is but one way
out of here. and the police will come
at my call, and he laid revolver on
the table. "'So vamoose, or you two
might be gathered into the net"
Noisclessly in their bare feet they
slipped out of the room.
81 suppose you wonder why 1 have
arranged this pleasant little surprise
party" said Ellison.
Hendricks was silent, still think
ing where he had seen this man be-
fore, but the search baffied him.
Ellison lit cigarette and pulled it
with keen enjoyment.
"You are an escaped convict-a
man of note, and worthy of better
fate" he said in a bantering, voice.
'I would like to let you alone,o but
you are q worry to certain persons.
So, for the good of society, you must
go back from whence you came.'
Hendricks Sighed as if the melan-
choly prospect of his future life rose
before him.
Before you go, however," con-
tinued his tormentor, handling his
revolver carelessly, "you must do me
a favor"
ST am not in position to do any
one favor" replied Job, grimly con-
scious that there was little chance
of freeing himself from his bonds,
as the knots must have been the
work of sailors, they were so cum
ningly made.
"You have a paper-a certain
agreement, which should properly be
in the hands of one James Ellison"
Job involuntarily made a motion
in the direction of his breast.
aAh, you keep it there, do you!
Very wise to carry it about with you,
for, then you know that it is safe"
Job withdrew his hands and began
to drum on the table. He saw that
he had unconsciously betrayed that
4 he carried the paper with him. He
3 had never in his life been compelled
to guard treasured possession, and
therefore did not know how to care
for such things.
81 left your hands free out of po-
iteness. so that you might hand