The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-07-17

lion 10 40 so, Which seemed to anger
the other, n the smile disappeared
at once from his face, to give place
to q forbidding frown.
You had better" he said. and his
white teeth shone in The light Of the
lamp. My friends of the police will
be here in a moment, and there Is no
reason why this simple transaction
cannot be conducted in a genteel
way
AS he said this he held out n
hand. while with the other he trified
was a look in his eye that showed
him not unaccustomed to the use Of
weapons When it became necessary.
JOB sighed, n then, with an air
OF resignation. thrust his hand in his
bosom, drew out the document and
then tossed 1t s%ullenly on the table.
"Ih1s is the real thing, I hope"
said ellison, and then as he opened
the paper and glanced over it, his
signatures only too we'll"
de lac taken the precaution to
place his pistol out Of reach while
ne was running his eyes over the
document. So interested was he in
Its perusal that for a second his eyes
We're off the mar bound in the chair.
Suddenly he felt a hand pressed
06oi1ioA AAtos ~ 4ISlesrWdS 1lOLllIlR aE-
gressive about the movement, and he
looked at his companion in amaze
ment.
Would you like to have this ring?'
asked Job, with a. smile on his face.
and Ellison, looking down. saw on
the red and knotted finger extended
a curious ring set with dull blue
stones.
How do you men-do I want it?.
he asked
Buy it. I mean-you will find 1t a
wonderful piece of jewelry? Then
you owe me something. for you must
be well paid for what you are do
ing?"
II see nothing wonderful about
your precious ring. The poorest bit
of prize package jewelry-' but he
suddenly stopped short. for Job had
seized his wrist with q dexterous
twist SO that he could not move, to
get possession OF his pistol. At the
same time he felt a sharp. prickly
sensation. Job had pressed the ring
against his hand and the sharp edges
OF the stones cut the skin. WHAT
did 1t. all mean? He struggled to
free himself, but held in that firm
grip, forced against the edge of the
a strange sensation suddenly seemed
to dart through his hands from the
point where that cursed ring had
abraded the skin; it ran through his
veins like fire! And still he strug-
gled to get to his feet, feeling the
weakness slowly creeping over him
and something like a strange fluid
coursing through his blood. At last,
with a cry, he fell forward, face
down, on the table.
Job, with q smile, removed his
hand and wiped the ring with his coat.
H will learn not to despise such
a humble bit Of jewelry as this
again." he said to himself. Nov. If
l were only supplied with a knife I
might get rid of these ropes that
are cutting me to pieces"
Then, reaching out his powerful
arms, he seized hold Of Ellison and
lifted him by sheer strength up on
the table.
That was a valuable present. that
ring" he muttered. ''Its virtues
We're not overrated by the man who
gave 1t to mel only hope he will
recover" and then, hearing the loud
finding a knife in n Of Ellison's
pockets, proceeded to cut his bonds.
All! this is something like!" as
he rose and stretched himself, and
then, seeing the paper on the table
that had caused so much trouble, he
thrust 1t back in his pocket with a
sigh Of relief. II may need you yet.
They shall never find it again on me.
living or dead"
He looked at the insensible figure
for Q moment in silence, still ram
sacktng his memory for the identifca-
ton of his face.
Bah! Why should I worry myself
about him at a time like this. I
must try and find my way OUT
He stole softly over to the door
in the partition that divided the room
having unlocked it: peered out. Then
he shook his head and returned to
the room, again locking the door be-
hind him.
mo use of my trying to ind my
way out in that direction. for. as I
heard them say, the police are guard
ing the street"
He was surprised to find Ellison
half sitting in q chair before the
table. Was he recovering from his
Inconsistencies? But, after an ex-
animation. Job believed that he had
slipped back through some muscular
contraction. He was like one in a
sound, deep n heavy sleep. Taking
up the lamp from the table, Job
made a circuit Of h room in search
Of the revolver. which he felt he
Ile6Ocu al SdSS VI kAOuOACt OuJ IV ulO
not find 1t, and, as time was precious,
he had to give it up. Round and
round the room he wont, seeking
for an outlet and finding none. know
Ing thai at any moment the police
might arrive. for their patience must
in time be exhausted.
The place was well chosen, for
there amt q hole for a mouse to es-
cape" he muttered, bitterly; not a
door or a cupboard or 81 window, and
beyond, in the street, the police watt
ing.
He sat down for a moment by the
table out Of sheer WEAKNESS, to pom.
der on the situation. What was to
be done? Should he attempt to force
his way out through the bluecoats in
waiting? No, there was little chance
of escaping in that way. While he
sat there, he suddenly felt a drop OF
moisture on his forehead, then an
other. Instinctively he looked up.
and saw shat 1t proceeded from a
crack in the ceiling. This crack was
square, and suggested a trapdoor,
though painted over like the rest Of
the ceiling
Ready to seize at anything, III lift
ed up one of the chairs to the top
of the table, and hen mounting on
it, lamp in hand. proceeded to Ak
= 1890 As 4 -