The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-07-17

iltllQIlChS UlU MOI make any ilO-
ton to do SO, which seemed to anger
the other and the smile disappeared
at once from his face, to give place
to 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 one
hand, While with the other he tri1ied
with the shining revolver, and there
was a look in his eye that showed
him not unaccustomed to the use of
weapons when it became necessary.
Job sighed, and then, with an air
of resignation, thrust his hand in his
bosom, drew out the document and
then tossed it sullenly on the table.
This is the real thing, I hope"
said Ellison, and then as he opened
the paper and glanced over it, his
face lighted up. Yes, I know those
signatures only too we'll"
He had taken the precaution to
place his pistol out of reach while
he was running his eyes over the
document. So interested was he in
its perusal that for a second his eyes
were off the man bound in the chair.
Suddenly he felt a hand pressed
against his. There was nothing ag-
gressive about the movement, and he
looked at mis- companion in amaze
ment.
Would you like to have this ring?'
asked Job, with smile on his face,
| and Ellison, looking down. saw on
the red and knotted finger extended
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
wonderful piece of jewelry? Then
you owe me something, for you must
be well paid for what you are do
ing?"
Il see nothing wonderful about
your precious ring. The poorest bit
Of prize package jewelry-" but he
seized his wrist with a 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 it all mean? He struggled to
free himself but held in that firm
grip, forced against the edge Of the
table. he could do nothing. And what
| 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 strange fluid
coursing through his blood. At last,
with a cry, he fell forward, face
| down, on the table.
Job, with a smile, removed his
hand and wiped the ring with his coat.
He will learn not to despise such
a humble bit of jewelry as this
again." he said to himself 'Now, if
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 valuable present, that
ring he muttered. Its virtues
We're not overrated by the man who
gave it to mel only hope he will
recover" and then, hearing the loud
breathing of the other, he smiled and
finding a knife in one Of Ellison 9
pockets, proceeded to cut his bonds.
"Ah! this is something lilke' as
he rose and stretched himself, and
then, seeing the paper on the table
| that had caused SO much trouble, he
| thrust it back in his pocket with
sigh of relief. Il may need you yet.
They shall never find it again on me,
living or dead"
He looked at the insensible figure
| for a moment in silence, still ran
sacking his memory for the identifica-
ton of his face.
Bah! Why should I worry myself
about him at 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
from the rest of the basement, and,
he shook his head and returned to
the room, again locking the door be-
| hind him.
mo use of my trying to find 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 a 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 and heavy sleep. Taking
up the lamp from the table, Job
made a circuit Of the room in search
Of the revolver which he felt he
needed in case of trouble but he did
not find it, and, as time was precious
he had to give it up. Round and
round the room he went, seeking
for an outlet and finding none, know
ing that at any moment the police
might arrive, for their patience must
in time be exhausted.
| THE place was we'll chosen for
there amt hole for a mouse to es-
CAPE he muttered, bitterly; not a
door or cupboard or a window, and
beyond, in the street, the police wait