The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-21
CHAPTER xl.-Contlnued.
Like the Ticking OF a Clock.


The instant that Jim Breakspear had
been seized round the ankles and flung
headlong on the floor of the caravan, his
head muffled in the heavy folds of long,
thick. travelling cloak, rope was passed
deftly round his legs and knotted. He had
struck his temple in falling, not so Vio-
lently as he must without the interven-
Ing folds of cloth, but hard enough to
confues his senses for moment; and dur
ing that moment his arms were twisted
behind him, his wrists tied tightly to-
gether. All this had been done by man,
while a woman--whose hand had now
ceased to clasp Breakspear s--turned on
the light from an oldfashioned dark
lantern, the mingled oily and metallic
smell Of which was extensively percep-
tible in the caravan.
BY this time Jim was fully conscious
once more, and painfully aware that his
wound must have broken out again. He
could make no resistance when some one
unseen turned him over like log, so that
he lay on his back instead of half upon
his face, he had fallen in being thrown
down. His head was still shrouded in
the cloak, thru which, tho his eyes were
now wide OPEN he could see nothing
not even enough to be aware that the
light of a lantern had been turned on. 1t
was difficult to draw air enough to
breathe thru the thick, woolly teXtured
cloth, and his chest labored with each
respiration, which caused deep stabs of
pain In his wounded side.
Now we've got him trussed like
turkey" said voice he knew very we'll,
tho the words reached him with muffled
indistinctness thru the cloak Breakspear
did not need to hear this voice, however,
to guess who was his assailant-the
enemy who had crept upon him from
behind. He would have given anything
to know whether Maya was really in the
caravan, or If the stihed means and the
little clasping hand had been those of
some confederate Of agle-face-perhap s
the yelled lady Of Victoria Station, about
whom the wretch had afterwards lied to
round out a story of his daughter"
There came no answer to the mans
words, tho Breakspear fancied a rustling.
He resolved to feign continued uncon-
seriousness, hoping that presently his
wrappings might be removed; therefore,
he gave no signs Of life.
Help me to push him into this cor
ner" the same voice went on.
An instant later Breakspear felt him
self dragged along the floor. The process
hurt his side; nevertheless, he remained
passive.
Now that you're sure I mean to keep
my word, and won't hurt him." the man
said again, II suppose you'll be willing
to come and sit with me while I drive.
must talk to you. We've got to arrange
where We shall leave the caravan"
A whisper followed these words-a
whisper evidently in a woman's voice,
but Jim could neither hear what was
said, nor recognize the tone. He began
to believe now that he had simply walked
into trap, and that Maya had never been
in the caravan at all
.- "Nonsense!" same the answer. Hes
only shamming, or a little bit dazed, per-
haps. Look under the cloak, if you like,
and see for yourself. -
! Apparently the other free occupant of
the caravan did not care to avail herself
of this suggestion; but hand was laid
on BreaksTear's chest, and must have
felt the beating Of his heart. AS if the
owner Of the hand were satisfied, it was
soon after drawn away, and there was a
movement close to Jim's side, as the
someone passed by.
Hes all right, but he couldn't stir
to save his life, and we need have nc
fear in leaving him. the mans voice
said. Come on. We must be getting
off for fear Of accidents. and 1 don't want
to be obliged to stop again.
There was a creaking of footsteps anG
the closing of door. Then almost i'm.
rnediately Breakspear was aware that the
caravan had begun to move.
He strained his ears to ascertain if he
could whether he was now entirely alone
He could hear the rumble of wheels un
derneath him. and feel a jolting from
time to time, but so far as he could make
out, there was no other sound. For this
he was thankful--if he could be thankful