The National tribune., 1903-11-19
CHAPTER x.

Uncle Owen was a brave man, and ore
not to yield his life without struggle.
he raised his arm to seize the wrist hold
ing the knife, when there came blow
and fall behind him, and wheeling about,
he saw his would-be assassin lying sense
less at the side of the path, and over him
stood the tall form of Simon with club
IN his hand. :.
Simon gnsped Uncle Owen; "is it
you?"
"Well. I kinder reckon you hit it first
guess" returned Simon.
How did you come hereP
Didn't you set me to watch certain
critter?".
"Yes."
IF he went was to folow?"
"Yes, yes"
Well, he went and followed"
"And where is he?"
"Therer' answered Simon, pointing to
the figure lying on the grass at the side
Of the path.
Simon, you can't mean that that wo-
man is Ia Flore."
''That is Frenchy," answered Simon.
III tell you, Uncle Owen, I know this
cussed Frenchman, and he's got more lives
That q cat He's been killed 40 times.
You can't drown him, burn him, hang him
nor shoot him. Now, struck hard enough
to crush the skull of bull, but l bet he
lives
emazement. The revelation-the attempt
ed murder-had been so sudden that he
was unable to gather his scattered wits.
Simon" he gasped, ''do you suppose
she is here?'
Il don't know, Uncle Owen. but some
how l kinder doubt it"
''She told me l would find her, and
Uncle Owen pointed to the insensible hg-
ure lying on the ground.
''She is he and he is Frenchy, and you
can't believe one word Frerchy says about
it." declared Simon; then he stopped and
took from the grass at the side of the
path a long. keen-bladed knife. He held
it up in the starlight and tested the edge
and point with his thumb. 'Uncle Owen,
that is an ugiy-lcoking toothpick and
it's my opinion If / had not come up when
did, you would have. found it difficult
tew breathe about this time"
Il owe my life to you," said Uncle
Owen, feelingly.
"What are we to do with him, Simon
Do you really think he is dead?' asked
Uncle Owen.
mo; he can't be killed"
do you know where the Magistrate
livesy' asked Uncle Owen.
Eyes; Squire Hawkins lives just across
this field.''
Lets take him there and lodge COM
plant against him for an assault with iu-
tent to kill"
'That's the very thing. 1t will put him
In Jail. And the sooner we dispose Of him
the better; he's as slippery as an eel.
Now, Uncle Owen. Just lead the way.
and I'll follow with the rascal on my
shoulder"
Simon bent, over the disguised La Flofe
and tore the hat and vail away, display
ing In the starlight the sharp. pale fea-
lures, black whiskers and hair Of the
gambler.
'sHow awful white his face, how. awful
black his hair and whiskers.". :" said Simon
Z an he bent over the prOstrate form. Then
he took one hand and dropped It'll He's
cold and clammy. I've always heard that
such people were devils, and he is one.
Hes cqad as snake"
"Perhaps you struck harder than you
intended, ard killed him." said Uncle
Owen.
"No danger of that. He's not dead. 1
believe he's playing 'possum. He was al
ways cold. SO Is witch, or any one that
served Old Nick" Simon raised the insensi
and they started down the road.
"TeiI me what occurred after I left
you. Simon"
'sThere wasn't much," said Simon. trudg-
ing along before Uncle Owen with the in
sensible man on his shoulder. 81 kept an
Il that you had gone to Goodland, and he
set out on horseback. / got horse and
followed lost him little after dark.
but when / got here ! stayed by the
tavern until see you and him a comm
out Of it, and then I followed WAS
just in time tew knock him on the head
as he was about tew knife ye."
"Did you learn anything of the missing
girlT asked Uncle Owen.
'Not word Uncle Owen I'm afraid
We come on the wrong trail"
Uncle Owens sigh was the only answer.
They had been walking rather brisk1y
and were more than half way across the
2. fields when Simon felt the first signs Of
life in the apparently inanimate object he
was carrying The man gave sudden
turn and grabbed him violently by the
throat. Then quick as lightning. La Fiore
struck Simon blow on the temple that
stunned him. leaped from his shoulder and
fed into the night
Simon dashed away after the flying
man. 1t was an exciting race. Only half
dozen PAGES Law between them, but
Simon found it utterly impossible to lessen
the distance, though he ran at the top
Of his speed.
suit. He was too corpulent to partici-
pate in such a steeplechase.
Pursuer and pursued disappeared over
the hill. and a moment later Uncle Owen
saw another man coming from toward the
village. He walked rapidly and came up
% the planter.
"Mr. Redgrave. Il this your" asked q
familiar voice.
"Yes, Vernon. what are you doing on,
herer'
81 had business In the village. and hear.
ing a strange noise, and seeing two men
running. I came out to ascertain tho
cause. You can trust me. can't you, Mr.,
RedsravsY'
81 certainly can"
"Then. will you tell me who those men
were who ran across the field"
IONS was Joseph La Fiore, commonly
called Frenchy. the scoundrel who at
tempted my life. and the other was Simon
Enoddy who WAS trying to capture him. >
why did he attempt your life. Mr.
RedgraveT'
sit Is long story. Mr.. Vernon, and q
part Of II Is still a mystery; but you have
heard of the beautiful young lady whom
: I rescued from the Anthony WaynsT
"Yes"
"She has disappeared from my house
That scoundrel Frenchy has some hold or
her. and l believe he IL OBTAINING heI
against her will"
"Yes'
81 don't believe he knows where she il, ;
said Frank.
Don't know where she is? Why dom
he know where she is? Did he not ab
duct her7"
"No."
sThen. who did7 You must know, whei
you are so positive II was not he''
"I don't know" lie answered "hut