Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-07-16
CHAPTER Xxx.
JUST A HANpcLAsp

JGp 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 set
trap for him? He could not remem-
Der under what conditions he had seen
MN last. There was something about
MS features that recalled the strange
being he had caught glimpse of
through the window on the day he had
visited James Ellison. But there could
surely be no connection between that
ragged individual and the smiling and
Well dressed person on the other side
OF the table. His thoughts ranged in
to the past, and there the face appeared
again younger but still the same. and
then was lost in the haze of memory.
when you have quite done study
Ing me, we can talk business" said Ell
lison, pleasantly.
Hendricks only reply was to grasp
MS knotted stick a little tighter in his
hand, but 1t was suddenly snatched out
OF MS grasp and at the same time he
was Forced down into a chair. Turn
lng his head he saw that a 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 specters. evil
IDENTIFY awaiting orders.
JUST take away his weapons. and
then you may 60" said Ellison.
JOB struggled to his feet, and made
violent effort to break away. but the
odds We're against him, and he was
forced back in the seat, his pistol was
taken from him and huge tackkntfe.
NOW tie him to the chair but leave
his arms free"
Anything else? 2" after this was done.
asked one of the men,
NO. that is all, for the present; but
i expect the police here in few min
ules' SO you had better, both of you.
make yourselves scarce"
one Of the men, the tallest. showed
his teeth in a fierce grin.
Sure you can manage him your-
self?" he asked
why not? There is but ono way
out OF here, and the police will come AT
my call" and he laid n revolver on
me taole. So vamoose. or you two
might be gathered into the net"
Noiselessly in their bare feet thev
slipped out Of the room.
suppose you wonder why have
arranged this pleasant little s,,rnri. q
party" said Ellison. ~ '''e
Hendricks was silent, still thlnkinp
where he had seen this. man before
bul the search baffled chin.
Ellison lit cigarette and puffed II
"ttL heSA enjoyment.
You are an escaped convict-a
man of note, and worthy of bette,
fate." he said in banterlng voice
y would like to let you alone. but
you are worry to certain persons.
SO, for the good Of society, YOU m,,st
go back from whence you came
Hendricks sighed as If the mel,n-
choly prospect of his future life rose
before him.
Before you go. however," con-
. .lnuea MS tormentor handling his
a favor" '''e
Il am not in a position to do any
one favor" replied Job, grimly con-
scious that there was little chanca
OF freeing himself from his bonds
as the knots must have been the
work of sailors. they were SO cum
ningly made.
You have paper-a certain
agreement, which should properly be
IN the hands Of one James Ellison"
JOB 1nvoluntarily made motion
In the direction of his breast.
All, you keep 1t there, do YOU,
Very wise to carry 1t 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
ne had unconsciously betrayed that
ne carried the paper With him. He
had never in his life been compelled
to guard treasured possession, and
therefore did not know how to care
for such things.
II left your hands free out of DO
likeness, SO that you might hand
that document over, and not com
pei me to resort to violence, which
abhor." said Ellison.
Hendricks did not make any mo-
ton to do SO. which seemed to anger
the other. and 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 moment, and there is no
reason why this simple transaction
cannot be conducted in genteel
way"
AS he said this he held out one
hand, while with the other he trined
with the shining revolver, and there
was 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. thruts his hand in his