Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1903-11-13

posture, though an unpleasant sehsa-
ton like the triciling of cold water
made itself felt suddenly in the region
Of his pulse. Have the goodness to
explain yourself" he said, Us stiiuy
as he could.
Possibly you think I'm a lunatic?'
suggested the man in the corner, play
fully.
The bishop had his suspicious, but
he didn't think 1t wise TO give voice
to them. Il have formed" he replied,
in an icy tone, mo theories whatever
about you. BE good enough to tell me
if-if | can serve you, and permit me
to go back to my paper"
A l%ight--an ugly, crooked light
leaped all at once into the strangers
eyes; he stood up holding on to the
hat-rack to steady himself.
You can serve me-" he said, in a
low. vibrating voice. How clever Of
you to think of it. | want your
clothes"
Sir" gasped the amazed divine,
likewise standing up, you must be"
Mad. | knew you'd say so. You're
wrong. as it happens. However, that's
quite beside the point. All you have
to do is to undress."
DIR. BigwOrth's cheeks went first
grey and then purple. He was not
used to any tone of authority except
his own. Let this fellow be mad or
sane, he must be taught his place.
He swelled himself out to the full ex-
tent of his pompous size. Are you
aware who | am" he demanded, in a
voice that had been wont to make
Over-Oflcious curates shake in their
shoes.
IL have formed" coolly rejoined the
man with the beard, mo theories
whatever about you. Your dress will
be useful to me, and that's all | care
about" AS he spoke he felt lcisurcly
In his coat pocket, and then-as il
there was nothing outrageous in the
action-ho produced a revolver AM
held 1t up to the window, pointing ii
curacy.
The bishop a a smothcrcd cxcla
nation, and fell back Imply in hi,
cCrne of the carriage.
This will tell you that I'm in ear
nest" said the stranger. Now, wher
/, are yon going to begin?"
"B-b-begin what?'
"To undrcss."
"M-m-my dear sir" demonstrate,
his dictatOrial tone for one of extrem
} humility, "this-this must be some ri
diculous ~j-icst."
) BY way Of rcplL, the stranger gent,
moved inc weapon rounh nm rs mun
zle was on a level with the ~cpiscopa
: Lrow. "Undress!" he repeated. in cx
actly the same ono.
with a groan of impOtcnt terror In,
l bishop took off his silk-lincd overcoa'
and laid it on the seat beside him.
will that satisfy you?" he asked
n]crvously.
Satisfy me? NO" roarod his rom
panion. Il want every stitch You have
on-eyery stitch. Now, no more shilly.
shallyiur; of with those galtcrs,"
He advanced the weapon another
hairs breadth nearer and fingered tho
trigger sugGcstiycly. With n sDas
modic jerk his lordship bobbed dowr
and hastily unbuttoncd the insignia d
his office.
But you're not going to leave M
without - without c-clo,hes?" h,
moaEod. II was not yet eight O'Clock
and the morning was chilly and raw
The man with the beard did.not re
Ply in worda, but with his dis.npa%co
hand he drew towards him IA larg,
travelling bag, dcxtcrou8ly undid /
without mOyin" his weapon, an,
whiskcd ont in brisk succession a dirt,
flannel shirt, "A pair Of yillainous plai,
7 trousers, Il pca-iachct, a scarlet hand
kerchicf. and "A rak~ish-looliing billy
| cock hat.
with n meaning gesture he pointc,
; towards them.
DR.. BigwOrth paused in his diSrob
; ing to look with horror-struck eyes a
the obnoxious garments, and then en-
treatingly at his tOrmcntOr; but tn
man simply tapped his revolver impa
! tiently and Signifed that he was in
. hurry. Wihi shaking fingers tn
bishop reluctantly took off his remain
5 ing clothes. and then very gingerly h
. picked up the lOathsOme things tina
= the man had thrown down and pro
= cceded to put them on. When he wa
dressed his companion surveyed hir
= critically. Then he burst into a GhOrt
sinister laugh. Capital" he sale
Again he plunged his di%ngaged han
into the bag, and brought u thi
time a small black leather case. "You
obedience deserves some reward" h