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

job Hendricks was so much inter-
esteu 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
p trap for him? He could not remen-
per under what conditions he had seen
him last. There was something about
his features that recalled the strange
being he had caught a 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
Wen dressed person on the other side
OF the table, His thoughts ranged in
10 the past, and there the face appeared
again younger but still the same, and
ehen was lost in the haze of memory.
when you have quite done study
ing me. we can talk business" said FL
L1son. pleasantly.
Hendricks only reply was to grasp
his knotted stick a little tighter in his
hand- but it was suddenly snatched out
Oh ms grasp and at the same time he
was forced down into chair. Turn
ing his head he saw that man was
standing on each side of him. # we Was
hard to distinguish their features
smeared with lamp black. They stood
mere silently like grim specters. evil
IDENTIFY awaiting orders.
Just take away his weapons. and
then you may CO." said Ellison.
5ob struggled to his feet, and made
Violent effort to break away. but the
ooos We're against him, and he was
forced back in the seat, his pistol wa g
taken from him and huge iack,nife
Now tie him to the chair, but leave
his arms free"
Anything else?" after this was dona
asked one Of the men.
NO, that is all, for the present: but
expect the police here in a few min
utes, SO you had better, both of YOU.
make yourselves scarce"
one OF the men, the tallest. showed
MS teeth in fierce grin.
Sure you can manage him 1,o,,r
self?' he asked
why not? There is but one wav
OUT OF here, and the police will come at
my cal, and he laid a revolver on
lie taple. so vamoose, or YOU two
might be gathered into the net"
NolseIessly in their bare feet thew
slipped out Of the room.
suppose you wonder whv-T howe
arranged this pleasant little surprise
party" said Ellison. -
aeaor1cks was silent, still thinking
where he had seen this man before
out the search baf1led ehim
Eillson lit cigarette and puffed r.
with keen enjoyment
You are an escaped convict-a.
man OF note, and worthy Of O. better
tate, ne said in bantering voice
! would like to let you alone, but
you are worry to certain persons
So, for the good Of society, Won must
go back from whence you came"
Hendricks sighed as if the me1an-
choly prospect Of his future life rose
before him
Before you go, however" con-
t1nued his tormentor handling his
revolver carelessly, you must do me
a favor"
Il am not in a position to do any
one favor" replied Job, grinaly con-
sctous that there was little chance
OF freeing himself from his bonds,
as the knots must have been the
work Of sailors, they were SO cum
ningly made.
You have a pape-a certain
agreement, which should properly be
In the hands Of one James Ellison
Job iIvoluntarily made a motion
In the direction of his breast.
All, you keep it there, do YOU,
Very wise to carry it about with Won
Tor then YOU know that it is safe"
job withdrew his hands and began
TO drum on the table. He saw that
he had unconsctous!y betrayed that
ne carried the paper with him. He
mad never in his life been compelled
to guard a treasured possession. and
therefore did not know how to care
for such things
-. =, left your hands free out of po-<
ateness, 80 that. yoll might hand
mat document over, and not COM
pei me to resort to violence, which
aPhori" said Ellison