Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-11-12

quite beside the point All you have
TO 10 is 70 Undress.
Dr. ~*igwor,n's cheaiis went frst
grey aad then purple. He was not
used t. any lone OF authority except
his CT. Let this fellow be mad OF
sane, h. must be taught his place.
He swe,sel himself out to the full ex-
tent Of Aia pomp0us size. Are you
aware who am?" he demanded, in
voice that had been wont to make
o~yer-ofb;ious curates shake in theil
shoes.
4 haze formed" coolly rejoined the
man with the beard, mo theories
whatever about you. Your dress vii.
be useftI to me, and that's all 1 care
about" AS he spoke he felt leisurely
in his coat pocket, and then-as il
there YES nothing outrageous in the
action--he produced Z revolver anG
held it up to the window, pointing il
and closing one eye as if to try it's ac-
curacy.
The bishop gave a smothered excla,
nation, and fell back Imply in his
corner of the carriage.
"This will tell you that I'm in ear
nest" said the stranger. Nov, wher
are you going to begin?"
"B-b-begin what?"
ITO undress."
"M-m-my dear sir" demonstrated
the unhappy prelate, abruptly dropping
his dictatorial tone for one of extreme
humility, "this-this must be some ri
diculous j-jest."
By way of reply the stranger gently
moved the weapon round till it's muz
Zle was on a level with the episcopal
brow. "Undress!" he repeated, in ex-
actly the same tone.
With a groan of impotent terror the
bishop took off his silk-lined overcoaj
and laid it on the seat beside him.
".Will that satisfy you?" he asked
nervously.
Satisfy me? MOI" roared his com
panion. II want every stitch you have
on-every stitch. Now, no more shilly-
shallying; off with those ga~iters!"
He advanced the weapon another
hairs breadth nearer and fingered the
trigger suggestively. With a spas
modic jerk his lordship bobbed down
and hastily unbuttoned the insignia Of
his office.
But you're not going to leave me
without - without c-clothes?" he
moaned. 1t was not yet eight O'Clock
and the morning was chilly and raw
The man with the beard did not re-
ply in words, but with his disengaged
hand he drew towards him a large
travelling bag, dexterously undid il
without moving his weapon, and
whisked out in brisk succession a dirty
flannel shirt, a pair of villainous plaid
trousers, a pea-jacket, a scarlet hand.
kerchief, and a rakish-looking billy.
cock hat.
With a meaning gesture he pointed
towards them.
DR.. Bigworth paused in his disrob-
ing to look with horror-struck eyes at
the obnoxious garments, and then en-
t~reatingly at his tormentor; but the
man simply tapped his revolver impa-
tientiy and signified that he was in a
hurry. With shaking fingers the
bishop reluctantly took off his remain
ing clothes, and then very gingerly he
rioknd nm tba Ioo+bcop,a +hipre +bot
the mar had thrown down and pro-
ceeded to put them on. When he was
dressed his companion surveyed him
critically. Then he burst into a short
sinister laugh. Capital" he said
Again he plunged his disengaged hand
into the bag, and brought out this
time a small black leather case. "Youl
obedience deserves some reward" he
observed, end opening the case he dis
played to the blinking gaze of the
half-stupefied bishop a pile. Of costly
Gems-mostly diamonds-that lay glis-
tening inside.
Now he remarked, calmly, you'll
perceive why | am not anxious to be
myself. Ten minutes more and I've
done with you" He shut the case
with a snap and pushed it down TO the
bottom of the bag.
For Heavens sake, what neXt?" de-
manded DR.. Bigworth, in a terror
stricken tone.
I'm going to shave you"
For a few moments there was a
quiverin@ silence, then the bishop gave
q cry OF absolute agony. He fell down
on his knees and squirmed at the mans
feet. Not my beard" he begged;
'tfor PHYS sake, not my beard!"
Nonsense snapped the stranger,
as with q quick movement he restored
the revolver to his pocket and brought
out q razor. you've got your lucky
stars to thank that I hold strangely
superstitious views about murder or !
shouldn't have taken all this trouble.
but ii you don't sit still He made
an expressive gesture, first drawing the
razor across his throat and then
throwing out his arms as if casting a
heavy body out of the carriage door.
But my beard" cried the wretched
bishop. Think, il you shave me,
+" and then his voice failed; the
crooked light in the mans eyes looked
so ominous and the razor cleaned so
sharply bright in the sunlight that for