Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-08

self back and gave vent to hearty.
prolonged laugh that went ringing aud
echoing about among the cliffs and
chasms.
81 lowed this nd make yore flesh
crawl" he said. Looks like the open.
IN to the bad place, don't tt"
at certainly does" said Craig, some.
what rcassured by Poles levlty.
"Why, it amt more'n forty feet
square," said Pole. wait till 7 RIM
down an make light. I've got some
fat pine torches down at the foot O.
the ladder"
well, I believe I will let you 70
first" said Craig, with an uneasy little
laugh.
Pole went down the ladder. reckless.
| ly humping his heels on the rungs.
He was lost to sight from above, but
in a moment Craig heard him strike a
match and sa W the red, growing Game
of a sputtering torch from which
twisted a rope Of smoke. When It was
we'll ablaze, Pole called up the ladder:
"Come on now, an watch whar you
put yore feet. This end O the ladder Is
solid as the rock O. Gibralty"
The square Of daylight above was
cut off, and in moment the ex-banker
stood beside his guide.
Now come down this way" said
Pole, and with the torch held high he
led the way into part of the chamber
where the rock overhead sloped down
| lower Here lay some old whisky bar.
rels, two or three lager beer kegs and
the iron hoops OF several barrels that
had been burned There were several
one gallon jugs with corncob shoppers.
Pole swept his hand over them with a
laugh. IF you was a drinkin' man,
could treat you to a thimble or two
left In them jugs" he said almost apol.
ogetically.
But I don't drink, Baker" Craig
said. His premouitlon Of danger seemed
to have returned to him and to be driv-
en- in by the dank GOODNESS Of the cav.
ern, the evidence of past outlswry
around him.
Pole heaped his pieces Of pine against
a rock and added to them the chunks
of some barrel slaves, which set up q
lively popping sound like a tiny fusil-
lade of artillery.
You see that rock behind you, Mr..
Craig" asked Pole. We'll, set down
on 1t. Before we go any furder me a
you've got to have a understanding"
The old man stared heeitatingly for
an instant, and then, after carefully
feeling of the stone he complied.
II thought we already-but, of course"
he said haltingly 81 m ready to agree
to anything that II make you feel safe"
Il kinder lowed you would" And.
to Craig's overwhelming astonis ment,
Pole drew a revolver from his hip pock-
ct and looked at it, turning the cylin-
der with a deft thumb.
You mean, Baker But Crnig's
words remained unborn in his Devil
dered brain. The rigor of death itself
seemed to have be~et his tongue. A
cold sweat broke out on him.
II mean that LIE tuck the trouble
to fetch you heer fer a purpose, Mr..
Craig, an thar amt any use in beatin'
about the bush to git at it."
Craig made another effort at utter
ance, but failed. Pole could hear his
rapid breathing and see the terrified
glea ming of his wide open eyes.
You've had a lots o. dealin's, Mr..
Craig" said Pole. You've made yore
mistakes an had yore good luck, but
you never did a bigger fool thing an
you did when you listened to my tale
about that lump o gold"
you've trapped me" burst from
Craig's quivering lips.
That's about the size of it,"
PUT Why" The words formed the
beginning and the end OF a gasp.
Pole lowered over him, the revolver
In his tense hand.
Mr.. Crnig, thar is one man In this
world that I'd die fer twenty times
over. l love i'm more than a brother.
That man you've robbed OF every dol
lar an hope on earth. I've fetched yon
heer to die lngerin' death, EFT, l
say ef-you don't refund his money.
That man is Alan Bishop an tho
amount is S25 900 10 cent"
But haven't any money" noaned
the crouching figure; mot dollar that
| kin lay my hands Oh"
Then you are IN a purity bad fix"
said Pole. UNLESS l git that amount
O. money frtsx you you II never smell
a breath o. r7Vsh air or see natura
daylight"
you mean to kill helpless man?
The words were like q prayer.
I'D bottle you up heer to die" salt
Pole Baker firmly. You've met m
in this lonely spot. an no man coul,
lay yore end to me. In fact, all tina
know you would swear you'd run OF
from the folks you've defrauded. 70,
see, nothin' but that money O. Alsl
Bishops kin possibly save you. 70,
know that well enough. an thar ain
bit o use palavern' about it. "
fetched a pen an ink an paper al
you've got to write me an order fe
the money. If l have TO go as fur OF
as Atlanta. I'll take the fust train an
60 after it. If | git the money. yo'
git out; ef I don't, you won't see IN
ag'in nur nobody else till you face yor
Maker
Craig bent over his knees ant
groaned.
You think have money he said
strengthening up "Oh, my God"
Il know it," said Pole. Il don
think anything about 1T know It,"
He took ont the pen and ink from hi