Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-05-01

avail nothing In this instance" said
the leader pleasantly, "Your escort
has fed as though pursued by some
thing stronger than shadows; your
driver has deserted; your horses are
half dead; you are indeed, as you have
said, powerless. And you are, besides
all these, in the clutches Of a band of
merciless cutthroats."
"Oh." moaned Beverly, suddenly
leaning against the fore wheel, her
eyes almost starting from her head.
The leader laughed quietly-yes, good
naturally. ooh, you won't-you won't
kill us?" She had time to observe that
there were smiles on the faces of all
the men within the circle of light.
"Rest assured, your highness," said
the leader, leaning upon his rifle bar
rel with careless grace, 1--WE intend no
harm to you. Every man you meet in
Graustark Is not hrigand, I trust,
for your sake. We are simple hunters.
and not what we may seem. It is
fortunate that you have fallen into
honest hands. There is some one in
the coachf' he asked, quickly alert A
prolonged groan proved to Beverly that
Aunt Fanny had screwed up sufficient
courage to look out Of the window.
my old servant" she half whis-
pered. Then, as several Of the men
started toward the door, "But she is
old and wouldn't harm a fly. Please,
please don't hurt her."
Compose yourself; she is SAFE"
said the leader. BY this time it was
quite dark. At word from him two
or three men lighted lanterns. The
picture was more weird than ever in
the ftful glow. MAY I ask, your high
ness, how do you intend to reach Edel-
weiss in your present condition? You
cannot manage those horses and, be-
sides, you do not know the way"
aren't you going to rob us?" de-
manded Beverly, hope springing to the
surface with joyful bound The
stranger laughed heartily and shook
his head.
DO we not look like honest men ~
he cried, with wave of his hand to-
ward his companions. Beverly looked
dubious. eve live the good, clean life
of the wilderness. Outdoor life is nee.
essary for our health. We could not
live in the city," he went on, with grim
humor. For the first time Beverly no.
ticed that he wore huge black patch
over his left eye, held in place by a
cord. He appeared more formidable
than ever under the light Of critical in.
spection.
II am very much relieved" said Bev.
erly, who was not at all relieved. "But
why have you stopped us in this man.
ner7"
stopped your cried the man with
the patch. II implore you to unsay
that, your highness. Your coach was
quite at standstill before we knew OF
its presence. You do us a grave in.
justice"
tits very strange" muttered Bever
ly, somewhat taken aback.
"Haye you observed that it is quite
darkY' asked the leader, putting away
his brief show Of indignation.
'tDear me; so 1t tsp cried she, now
able to think more clearly.
"And you are miles from an inn or
house Of any kind" he went on "Do
you expect to stay here all night7"
"I'm-1'm not afraid" bravely shiv.
cred Beverly.
ut is most dangerous"
IT have revolver" the weak little
voice went on.
"Oho! What Is 1t for?"
ITO use in case of emergency"
"Such as repelling brigands who sud.
denly appear upon the sceneY
Eyes,"
May I ask why you did not use II
this tTening?"
Because 1t is locked up in one of my
bags-I don't know just which one
and Aunt Fanny has the key" confess
ed Beverly.
The chief of the honest men" laugh
ed again, clear, ringing laugh that be
spoke supreme confidence in his right
to enjoy himself.
"And who is Aunt Fanny?n he asked
covering his patch carefully with his
Ga11shiug hat,