The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-01
(copy;;sht, 1907, by Arthur w. MarchmonD

For time she was unsuccessful, but
tho instant her eyes fell on his face
she recognized him.
Overwhelmed by the discovery, she
lost tho first words which Merridew
spoke and the fellows answer. What
had been, only suspicion before was
now proved beyond question. 1t had
He had employed this wretch for the
vile purpose.
"You are lying, Perigord!" came In
Merridews voice, as hard as steel.
Your only chance is to tell the truth.
Andrews" The tone was full of au-
thority as he called on the man he
named to give particulars Of the others
cffense.
This man was one olive had never
seen before. He told his story In a
voice rich with the American twang.
He had always suspected Perigord, no
declared. and had therefore spied upon
him. He had seen him in company
with the police. had watched him close
~, and had succeeded in overwhelming
a conversation in q public house. In
which the man had betrayed them, for
he had distinctly heard him mention
the house on which the raid had been
made. He had then told his comrades,
and precautions had been taken
"He's white-livered, black-hearted,
lying snake of traitor. and"
'srhat'll do. Andrews" interrupted
Merridew. sharply. I'VE don't want
your opinion of him yet. We have to
form our own. Well, what do you
say?" he demanded of the man.
.I have done well for YOU" was
the reply. Didn't l."
"Silence! Nothing that you have
done matters now except this.
TT is all lies. say!" cried Peri
CORD. and followed with a violet asser-
ton Of his innocence, garnished with
many oaths.
The rest heard him out without In
terruption, and the dead silence, cou-
pied with the stern, set looks of his
hearers, broke his nerve down. he be-
gan to whimper and plead at first that
they should believe him and test him
further. and finally for mercy
Olive had no cause to pity the wretch
or to take his side. but his abject,
moved And at length She sat back In
her chair and put her fingers in her
cnrs to stop the sound of his voice
reaching them
.Set him back there was the next
thing she heard. in Merridew's voice.
The men holding the wretch took him
back few PAGES. and then the rest
whispered together
A few moments of this half silence,
and then scraping of feet on the
bare boards and the grating of the
chair legs as the men resumed their
positions.
@We have no doubt. Perigord. We
are all of precisely the same opinion.
You have tried to betray US: and but
for the fact that Andrews here 1sus-
pected you. you might have succeeded.
Don't whine. man. It's no sort OF
use. We can't work together SO long
as there is a thought of treachery
anywhere. We should be fools to try
1T. You know the penalty of treach-
cry. and knew 1t we'll enough before
YOU tried 1t. If we We're to let you
live you'd put us out of business.
You'll be shut up here for n couple OF
days, and If in that time you choose
to kill yourself you can. But If you
don't-well. we shall find means OF
stopping you from doing us any further
harm. Take him away"
For as long as man might count
the fingers on one hand there was a
dead silence. Then with a roar of rage
he threw himself upon those nearest
to him, dashed them away, and rushed
at Merridew, in last desperate fight
for freedom.
But 1t was in vain. The rest hurled
themselves upon him. A few tense
moments OF riot and confusion fol-
lowed: and olive held her breath and
shrank back. half fearing that she
would break into the room where she
sat. Then 1t was over.
The fellow was overborne. his cries
choked; he was pinned down. bound
and gagged; and in this helpless condl-
ton was carried out of the room.
Olive was still ,wincing and shudder-
ing under the horror of the thing wher
Karl came back to her, breathless IRON
his eXertions, excited, and full OF no,
rage against the traitor. lnvoluntarll!
she shrank from his touch
"You heard?'' he asked exulttngly
..1'he filthy liar!" lie added with fierce
oath.
tightly clenched.
II was for killing him once for all
the dog!" he continued, his face hare
set with relentless hatred and passion
II offered to do Ito shoot hlnl-nu
they would not"
what will happen to him now?"
He laughed contemptuously ant
shrugged. his shoulders. "He is too
paltry coward to do 1t himself. III
will be.found one day In the river OF
cut to pieces on a railway. What
matters? The end Of dirty STUFF like
that?"
Quito pieces on railway" Olive
shivered as she thought Of the fellows
attempt on her life in the same way
At that instant Franks put his heat
| through the big doors
| I'VE are ready now. Hartmann' III
said.
Olive rose promptly. rs that TIL
summons for ne?"
Yes" he nodded, and opened TIL
doors for her to pass.
The next moment she was In TIL
presence OF Gilbert Merrldew.
CHAPTER XVI.
A Tense Moment.
AS Olive stepped into the large
room and faced the men who wer
waiting for her, she made a strenuou
effort to shake off the effects of tn
terrible scene She had Just overheard.
But she was only partly successful
If their intention had been to breal
down her nerves. in order that the,
j. might the more thoroughly test he
sincerity, tho object had in part bee
gained. The long delay, with It's In
eviteble suspense and rnckinS anxiety
! had tried her sharply and to her dis
. ~