Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-08-01
| ChapterV


HE man cllnched Armi-
ZN tage about the body with
N& his legs while he struck a
| 61sA match on a box he pro-
W duced from his pocket.
The suddenness with
which he had been flung
into the kitchen had knocked the
breath out OF Armitage, and the huge
thighs OF his captor pinned his arms
tight. The match spurted fire. and he
looked into the face OF the servant
whom he had seen In the room above.
His round head was covered with short
wirelike hair that grew low upon his
narrow forehead. Armitage noted. too.
the mans bull-like neck. small sharp
eyes and bristling mustache. The fit
rul fash OF the match disclosed the
rough furniture Of a kitchen. The
brick flooring and his wet inverness
lay cold at Armitage's back.
The fellow growled an execration in
Servian. Then with ponderous diff
Guilty asked a question In German.
who are you and what do you want
here?"
Armitage shook his head aud replied
in English:
Il do not understand"
The man struck series OF matches
that he might scrutinize his captive's
face, then ran his hands over Armi-
tage's pockets to make sure be had 10
arms. The big fellow was clearly puz-
Zled 20 End that he bad caught a gen
ueman IN water soaked evening clothes
lurking in the area. and as the matter
was beyond his wits IL only remained
for him 70 communicate with his mas
ter
This. however. was not so readily
accomplished. He had reasons OF bis
own for not calling out. and there were
difficulties In the way OF holding the
prisoner and at the same time bring.
ing down the men who had gone TO the
most distant room In the house Cor
their own security.
Several minutes passed during which
the burly Servian struck his matches
and took account OF his prisoner, and
meanwhile Armitage lay perfectly still.
his arms fast numblng from the rough
clasp OF the stalwart servants legs
There was nothing 10 be gained by
struggle in this position, and he knew
that the Servian would not risk losing
him In the effort 10 summon the odd
pair who We're bent over their papers
az the top OF the house. The Servian
was evidently man OF action.
Get up" he commanded. stu In
rough German. and he rose in the dark
and terked Armitage after him. There
was moment OF silence in which Ar
mitage shook and stretched himself.
and then the Servian struck another
match and held Il close 10 a revolver
which he held pointed at Armitage's
head.
Il win shoot" he said again In bis
hating German
Undoubtedly you wlllr' and some
thing In the fellows manner caused
Armitage TO laugh. He had been
caught, and he did not at once see any
safe issue out OF his predicament but
his plight had its preposterOus side and
the ease with which he had been taken
at the very outset OF his quest touched
his humor. Then he sobered instantly
and concentrated his wits upon the I'm
mediate situation.
The Servian backed away. with a
match upheld In one hand and the lev
eled revolver In the other. leaving Ar
mitage in the middle OF the kitchen.
Il am going 10 light a lamp. and n
you move / VIII kill you" admonlshed
the fellow, and Armitage heard his
feet seraping over the brick floor of the
kitchen as he backed toward a table
that stood against the wall near the
outer door.
Armitage stood perfectly stin. The
neighborhood and the house itself were
quiet The two men In the third story
room were probably engrossed with the
business at which Armitage had lef,
them. and his Immediate affair was