Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-11-26
A I Political Vendetta
WELDON J. COBB
CHAPTER WI.

The big fellow strained and struggled
tainly. Then he bent his head mastif-
like. Believing with wrath, he sank his
teeth into one imprisoning hand. They
almost met. In frenzy at the pain, Hope
released his other hand. The fellow seized
it with both of his own holding on still
with his teeth. Hope was queerly batfied
as 10 the exercise of any free strength.
This was the opportunity of the man in
among the trees-he came flying from his
covert.
A blunt-edged piece of iron was his
weapon. He had full scope-Ilope was
not only hampered, but had not even seen
him approach.
One, two, three-the blows came In
rapid succession. The skull bones seemed
to crack. At each blow Hope staggered,
sank, his head plunging forward-then he
was on his knees, and, dragging his first
assailant along with him, he struck the
ground a huddled, senseless heap.
The big fellow tore himself loose, arose
erect, ground his teeth at the PROSTATE
Hope and kicked him with his foot.
No need of that, partner. !" glibly pro-
claimed his confrere Il guess I've done
more than bargained."
''Killed?" exclaimed the other, with a
start.
He looks it," was coolly retorted Then
the speaker stopped and examined the gap
ing wounds in the back of Hopes head.
NO. he announced hes got it good and
strong. but he's brea thing all right. Keep
watch"
He began to ransack Hopes pockets,
while the other ran his eyes constantly
up and down the lane.
Suddenly he uttered an exclamation of
decided emphasis and disappointment
MOI he said, with fierce fury, arising
to his feet.
"He hasn't got the stuff"
mo cut-in-two bank bills, as said"
by Kane"
mo names !"
"Where are they, then?"
"Maybe at his home-hey?"
That's got to be found out, you
know
1T has, surely"
You see to it,
"Yes."
"And be quick"
"As lightning"
They dragged Hope in among the trees,
half burying him in a hollow blown full
of dead leaves. The giant stood watching
him and the road, while his companion
disappeared.
He was gone full hour. The big fell
low was uneasy enough before he re-
turned.
"Wel?" he challenged, eagerly, the mo-
ment his comrade came within hailing dis
tance
mo good !" growled the other, scowIng-
ly.
you searched"
''Everywhere."
And found?'
mot a trace"
''Then the stuff's planted :"
"Of course"
''What we going to do?"
"You tell ~
The big fellow stood stupidly rubbing
his chin His associate pulled away the
leaves and examined Hope once more.
Finally he came up closer to his compan-
ion:
'See here" he said, "you listen to me :"
I'm listening
There's no use dallying over this.
Kane told us what to do"
'Yes-get those cut-in-two bills"
That's it. Now then. this man is laid
up. and maybe for SPELL"
What them
1--WE must get him to some place doubly
secure"
'What do you mean by that"
"Where we can mend him up"
"Ah ~
"And hold him till he tells where he's
planted that stuff"
"Ay!"
81 know such a place." the speaker
chuckled elishly. "You get a cab. and
drive it yourself, and hurry back here,
and we'll soon have this gentleman where
we can learn his secret at leisure"
IF he tells it?"
"He WILL" confidently proclaimed the
other HE will, or he'll never see sun
light again ~