Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1908-12-04

The strangers horse was quiet fOi
an instant. and the rider had forced
him so near that the beasts upreined
head and the erect shoulders OF the
hOrseman We're quite clearly defined
who goes there?" shouted the rider
while Chauvenet and Durand bent
their eyes toward him. their hands
tight on their brides, aud listened
waiting for Zmai They heard sud
den rush OF steps, the Impact Of his
giant body as he flung himself upon
the shrinking horse, and then a cry OF
alarm and rage, Chauyenet slipped
down and ran forward with the quick
soft glide Of a cat and caught th,.
bride Of the strangers horse. Thc
hOrseman struggled in Zmars great
arms, and his beast plunged wildly
No words passed. The rider had kick
ed his feet out Of the stirrups an
gripped the horse hard with his legs
His arms were flung up to protect hi.
head, over which Zmai tried to force
the sack
"The knife" bawled the Servian
"NOr' answered Chauyenet
''The devil" yelled the rider. am
dug his spurs into the rearing beasts
TANKS.
Chauvenet held on valiantly with
both hands to the horses head. Once
the frightened beast swung him clear
Of the ground. A few yards distant
Durand sat on his own horse and held
the brides of the others. He soOthed
the restless animals in low tones. the
light OF his cigarette shaking oddly in
the dark with the movement of his
lips.
The horse ceased to plunge. Zma
held its rider erect with his left arm
while the right drew the sack down
over the head and shoulders of the
prisoner.
''Tie him." said Chauvenet. and Zma
buckled a strap about the mans arms
and bound them tight
The dust in the bag caused the man
inside to cough, but save for the one
exclamation he had not spoken
Chauvenet and Durand conferred In
low tones while zmal drew out
tether strap and snapped 1t to the curb
bit Of the captive's horse.
'The fellow takes 1t pretty coolly."
Durand. lighting a fresh Gig
arctic. "What are you going to do
with him?"
I'VE will take him to his own place
It is near-and coax the papers out of
him. Then Wen find a precipice and
toss him over. 1t is a simple matter"
Zmai handed Chauvenet the revolver
he had taken from the silent man on |
the horse.
81 am ready" he reported.
AGO ahead; we follow" And they |
started toward the bungalow, Zmai |
riding beside the captive and holding |
fast to the led horse. Where the road
was smooth they sent the horses for
ward at a smart trot. But the cap
i've accepted the gait He found the
;tirrups again and sat his saddle
straight He coughed now and then,
out the hemp sack was sufficiently
porous to give him a little air AS
hey rode off his silent submission
.aused Durand to ask:
"Are you sure of the man. my dear
Iules?"
Undoubtedly. l didn't get square
ook at him, but he's a gentleman by
he quality of his clothes. He is the
anne build. 1t is not a pillow horse.
,ut a thoroughbred he's riding. The
gentlemen Of the valley are in their
)eds long ago"
would that we we're in ours! The
pring nights are cold in these hills!' !
THE work is nearly done. The little
older is yet to reckon with. But we
ire three. and Zmai did quite we'll
With the potato sack"
Chauvenet rode ahead and addressed
few words to Zmal.
"The little man must be found be-
ore we finish. There must be no mis-
axe about it,"
They exercised greater caution as
hey drew nearer the wood that con-
called the bungalow, and Chauvenet
opened the gate and set a
tone against it to insure a ready
BIeSS. i utu lucy WdAhEu AhCAA AStSCS
p the driveway.
AdmOnished by Chauvenet. Durand
brew away his cigarette with sigh.
you are convinced this is the wise
curse, dearest Jules?"
BE quiet and keep your eyes open.
here's the house."
He halted the party, dismOunted and
rept forward to the bungalow. He
Ircled the veranda, found the blinds
pen and peered into the long lOunging
pom, where a few embers smoldered
/ the broad fireplace and an oil lamp
he'd faint light. One man they held
iptive; the other was not in sight.
hauvenet's courage rose at the pros
ect Of easy victory. he tried the door,
,und it unfastened and, with his re- {
oliver ready in his hand, threw it open. q.
hen he walked slowly toward the ia
lie, turned the wick Of the lamp high
nd surveyed the room carefully. The
Oors Of the rooms that opened from
lie apartment stood ajsr. He followed
lie wall cautiously, kicked them open.
aarad info the room whpra Armitagn'S