The Washington herald., 1909-10-23

Z
prison door and glared out upon his TALLER
with a new fierce interest.
Il tell you I've nothing to do with the
! Appleweights. / don't want to reveal my
identity 10 you, you young beggar; but
I demand my legal rights"
MY 6eear SIR ret0rted Ardmore. you
have no legal rights. for the writ of
habeas corpus doesn't so here. You seem
! rather intelligent for a barn burner and
timber thief. Come now, what is your
manner"
The prisoner gazed down upon the
/ mperturbable figure OF his captor
through rhe Stats Of the corn-crib. Ard
more returned his gaze with his most
bland and child-like air. Many people
had been driven 70 the point Of madness
by Ardmore's apparent dullness. The
prisoner realized that he must launch a
thundorbolt If he would disturb a self
possession so complete tranquility as
sweet as the fading afternoon.
Mr.. Ardmore. / dislike 10 do IT, but
your amazing conduct makes IL necessary
for me TO disclose my Identity" and the
mans manner showed real embarrass-
ment
Il knew 81 / knew IT," nodded Ard
more. folding his arms across his chest.
You're either tle King OF Siam or the
Prince Of Petosky. As either, l salute
you,'
NO" reared the captive, beating i'm
potently against the door of the cage
with his hands. No, I'm the governor
Of South Carolina"
This statement failed, however. TO pro-
duce the slightest effect on Mr.. Ardmore.
who only smiled slightly, a smile less
incredulous than disdainful
oh, pshawi that's nothing" he replied.
I'm the governor OF North Carolinar'
and mounting his horse he gravely lifted
his hat TO the prisoner and gaUoped
away
While Mr.. Ardmore was securing his
prisoner in the corn-crib II may be inter-
esting TO return for a moment 10 the
haunted log cabin on Raccoon Creek
the interior Of which was roughly but
comfortably furnished Above were two
small sleeping-rooms, and beside the bed
In each stood a suitcase and a hand
satchel In each room hung. on con-
venient hooks, q long. black frock-coat
a pair OF trousers Of light cloth. and a
broad-brim black felt hat. Coat, trousers
aud hat were exactly alike
In the room below sat a man in his
shiTt-sleeves, his feet on a cheap deal
table, blowing rings from a cigar He
presented picture of the greatest ease
and contenment. as he occasionally
Stroked his short brown beard. or threw
up his arms and clasped his hands about
his head or caught lazily at the smoke
rings. On the table lay an array OF
PLAYING cards and poker chips.
IT'S too good 10 last forever" the
lone occupant reflected aloud. sitting
yawn. and he reached out with careless
Indifference, toward a bundle Of news
~ 80
Irvine and drew one out and spread IL
across his knees. He yawned again as
though the thought OF a world whose
affairs were stamped in printers Ink
bored him immensely; and then the bold
headlines that shouted at him across
half quarter Of the sheet caused him
10 gasp, and his feet struck the bare
floor of the cabin resouudingly. He ;row
bent over the paper with the grea test
eagerness muttering as he read. and
some OF mis- mutterngs were. II must be
confessed, not without profane embeuish-
ment.
TWO CowARDLY GOVERNORS MISSING.
Is he ArrleNeight Case Responsible:
Rumors Of Fatal Duel on State Line.
He read breathlessly the startling story
that followed the headlines. then rose
and ganced anXiOusly al his watch.
Am 1 drunk or mad? I must find
Osborne and get out Of this"
lie leaped 20 the open door. and Eazed
into the forest from a little platform
that commanded all sides Of the cabin.
And there, 10 his utter amazemeni. he
saw men in khaki emerging cautious
ly from the woods. They were unmis-
iaka6iy soldiers Of some sort, for an
officer was giving sharp commands. and
the line opened out Ike a fan along the
creek. The observer Of this maneuver
mopped his head with his handkerchief
as he watched the alert movements of !
the figures In khaki
He was 80 absorbed that he failed To
hear stealthy steps at the rear OF the
platform, but no was now rudelv
aroused by two uniformed youngsters
with s. c. n. G. on their caps. who
sprang upon him and bore him with a
crash 20 the puncheon floor.
You're our prisoner shouted one OF
them, rising when he found that the
prisoner yielded without resistance.
What for?'' blurted the captive. sit |
ting up and rubbing his elbow.
For being BIZ APpleweight. alias Po- |
teet Get up, now. and come with US 10 4
headquarters, or my instructions are to /
break your head"
Who in the devil are your" panted
the prisoner.
We'll, II it's anything TO you. were /
the South Carolina militia, so you'd bet /
ter get up and climb"
ITO BE CONTINUED TO-MoRROWJ