The Washington times., 1909-08-02
CHAPTER IT.

IN THE HAND OF THE Law
II DICK BLAKE had had a hat upon
his head he might, just possibly,
have lifted IL IN honor of the young
lady in the party. Had the circUm-
stances Of the meeting been slightly diff
ferent he might have reflected that she
was well worthy Of any effort he might
make to cultivate her acquaintance.
AS things were, his first reflection
was not a reflection at all but a hasn
of the idea that he was being held m
by a band Of robbers. And VIII Il he
lifted was his empty hands. without
waiting for a word OF command, as
easily and naturally as though ne had
been practclng the gesture before a
mirror for months.
'D-dOn't shoot" he stammered in a
whisper that could not have reached
half way to the leader Of the party
He was about 10 add his permission
TO take anything he had when a sec
ond fash Of mental discernment re-
minded him that he did not look es-
pecially worth rObbing in the guise he
was wearing.
And this thought raised the cues
ton, What could these men want Of
him2
The leader did not shoot. Neither
did any of the rest, ali Of whom kept
him covered with their orninous-Iooking
weapons while they spurred their
horses into a quick dash toward Dick.
In half minute they were drawn up
in a semicircle about him.
With a quick word OF command to the
rest 70 keep him covered, the leader
dismounted, leaned his gun against 4
scrub-oak and walked coolly toward the
ragged unfortunate whose hands stiU
stretched upward. In his bony hands
the mountaineer held two Singing rings
OF metal whose snaps were opened at
the sides.
Without word he seized Dicks up-
raised arms and clasped the steel brace
lets upon their wrists.
Then he paused for the formalIty OF
announcing, I'm Sheriff Sprdtt, OF
Grover county"
There was a GOODNESS about his man
ner as well as IN the smooth meta
about Dicks wrist that reused that
young gentleman TO impOtent raEe.
And, he replied hOtly, you bllther-
ing fool, what does this mean any
hoW2"
He had spoken rashly. In an m
slant he staggered backward under the
Being deprived of the use of his hands,
he picked himself up with difficulty nnd
the sheriff snarled, You'd better keen
your trap. shet If you calkerlate to nvo
for a trial. A"
But. great heaven. man, what should
] be tried for?"
Dicks feelings were not at all Gained
by having been knocked down, but he
was a trifie less disrespectful I'm his tone
toward the sheriff Of Grover county.
Il reckon you amt such a derned
TOOL you don't know" was the grum
response. 1T won't help We much 10
try any blufs in these heeh Parts"
i reckon ] don't know. Why. L lust
GOT or the l. & n train at 3 o'clock
TINS afternoon-in Corn Center I'd
IKE 70 know what law I've broken
since then To-
"shet up. We amt got time to lis
ten 10 none OF yo' lies. Yo' going with
as just now. That's all there is about
The sheriff mounted his horse once
more.
Down that way" he spoke Iacon-
lcaily 10 the prisoner, pointing In the
opposite direction from that bv which
Dick had come from Corn Center "An'
step lively or / Calkerlate you might
get run over"
Dick started TO obey, dumb now with
anger and disgust He had not gone a
dozen PAGES. however, when a reaIiza-
ton Of the true meaning Of the s!tua-
ton came over him. The man who had
taken his clothes and escaped was
criminal for whom this posse was
searching
And. while they were taking him TO