Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-08-11

- - Y ; .sss,
'BFTTER SAVE YOUR BREATH, YoUNa Eel.
LEH. YOU WONT HAvt: IT LONG"
great, brutal faced fellows. with barred
arms that denoted toll as well as spo:ls.
The third man Crasped the prisoner by
the lcef. swearing in q language Of
his own. The Yankee desperate took
his shoulders. and together. with ear.
nest gruits. they followed the man
with the lantern. He could see that
they were crowdinC through low.
narrow passage, finally depositing him
with scant courtesy upon the rocky
floor Of what proved to be a rather
tOmmodious cave.
Daylight streamed into this conven-
lent "hole In the WALL" lying upon his
| side. Truxton faced the opening that
looked out upon the world. Near the
opening stood the tall. gaunt figure Of
a man. thin shouldered and stoopcd.
His back was to the captive, but King
observed that the three men. with two
companions, who sat at the back of
the cave never removed their gaze
from the striking figure outlined
against the sky.
The watcher turned slowly to take in
the altered conditions behind him.
King saw that he was old. gray haired
and cadaverous. This. then. was the
'Old man." and he was not William
Spantz.
"Ycur name is King. believe" came
from the thin lips of the old man.
Yes May l inquire
NO: you may not inquire, Put a
gag in his mouth. don't care to hear
anything from him. Gag him and cut
the rope from his feet He may walk
from now on"
Three men sprang to do his bidding.
King felt in that insthnt that he was
looking for the first time upon the fca-
lures Of the Iron Count. MarlauX the
Gishonored. He lay there helpless.
speechess for many minutes. glancing
at this cruel tyrant. 1t was enough
that Marlanx suspected him Of being
in the way. To be suspected was to
be condemned.
Marlanx was speaking. Truxton
looked up. as at an eXecutioner. The
Iron Count sat upon bowlder near his
feet.
I'VE have met before. Perhaps you
remember meeting my eye in Dame
Babba's cabin-twice, ! think. You
remember. | see. Fla. ha, You were
very slow not to have caught such an
old man. dare say you are wonder
Ing what l intend to do with YOU. now
that l have you. Well, | am not the
man to mince words. Mr. King, you
are quite young. but the good de
young, l am very old. you observe.
Will not say that you are to die to-
night or tomorrow or any day. for |
DO not know. am going to send you
TO court. Not an ordinary court. Mr..
King. but one OF extreme perspicacity.
fancy you will die before long. We
can spare you. do not approve of
meddcrs. 1t seems to be quite settled
that you are police agent"
The steady. cruel eyes fascinated
King He knew that he was in des
perate straits.
Il am glad you called again at my
temporary abode. Mr.. King. Ameri-
cans are always welcome: the sooner
they come. the sooner It's over. Il
may interest YOU to know that I am
very partial to Americans Were |
cannibal could eat them in relish.
II had my way. all Americans should
DE IN heaven. The earth surely is
not good enough nor big enough for
them, and hell is already overcrowded.
Yes love the Americans dearly. I
should enjoy similar visit from Mr..
John Tullis. expect him to visit me
in my humble castle before many days.
] should like to have him remain there
until his dying day"
King shuddercd
"Night Is coming. must say fare
well, my bold young friend. My way
linS 70 thu north