Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-04-08
round for the danger. Then he missed

round for the danger. Then he missed
a face.
Where is u friend Goyle. our dear
irony.
He hasn't been here today" Bat
nastened TO say.
Jimmy looked at Conner standing by
the door biting his nails, n Conno
avoided his eye.
"Ah!" Jimmy's unconcern was per-
fectly simulated.
Jimmy ANTS us to send the girl
back" Conner was speaking hurried
ly. He thinks there'l be trouble, and
his friend the tee thinks there will be
trouble, too"
Jimmy heard the artfully-worded in
dictment unmoved. Again he noticed,
tamount to a charge of treachery was
received without a word
1T isn't what others think, ii Is what
I think, Connor," he said dryly. 1.-The
girl has got to go back. / want eale's
money as much as you. but / have a
fancy to play fair this Journey"
"Oh, 0 have, nave you," sneered
Common. He had seen the cupboard
door behind Jimmy move ever SO,
slightly.
Jimmy sat with his legs crossed on
the chair that a been placed for
him. The light overcoat he had worn
over his evening dress lay across his
knees. Common knew the moment was
at hand, and concentrated his efforts
to keep his former comrades attentions
engaged. He had guessed the meaning
of Goyle's absence from the room and
the moving cupboard door In his pres
ent position Jimmy was helpless.
Conner had been nervous to a point
of incoherence on the way to the
hn11cn Nnuy hin Nynf0n nneA tA n eNril
ent pitch.
You're too clever, Jimmy he said,
"and there are too many 'musts' about
you to please us. We say that the girl
has got to stay, and by we mean
It'll"
Jimmy's wits were at work. The
danger was very close at hand, he
felt that. He must change his tactics.
He had depended too implicitly upon
Connor's fear of him, and had reckoned
without the Borough Lot" From
which OF these men did danger threat
en-? He took their faces in in one
comprehensive glance. He knew them
he had their black histories at his
finger tips. hen he say a coat hang
ing on the wall at the farther end OF
the room. He recognized the garment
instantly. 1t was Goyle's. Where was
the owner? He temporized.
Il haven't the slightest desire to up
set anybody's plans" he drawled, and
started drawing On a white glove, as
though about to depart. Il am willing
to hear your views, but 1 would point
out that / have an equal interest in the
young lady, Common"
He gazed reflectively into the palm
Of his gloved hand as If admiring the
fit. There was something so peculiar
in this apparently innocent action, that
Conner started forward with an oath.
Quick, Goyle!" he shouted: but
Jimmy was cut cf his chair and was
standing with his back against the
cupboard, and in Jimmy's ungloved
hand was an ugly black weapon that
was all butt and barrel.
He waved them back, and they
shrank awe from him..
Let me see you ALL" he commanded,
none of your getting behind one an
other. / want to see what you are
doing. Get away from that coat of
yours, Bat, or I'll put a bullet in your
stomach"
He had braced himself against the
door in anticipation of the thrust OF
the man, but it seemed as though the
prisoner inside had accepted the situa-
ton, for he made nc sign.
80 you are all wondering how
/ knew about the cupboard" he
jeered. He held up the gloved
hand, and in the palm something flash
ed back the light OF the lamp.
Conner knew. The tiny mirror sewn
in the palm Of the sharper's glove was
recognized equipment.
Now, gentlemen" said Jimmy with
a hooking laugh, Il must insist on hav-
ing my way. Common, you will please
bring to me the lady you abducted this
afternoon"
Conner hesitated; then he intercept
ed a glance from Bat Sands, and sui
Ienly withdrew from the room.
Jimmy did not speak till Conner had
returned ushering in the White faced
girl. He saw that she looked faint and
i'll, and motioned one of the men to
place a chair for her. What she saw
amidst that forbidding group was a
young man with a little Vandyke beard,
who looked at her with grave, thought
full eyes. He was d gentleman, she
could see that, and her heart leapt
within her as she realized that the
presence Of this man in the f~asionably
cut clothes and the most unfashionable
pistol meant deliverance from this hor-
rible place.
Miss Kent" he said kindly.
She nodded, she could not trust her
self to speak. The experience Of tho
past few hours had almost reduced her
to a state Of collapse.