The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-05-30

great. brutal faced fellows. with barred
arms that denoted toll as we'll as spoils.
The third man grasped the prisoner by
the feet. swearing in language Of
his own. The Yankee desperate took
his shoulders, and together. with ear
nest grunts. they followed the man
with the lantern. He could see that
they We're crowdins through low.
narrow passage. finally depoSiting him
with scant courtesy upon the rocky
floor Of what proved to be a rather
cOmmOdiouS 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
man. thin shouldered and stopped.
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 cadaverCus. This. then. was the
"old man." and he was not William
| Spantz.
"Your name is King. believe" came
from the thin lips of the old man.
| Eyes. May 1 inquire
! No; you may not inquire. Put a
gag in his mouth. l 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 instant that he was
looking for the first time upon the fea-
lures of the Iron Count. Marlanx the
dishonored. He lay there helpless
speechleSs for many minutes, CHANGING
at this cruel tyrant. 1t was enough
that Marlanx suspected him of being
in the way. To be suspected was tc
be condemned.
Marlanx was speaking Truxtor
looked up. as at an eXecutiOner. The
Iron Count sat upon bowlder near biz
feet.
1--WE have met before Perhaps yoy
remember meeting my eye in Dame
Babba's cabin-twice, 1 think. 70,
remember, l see. Ha. ha. You wer,
very slow not to have caught such al
old man. l dare say you are wonder
Ing what l intend to do with you. nov
, that l have you. Well, l am not tn
man to mince words. Mr.. King. 70,
are quite young. but the good di
young. l am very Old you observe.
will not say that you are to die tc
night or tomorrow or any day. for
: do not know. l am going to send yo
I to court. Not an ordinary court. MI
. King. but one of extreme perspicacity
l fancy you will die before long. W
q can spare you. l do not approve q
meddlers. 1t seems to be quite settle
! that you are a police agent
The steady. cruel eyes fascinate
=, King. He knew that he was in de.
perate straits.
y Il am glad you called again at m
temporary abode. Mr.. King. Amer
: cans are always welcome: the soone
they come. the sooner it's over.
may interest you to know that al
very partial to Americans. Were
Il cannibal | could eat them in relisl
:, If had my way all Americans shout
a Oe in heaven. The earth surely
not good enough nor big enough fl
r them. and hell is already overcrowde,
:, Yes. | love the Americans dearly.
= should enjoy a similar visit from NJ
- John Tullis. l expect him to visit II
IN my humble castle before many day
| should like to have him remain thel
until his dying day"
- King shuGderet!.
% might is coming. must say far
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