The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-03-24

round for the danger. Then he missed
a face.
Where is our friend Goyle, our dear
landlord?" he asked with pleasant
irony.
He hasn't been here today, Bat
fastened to say.
Jimmy looked at Conner standing by
the door biting his nails, n Conner
avoided his eye.
Ali" Jimmy's was per-
fectly simulated.
Jimmy wants us to send the girl
back Conner was speaking hurried
ly. He thinks there'll be trouble, and
his friend the tee thinks there will be
trouble, too
Jimmy heard the artfully-worded in
dlctment unmoved. Again he noticed,
with some concern, that wha was tan
tarnount to a charge of treachery was
received without a word.
1t isn't what others think, it is what
l think, Connor," he said dryly. The
girl a got to go back. / want Reale's
money as much as you. but l have a
fancy to play fair this journey"
on, you have, have you" sneered
Conner. He had seer the cupboard
door behind Jimmy move ever so
slightly.
Jimmy sat with his legs crossed on
the chair that had been placed for
him. The light overcoat he had worn
over his evening dress lay across his
knees. Connor 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 ervou to a point
of incoherence on the way to the
house. Now his voice rose to a strid-
ent pitch.
You're too clever. Jimmy" he said,
and there are too nan 'musts' about
you to please US. We say that the girl
has got to stay, and by = we mean
it,"
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
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. Then he saw 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 IN p white glove. as
though about to depart. II am willing
to hear your views, but I would point
out that l have an equal interest in the
young lady, Connor.'
He gazed refiectively into the palm
of his gloved hand as If admiring the
tit. There was something so peculiar
in this apparently innocent action. that
Conner started forward with an oath.
Quick, Goyle!" he shouted; but
Jimmy was out of his chair and was
standing with his back against the
cupboard, and III jimmy's ungioved
hand was an ugly black weapon that
was all butt and barrel.
He waved them back, and thew
shrank away from him.
Let me see you ALL" he commanded.
none of your getting behind one an
other. l want to see what you are
doing. Get away from that coat OF
yours, Bat, or Til 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 no sign.
so you are all wondering how
I knew about the cupboard" he
jeered. He held up the gloved
hand, n in the palm something flash
ea pack the light OF 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. Conner, you will please
bring to me the lady you abducted this
afternoon
Conner hesitated; then he intercept
a glance from Bat Sands, and sui
lenly 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
Ill. and motfoned one of the men to
place a hair 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 a gentleman, she
could see that, and her heart leapt
within her as she realized that he
presence of this man in the %fasionably
clothes and the most questionable
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 he
past few hours had almost reduced her
to a state of collapse.
(Cont.nued Next Weekly