The Calumet news., 1911-04-12

/ of the table. O'Ryan brought tho
wine and retired into a corner.
could not see the expression of his
face as Costa talked on my behalf
"There are some men IL is pleasure
10 help slowly out of life" the Span
lard went on with diabolical careless
ness. ''rhe cries OF coward and
craven are good music. but there arc
others who. having faced death brave
ly every day. should not be allowed TO
die slowly even at the hands of their
enemies They have been real men all
their lives. with hand always ready
10 help worthy friend or foe. and it
is for worthy men 10 help them when
the time comes. We all know that Sir
Verrall is man."
They nodded and drank their wine in
silence.
| thought IT was time to speak for
myself.
I'VE are all men here" | said. I
looked toward Organs corner and
hoped he understood that ] excepted
him. Had we met outside these walls
we should have fought each other 10
the death Whether ! fell or my en-
envy fortune would decide. but which
ever it was it would have been an hon.
orable fall DO not fear even such a
death as you administer within these
walls. but should like TO cheat those
false friends of mine who would gloat
over my lingering agonies."
"And one Of them is n woman. eh?"
said one man, who appeared to be the
chief.
"Yes."
"a man should never suffer for the
sake of n woman" he returned. and
his companions nodded approval Of the
sentiment.
"Then, my friends. are you willing to
help me?"
stand up" said the spokesman,
"Let me look at you
/ did as was requested. He was a
master in his Internal art. and he
passed his hands over my arms and
back and thighs. His touch was loath.
some. not in itself exactly. but by in
ference The others gathered round
him TO watch the operation.
There are muscles here that will
take some cracking" he said thought
fully.
can unlucky blow on the head might
ease that difficulty" sugTc-tc-.
aye. and stretch our limbs instead
OF yours" he laughed. my willing
ness to help you does not extend to
that"
"a quick jerk should Suffice" said
Costa.
"Feel that muscle. captain| was the
answer.
Costa put his hand under my shoul-
der and whistled.
ut is harder than the kings" said
the executioner.
II know that" Costa answered, re-
my trial Of strength with
his majesty. but that sweet machine
Of yours should be equal to it."
"You think it has had practice
enough, eh, captain"
81 warrant it can be turned 10 crack
even the knights muscles. mighty as
they are" said one OF the others. at
can be gentle and powerful too. Do
you remember when it embraced a
man and a woman on the same dayp
THAT experiment is likely to be re-
peated," said the chief executoner.
THE princess!' / exclaimed.
"Thoy say So"
"Why trouble Sir verrall with thatT
said Costa. evidently angry that had
been tod.
'It is of little consequences" an
swered the man. with n rough laugh.
'In death a man can only take care of
himself. l will treat the lady quickly,
too, If the knight wills It,"
With an effort was calm.
This is indeed being a comrade." I
said, holding out my hand. ~ have a
in my nature-a foolish one,
but don't like women to suf-
fer."
at requires strength to suffer much.
Women don't suffer as men do" he re-
turned, with brutal certainty. "And
4 they do what matter? They are
only women"
1 dared not express my horror.
But in this case you will bring
ieath quickly?" l said.
"You may rely on u.s."
THAT is satisfactory" said Costa.
Using
/ had almost forgotten Organ. I
him then.
"That man has heard our bargains
said.
He will not betray it."
DO you swear not to do so?" I said,
urning TO the Irishman.
Il am rot less merciful than tha
he growled.
l shook each villain by the hand ns
e left me and asked Costa to distrib.
te among them what few possess
Ions ! had shook hands even with
'Ryan. and then ] was left alone.
Did oRyan grasp my hand more
rmiy than was necessary? / might
ave spent the night wondering. but
hen they had gone broke down for
le lirst time during my Imprisonment.
shed tears of impotent rage. pacing
" cell frantically, cursing and beat.