Enterprise news-record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1910-1911, 1911-04-01

great, brutal faced fellows, with barred
arms that denoted toll as well as spoils.
The third man grasped the prisoner by
the feet, swearing in a 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 were crowding through a 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 strikins ugure 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.
Your name is King, believe" came
from the thin lips of the old man.
"Yes. May inquire'-
mo; 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 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, 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 executloner. The
Iron Count sat upon bowlder near his
feet
I'VE have met before. Perhaps you
remember meeting my eve In Dame
Babbas cabin-twice, l think. You
remember. see. Ha, ha! You were
very slow not to have caught such an
old man. | dare say you are wonder.
ing what intend to do with you. now
that | have you. Well, | am not the
man to mince words. Mr.. King, you
are quite young. but the good die
young. am very old. you observe.
VIII 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.
l fancy you will die before long. We
can spare you. | do not approve of
meddiers. II seems to be quite settled
that'you are a police agent"
The steady. cruel eyes fascinated
King. He knew that he was in des-
perate straits.
II 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. II
may interest you to know that I am
very partial to Americans. Were |
cannibal could eat them In relish.
u had my way. all Americans should
be In heaven. The earth surely Is
not good enough nor big enough for
them, and hell is already overcrowded.
Yes. | love the Americans dearly. /
should enjoy a similar visit from Mr..
John Tullls, expect him to visit me
N my humble castle before many days.
should like to have him remain there
until his dying day."
King shuddered.