The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-01-18

He looked across from Areana' 5
impassive face to that OF the others
the torches.
And the lawyer told me-vou
see, my friend, l put two and two
together-that should your sister die
without issue you would inherit not
only her share in your fathers es-
tate, but large fortune coming to
her from some one else-an aunt,
| think"
This is madness, Bargone,' said
Areana, hotly. Madness or intoxi-
cation or both. l will overlook it
this once. Another time"
His eyes glanced swiftly over the
faces of those about him, resting
last and longest on Grantly's bloody,
disfigured countenance
Safe and unharmed," he repeated.
slowly. 81 believe those Were my
orders, Bargone. You say that you
had no trouble securing the prison
er, yet you bring to me man
whose features are so bruised and
maued as to be unrecogniZable VIII
you tell me the reason for this?'
You will have to ask Aslin about
his peculiar methods of coercing a
helpless prisoner" said Bargone
quietly, but | saw an eager light
spring to his eyes, and the man
whose appearance had so puzzled me
moved a little nearer the torches
and a quick signal of some kind
pass between them.
What is this, Aslin?" said Area
ma, icily, and he drew himself up
little. rs Bargone speaking the
truth"
Aslin muttared something-that was
not denial. Perhaps Areana knew
what death blow Bargone had just
dealt to his rule and was eager TO
assert his waning authority where
il was safe to do SO. At any rate,
saw him spring forward. The next
instant the sickening snap of bro.
ken bone, mingled with a yell of
agony, and Asin pitched forward,
an inert mass, in a dead faint.
Areana faced the others with level,
emotonless gaze.
When the surly brute-he has had
his warning before-comes out of his
swoon he Will have time to learn
his lesson while he is nursing that
broken arm," he said coolly. Under
stand, men, / will have no trifling
with orders" He looked at Bargone
meaningly. "My will is paramount
here, and | brook no interference
fVom any," he added pointedH.
A sullen murmur rose amid the
little group. Perhaps his owr meE
resented Areana's peremptory way
OF dealing with his subordinates. At
any rate, | saw something bright
flash in the torchlight and Bargone
flung himself forward. Under the on
sldught, as sudden as il was unex.
pected, Areana went down. / heard
the click of pair of handouts, and
the next moment the shrinking men
were staring wrathfully down the
barrel of a pistol, and a business.
like voice Zone that had heard |
before and ought to have recognized) |
was saying briskly
One at a time. gentlemen. Now,
Reynolds, l will trouble you for the
bracelets. Edward Anneny, of the |
detective force, at your service, my
friends. Look alive there, Reynolds,
please"
The man who had been back in
the shadow slipped forward. 1t was
Harold. my brother | was not long
in joining him.
was glad to see when had
done so that even Annerly. the
great detective, was slightly taken
aback by my appearance.
We'll. I'll be" He swore explo-
sively. And whom have we here?"
l explained briefly while Harold
was ironing the prisoners with a
deftness and celebrity that spoke of
a fondness for the job.
You would come, you know" said
looking at me whimsically. |