The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-08-15

under the jaw. Without sound Jean
staggered back, tottered for moment
on his feet and fell to the floor. Fifty
seconds later he opened his eyes to
find his hands bound behind his back
and Rowland standing at his feet.
''Mon Dieu, but that was a good
oner' he gasped after, he had taken a
long breath or two. "Win you teach
it to me, m'seur?
"Get upv' commanded Rowland. 81
have no time to waste, Croisset." He
caught the Frenchman by the Shout
ders and helped him to chair near
the table. Then he took possession
of the others weapons, including the
revolver which Jean had taken from
him, and began to dress. He spoke
no word until he was done.
"Do you understand what is going to
happen, Croisset?" he cried then, his
eyes blazing holly. do you under
stand that what you have done will put
you behind prison bars for ten years or
more? Does it dawn on you that I'm
going to take you back to the authori-
ties and that as soon as we reach the
Wekusko I'll have twenty men back on
the trail of these friends of yours?''
A gray pallor spread itself over jeans
thin face.
'"The great God, m'seur, you cannot
do thatv'
Cannot" Howland's fingers dug
into the edge of the table. "By this
1roof God of vn,1rS CroisSof hy,t T wilt
And why not? Is it because Meleese is
among this gang Of cutthroats and
murderers? Pish, my dear Jean, you
must be a fool. They tried to kill me
on the trail, tried it again in the coyote,
and you came back here determined to
kill me. You've held the whiphand
from the first Now it's mine. / swear
that If take you back to the Wekusko
We'll get you ALL"
"If, m'seur?"
Eyes, if.''
"And that ff'"- Jean was strain
ing against the table.
'It rests with you, Croisset. I will
bargain with you. Either I shall take
you back to the Wekusko, hand you
over to the authorities and send force
after the others or you shall take me to
Meleese. Which shall it be?''
"And if 1 take you to Meleese,
m'seurT
Rowland Strengthened, his voice trem-
bling little with excitement.
IF you take me to Meleese and swear
to do as say 1 shall bring no harm to
you or your friends
"And Meleese''- jeans eyes dark
ened again. You will not harm her,
m'seur?"
Harm her" There was laughing
tremor in Howland's voice "Good
God, man, are you so blind that you
can't see that I am doing this because
Of her? I tell you that love her and
that I am willing to die in fighting for
her. Until now I haven't had the
chance. You and your friends have
played cowardiy underhand game,
Croisset. You have taken me from be-
hind at every move, and now it's up to
you to square yourself a little. On
derstand? You take me to Meleese or
thereIl be cleanup that will put you
and the whole bunch out of business.
Harm her.! Again Rowland laughed,
leaning his white face toward Jean.
"Come, which shall it be, CroissetP
You are mistaken in some things,
m'seur," CrOisset said quietly. Until
today 1 have fought for you and not
against you. But now you have left
me but one choice. / will take you to
Meleese, and that means
"Goodr' cried Rowland.
LA, la, m'seur, not so good as you
think. 1t means that as surely as the
dogs carry US there you will never
come back. Mon Dieu, your death is
certaini'
Rowland turned briskly to the stove.
Hungry, Jean? he asked more COM
panionably. Lets not quarrel, man.
You've had your fun. and now. I'm go