, 1911-09-14

A DEADLY SHORT ARM PUNCH.
staggered back. tottered for a moment
OIL 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. Twill you teach
1t to me. m'seurF"
Get upi" commanded Rowland. II
have no time to waste. Croisset." He
caught the Frenchman by the Shout
ders and helped him to a chair near
the table. Then he took possession
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. C~roisset?' he cried then. his
eyes blazing hotly do you under
stand that what you have don't will put
you behind prison bars for ten years or
more? Does 1t dawn on you nat I'm
I going to take you back to the authori-
ties and that as soon as we reach the
Wekusko I'll have twenty men back OF
the trail Of these friends of yoursT'
A gray pallor spread itself over Jeans
thin face.
THE great God. m'seur. you cannot
do that"
Cannot" Howland's fingers dug
into the edge of the table. by this
great God of yours, Croisset, but | will!
And why not? Is 1t 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 II 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 II ! take you back to the Wekusko
we'll get you all"
"If, m'seur?"
Eyes, IT,"
"And that 'if'"- Jean was strain
ing against the table.
at rests with you. Croisset. will
bargain with you. Either I shall AXE
you pack to the Wekusko. hand you
over to the authorities and end a force
after the others or you shall take me to
Meleese. Which shall 1t be?"
And If l take o to Meleese.
m'seur?"
Rowland Strengthened, his voice trem-
bling a little with excitement.
"If you take me to Meleese and swear
to do as I say I shall bring no harm to
you or your friends"
mad afloo,p T,-r. 900. lauIx
ened again. You will not harm her.
m'seur?"
Harm herr" There was a laughing
tremor in Howland's voice. Good
God. man. are you SO blind that you
can't see that | Am doing this because
of her? tell you that l love her and
that l am willing to die In fighting for
her. Until now | haven't had the
chance. You and your friends have
played a cowardly 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. Un-
derstand2 o take mi to Meleese or
there'n be a 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 1t be. CroissetY'
"You are mistaken in some things,
m'seur." Croisset said quietly. Until
today l have fought for you and not
against you. But now you hav left
me but one choice. l will take you to
Meleese. and that means
"Good!' cried Rowland.
ia, la, m'seur, not so good as you
think. 1t means that as surely as the
dogs carry us there o will never
come back. Mon Dieu. your death Ii
certain!'
Rowland turned briskly to the stove
Hungry. Jean?" he asked more com
panionably. Let's not quarrel, man
You've had your fun. and now I'm go
Ing to have mine. Have you had
breakfast"
81 was anticipating that pleasure
with you. m'seur," replied Jean. with
grim humor.
And then, after l had fed you. you
were going to kill me. my dear JEAN
laughed Rowland. Topping a huge carl
bou steak on the naked top Of the sheet
Iron stove. Real nice fellow you are
eh?'
You ought to be killed, m'seur."
$50 you've said before. When l se'
Meleese I'm going to know the reason
1 why or