Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-07-02
CHAPTER XXI.


iauy ieIt the capins shio huBD&To, ana
the table was pinewood-was It a pine
table. maam?"
Ferriss nodded.
If the candle, not bein' In a holder,
burned down to that fat pine-wood, may
be your witch has got her punishment, by
this time"
We'll" he went on, "one snakes had
its back broke by q poker, and another's
got herself singed very likely. but there's
still whole knot Of EN- alive-and headed
this way"
Propped against Sue Bakers shoulder
Ferriss looked from Mr.. Stockton to me-
as II awaiting sentence for her sins. My
find a word to say.
Buckaloo opened the library door, ana
thrust In his head. Can speak 10 you
gentlemen7 Mr.. Bran, he's"
II understand" interrupted the lawyer.
Hold him there, Buckaloo-very well done
Miss Ferriss, well leave you with Sue.
Take care of her. Sue" He caught up his
documents from my desk. Come on,
gentlemen--I've been expecting this"
He went out, the bailiff at his heels.
fingered a moment
FERRIS, II we're attacked, the safest
FA@~N ANA gNN 20 hCAO ~ Tie hbidIJs 0uo
will stay with you. Don't be frightened
If you hear firing-no bullet can get
through those oak shutters dear"
BE careful" she wispeher. "Oh, be
careful" 1 raised her hand to my lips,
then hurried into the hall, closing the
door behind me.
1 found Bran facing Mr. Stockton and
Hubbard. He was cIoaked and spurred for
a ride. Behind him, Buckaloo leaned sui
lenly on his fowlihspiece.
This idiot wouldn't let me pass" said
Bran impatisntly. "He said he had orders
not to let anybody in or out. swore he'd
shoot me II I stirred. by Cad! 1 told him
the orders weren't meant to apply to me,
but he wouldn't bulge"
THE orders are meant to apply to you."
/ said, particularly to you.
"Eh2 What's that! Dye mean I can't
go out when like?"
You can't go out tonight"
why, by Cad Hal, this is tyranny" he
ragged, Damned II I'll endure iti' BY a
great effort he managed to change his
tone. why do you publish this ironclad
order tonight of all others?"
Bran" said sravely, IF you hadn't
been immured in your own room for the
last hour, you'd know that Ferris Dayton
10 here-here with news that the faga-
mullins from the swamp may attack this
instant"
His disdainful humor vanished. "Ferris?
Here with that newsl You don't say so
I was busy getting into riding toys and
didn't hear. But the Pine Owls, you say?
Pshaw, man.. They'll never dare attack
Morvan--nsver In the world. I'd stand by
you on the chance. though. II could, but
I'm bound to go tonight. dye see?-bound
in honor"
you're bound to stay" I answered.
He turned on the lawyer. Mr.. stockton
you know
II know nothing about IT," snapped the
lawyer, nothing about It, Mr.. Bran"
Bran stared At him, then again ad-
dressed himself to me. Hang It, HAL this
won't do. Look here--T must CO.. can't
disappoint woman, you know"
''shams, cir" said. Il do know-I
know too we'll"
Eth! Why, man---'
The lawyer made . sign to Hubbard.
The latter interviewed briskly. ITS no use,
sir. II you won't stay wiliin', you must
unwiliin'." He took a paper from Mr.
Stockton and touched Bran lightly upon
the shoulder. "Bramfieid Morvan. I ar
rest you as an accessory before and after
the fact in the assault and battery upon
Timothy Buckaloo."
Bran paled, but stood his ground. He
glared at the lawyer
SIS this a joke, Mr.. stockton? II IL is.
It's gone far enough. You know very
we'll"
The bailiff went on harshly. ALSO. for
conspiring to work bodily harm to the
person Of Henry Morvan. Esquire; also.
for robbing divers persons by force and
violence on the public way"
ITS a lie!' cried Bran. Its a damned
ne!' He lifted his whip threatingly.
For heavens sake, don't obiige us to
use force" said. We're prepared to 20 to
extremes with you-you've brought this
upon your self" pointed to a chair. 'sit
there sir. and pray that we have no
bloodshed here tonight"
He glared about-everywhere stern faces
confronted him All at once he flung down
his whip with . fierce oath. Dropping his
cloak and hat, he sank heavily into the
chair. His head bent forward, and his
legs outstretched, he scOwled straight be-
fore him. He sat thus through all that
followed. During the Wild events OF that
night. believe he neither spoke nor moved.
The affair was settled none too soon
Jerry touched me on the arm.
'Mastah Henry, Baker he says come
quick. Theys a lot o. folks comm up
through the meadow"
ITO your pests gentlemen" ordered.
Jerry. go tell Miss Ferriss not to be
afraid-and stay near her"
Mr.. Stockton hurried to help Dick at
the rear. Sam Joined Buckaloo for the de-
Tense Of the side door Hubbard and ran
up the staircase. and stepped upon the
porch roof beside Baker. Shotgun poised,
he was pesring into the darkness.
What do you see Baker,"
II don't see much. SIR" returned the
farmer. but l thought l heard a kind of
trampin' over there" He motioned with
his weapon.
Sheltered by the tall columns OF the
porch. We held our breath and listened.
The night was cold and overcast The
moon was up, but. hidden by the clouds
gave only a diffused and uncertain light.
Although one might descry an object within
twenty or thirty yards. beyond all was lost
in haze.
Then weird thing happened. A man,
mounted upon a powerful horse, rode out
abruptly OF the mist He Sat erect, with
what seemed a rife across HIS saddlebow.
Above his broad shoulders. where his face
ought to have been. was only q hIdsouz
outline In black.