Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-08-18

4
under the jaw. without q sound Jean
staggered back. tottered for q 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 good
onev' he gasped after he had taken .
long breath or two. "Will you teach
1t to me. m'seur?"
Get up!' commanded Rowland. Il
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 tho
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 hotly. do you under
stand that what you have done will put
you behind prison bars for ten years or
more? Does 1t dawn on you that I'm
going to take you back to the authofi-
ties and that as soon as We reach tho
Wekusko I'll have twenty men back on
the trail Of these friends Of yOursT
A gray pallor spread itself over Jeans
thin face.
1.-THE great God. m'seur. you cannot
do that!"
"Cannotr' Howland's fingers dug
into the edge of the table. by this
great God OF yours. Croisset but Will
And why not2 Isit because Meleese b
among this gang Of cutthroats and
murderers? Pish, my dear, Jean. you
must he fool. They tried to kill mo
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 I take you back to the Wekusko
wen get you all"
If, m'seurT
"Yes. IT,"
"And that .ir"- Jean was strain.
ing against the table.
1T rests with you. CrOjsset. will
bargain with you. Either 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 1t be?"
"And II I take you to Meleese.
m'seur?"
Rowland Strengthened. his voice trem-
bling little with excitement.
III you take me to Meleese and swear
to do as l say I shall bring no harm to
you or your friends"
''And Meleese''- Jeans eyes dark.
ened again. "You will not harm her,
m'seurY
Harm herr" 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? l tell you that l love her and
that am willing to die in fighting for
her. Until now l haven't had the
chance You and your friends have
played cowardly underhand game.
Croisset. You have taken me from be-
hind at every move. and now it's up to
you to square yourself little. On
derstand2 You take me to Meleese or
there'll be cleanup that will put you
and the whole bunch out Of business.
Harm herr Again Rowland laughed,
leaning his white face toward. Jean.
Come, which shall 1t be, Croisset1"
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 have left
me but one choice. will take you to
Meleese. and that means
"GOOdv cried Rowland.
LA, Ia. 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 IL
certain!'
Rowland turned briskly to the stove.