Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-17

Dismounting ut the steps. he walked
TO the versnda. where I was waiting
for him. and Btttinger came out. See
ing two parsons instead OF one. the lat
ter put on a feicned scowL saying:
I suppose you TWO lazy rascals have
come down on me for dinner. I don't
mind feeding you If you'll let me OF
from your efforts 20 convert me. |
wish you 10 understand that I'm n
heather. and. what's more. you can't
make me anything else
Dinner was waiting. so we all Went
in together. Since Desperate was
3 guest no other members Of the
family. except Bettinger. were present
and he was secretly well armed. The
women in the house were all put no on
to the top story. where they would not
be injured in case any shooting took
place.
BittinEer. so long as we RETAINED
from any effort TO convert him. made
q pleasant host. but as soon as we
made the slightest effort in that Girec.
ton. or. rather. when l did so. for my
colleague. being solely interested in
getting his hands on the piuuder. lef!
this part OF the performance entirely
with me, our host grew grim. My plan
was that we two parsons should spend
the night IN the house. WagstlG would
pick the lock Of the supposed treasure
room and go in. and I would see that
he didn't get out without a surrender.
Mr.. Warbury,' l said at table,
dropping in presence Of our heather
host the prefix brother. Il would like
tomorrow. if Mr.. Bittnger viii keep
US till then. to have you visit with me
some persons in this neighborhood 70
whom l have been endeavorinS to ad
minister spiritual comfort I think
you viii be able TO add largely to their
consolation"
Il don't mind" he replied
ooh, you can stay here If you like"
put in Bittinger. I've got two rooms
vacant. one on the second story, the
other down here. The one down here
is the only bedroom on this floor. We
keep it exclusively for guests"
1 gave a quick glance at the villain
and saw an expression Of satisfaction
on his face at the prospect OF being
assigned a room near the treasure and
being left alone on the floor to work
out the problem without disturbing
any one.
All was going well when l. who sat
facing 4 window, saw two men riding
into the premises, one of whom knew
and who knew me. 1t was evident
that my role of parson would he play
ed out as soon as he came in and
recognized me for a sheriff. There
was no time to head or the new
Corners. 1 must think and act quickly.
I dreaded in a shooting match that
Bitinger or some one else in the
house might get hurt, but the matter
must be settled then and there.
"Hellor' 1 exclaimed. There comes
Nick Edwards"
Wagstaff turned ike a fash, at the
same time putting his hand under his
coat When he faced the table again
my weapon was within an inch of his
nose.
1 saw by his eye that ne understood
he had been trapped and was meditat-
ing whether to die then or later. but I
had my eye fixed on his and could de
tect his resolve in it before be could
even raise the revolver on which he
had got his hand Within q few mo
ments I saw that he had decided
against bullet in his brain.
Drop your weapon" 7 said.
A few seconds passed and | heard
his revolver fall on the floor
Mr. BittinCer." I said. will you
take away any other arms the rev
arend gentleman may have about
him."
Bittinger found several revolvers and .
two or three knives. At the same time
the newcomers were heard in the hall,
aud, the door being open. they were
astoUnded to see a man in
a white cravat covering with a revOlv
er one I'm the clerical cut coat and
vest of the Episcopal church. But one
IF them had seen WaGstaff and reoog
lized him. Since the other knew that
| was the sheriff Of the county. the
true Interpretation Of the dramatic
Gene was not long in getting through
heir heads
News Of The capture OF the man who
lad been the terror 81 the county for
some time and the story connected
with it gave me great eelat and led
eventually to my being elected 10 con.
,ress.
M ~ -. 4 - -. 49,