The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1912-02-09

ing of a flat-wheel at the forward end
of the coach, fell asleep. He waken-
ed suddenly after a nap of some two
hours or so, to confusion of impress
sions: that the train had stopped;
that some one had invaded his COM
partment; that a cold blast was blow
/ ing across his wrists. Bewi'dered and
not half master of his senses. he start
ed up and fell back with a thud, as
sisted to resume recumbent position
by heavy blow upon his chest, deliv-
cred by some person for the moment
unknown. simultaneously he was
aware of a clicking sound, followed by
the sensation of being unable to move
his feet; and then. the clouds clearing
from his understanding. he realized
that the cold upon his wrists was that
of steel. With handouts also on his
ankles, he lay helpless, unable even
to protest because of cloth wadded
tightly into his mouth and firm hand
that prevented election.
Other hands were rifling his peck.
cts, swiftly but after bungling fash
ion. The train, having paused briefly
at Setif Che afterwards located the
station by conjecture). began to
move again, was presently Ia
full laundering fight. Abruptly the
examination of his person-which
was so thorough that It included
the opening of his shirt to as
sure the thieves that he carried moth
ing in the shape of a money-belt-
was concluded and the adventurer
1rv ~.
sition At the same time his gag was
removed
He gasped, blinked, coughed, and
rolled resentful eye around the COM
partment. BE the powers," he said
huskily; and no more At first glance
1t became apparent that he had mis-.
calculated the audacity and resource
of the vicomte and Mr. Glynn. They
had literally caught him mapping
The Honorable BERTHE, O'Rourke dis
covered kneeling In the act of turning
the adventurers travelling gear inside
out; at least, he seemed to be try
ing to do so. Monsieur lie Vicomte
des Trebes on the contrary was seat
ed at ease. facing O'Rourke. revolver
on the cushion beside him, his in
terest concentrated not upon his cap
tive, upon his collaboration. O'Rourke
remarked an expression on the French.
mans face. a curious compound of
eagerness, triumph and apprehension.
Without noting the Irishman's ejec-
ulation, he addressed Glynn: Find
it?"
"No-worse luck," grumbled the
Englishman, rising and kicking the
handbag savagely. There isn't so
much as a scrap of paper anywhere
about him.
The vicomte favored ORourke with
vicious glance. muttering something
about thousand devils. The Irish
man, quick to grasp the situation and
inwardly exulting. acknowledged Des
Trebes' attention with winning
smile
Good evening" he said, and nodded
amiably.
"Oh, shut up" snapped the Honor
able BERTHE, unhandsomely. where's
that letter."
O'Rourke chuckled. "Ye're a hard
loser. me bright young friend" he
commented. Il though Englishmen
always played the game as It laid"
Glyn4 grunted and flushed, shame
faced, but the Frenchman cut short
the retort on his lips by a curt repe-
tition OF Glynn's own question:
where's that letter, monsieur"
O'Rourke glanced at him languidly.
yawned. and smiled an exasperating
strictly personal smile. Then sig
nificantly he clinked the handouts I'M
til they rang on wrist and ankle.
Answer mel" snarled the vcomtc,
picking up his revolver.
"Divvle a word" observed O'Rourke,
will ye get from me II ye shoot me
dead, monsieur lie vicomte. Put down
your pistol and be sensible"
Dies Trebes' face darkened, suf-
fused with the blood of his rage Yet
the man asserted that admirable con-
troll of self which he was able to en-
ploy when 1t suited his purposes. Evil
IDENTIFY, too, he recognized the cold
common-sense of the wanderers re-
mark. At all events he put aside the
weapon.
where's the letter." he demanded
again, more Practically.
Again O'Rourke yawned with NAL
ice prepense, yawned deliberately and
exhaustively and dispassionately.
Not a word" he volunteered at
length, until ye loose me hands and
feet. Which" he added, 'ye need not
hesitate to do, for I'll not strike back
unless ye crowd me-"
The vicomte scowled darkly for a
moment plainly dubious. Then pre-
sumably upon the consideration that
he could trust O'Rourkes word and
that most assuredly he would learn
nothing from him until his request
was complied with, he growled an or