The Cairo bulletin., 1912-07-02
s.rG

and switched their tails. Watching
each motion like q hawk, I saw Tom
dip liver the crest. and worm his way
down. behind the rock, The he dis
appeaXEed until. as he cautiously arose
To his feet, his head and shoulders
emergeki shadowy just beyond. Real
izing hd was ready, got to my knees,
gripping pistol butt. Without a
warninst sound the dragon leaped, his
arms gripping the astonnded sentinel
with tha hug of bear. He gave ut
terance to one grunt, and then the
barrel dr. my pistol was at his head.
mot IA word!",I said sternly, "Un-
clasp ms belt. Tom. Yes. take his
gun. i'll he moves, or utters sound.
shoot him down."
wheeled to face the other, who
had lifted his head. and was staring at
US through the darkness. He was no
longer 8 mere shapeless shadow, but
d slender. straight figure. and my
heart gave sudden throb.
who are your" ! asked sharply.
Eric Mortimer"
"YesC he answered, in evident sur
prise. lido know your"
MOI and cut the rope binding
his ANKLES. "But 4 was searching for
you. j am an officer OF Maxwell's bri.
gade: Imy name Ii Lawrence. Tell
me first what has happened--why you
are being held prisoner"
He stretched his cramped arms and
legs, Hitting his hat SO that saw Lis
face dimly. In the gloom his resem-
blancelt to Claire was so remarkable
that I iinvoluntarily exclaimed
"Heavens! but you look like your
sister!t'
LIKE Claire! they all say SO: you
know herr"
1T rs at her request am here;
you need not fear to tell me your
story"
"Oh. do not. can see your uni
form. But damn 1t. don't know any
too much about what is up myself.
This in Red Fagin's outfit"
Il thought SO. Where did he get
you? iHow long have you been pris-
oner?"
The boy laughed recklessly, his eyes
upon the others.
well, my story ia short one,
Lawrence. had fellow in the Brit
| ish service who occasionally gave me
Information. Word came to me 10
meet him at certain spot"
"You mean Captain Grant," ,
i Iry,N thrk9
Never mind: / do know--so you.
can go on"
Il had no intention Of speaking
Names"
"Oh, let that pass. You may think
Grant all right, but the rest OF US
know he is at the bottom Of the whole
matter"
| "You mean he betrayed me7"
| There is no doubt of IT, He In In
with Fagin."
4 The lad drew a long breath. +,
| II half suspected It," he said slowly,
only 1t didn't seem possible. Now
listen, and perhaps together We can
make something out of all thfs. I
| went to the place where we were to
meet, and had talk with Grant
yea, II was Grant all right. He toldi
me some things, but needed day =
two to get other information. VIII
waiting / came over here to Elmhul
and found Claire. She's the kind
girl you can tell things to, and wr
out what had learned, and left sod
| Of my papers. Then / went back
Lone Tree. 1t was dark when | gos,
there. and rode right into Fagin and
three of his men. They had me before
| ! could lift a hand"
/ "Just wait minute, Mortimer"
broke in, becoming suddenly aware
there was grayness in the eastern
sky. II want to creep In toward the
/ house while 1t remains dark. You can
tell the rest as we go along. Tom.
take these ropes and tie your man up.
Make him safe. and then come along
after us"
"All right, sir. I'll fix the lad 50
,ell be safe enough for while"