The Washington times., 1912-10-09

downl OuickW ,s..
Grafton rose and walked to the wreck
seated himself on the edge. His captor
took chair and with q revolver ready
for use, stared at him.
II guess you'll bear watching at close
.I guess 1 willl' snapped his victim.
We'll. we'll make 'em close. enough.
don't you worry. Here, that'll dol Don'i
try getting UP aagin. I've got you
where want you and there you stay,
Grafton regarded him silently. Plainly
the fellow was very much in earnest
and Colson's money had made him so.
What was the plan-what should be his
ultimate disposition? Were they going
dispose OF his body In one Of the hun
dred possible ways7
Was John Grafton to drop out Of ex-
istence In this low den TO the nine days
low-citizens and the eternal sorrow OF
his wife and his few other relatives? ?
Or was he to be released when the
worst Of the damage had been done
as he grew calmer he resolved to learn,
by diplomatic means II possible. Just
what the answer might be.
See here, my man. said Grafton
e'&olly; '&Wlyc;,,w
What is to become Of ne?"
Become O. yS?" The other chuckled.
Dunno, mister"
"oh, I guess they amt nobody goin'
to hurry ye. II 20 lie stili and keep that
trap o. yours closed"
80 those were Colson's orders-to
keep me here. alive or dead7'
THE man who brought me here"
,''oh, the other swell guy? Well and
the thug smiled dryly. you seem TO
be pretty wise. mister
Left word to shoot me n 1t became
necessary, did her pursued Grafton.
The other laughed outright. e..
You take II easy, anyway. J dunno.
All he said was to keep you here.
How long am supposed to visit with
you'll see." ...
"I should prefer knowing at the pres
ent time. What earthly difference can
i least stone one gun ana % for ali Know half a
dozen more. am unarmed: as you
know perfectly well. Why don't you
.sys ss,sss sss.' arc yss s in 4ss sassh sshs
scratched his bristling chin. You're
just goin' to be here a couple O. days,
"Ah? Today is the twentieth, In II
not? I'm to be allowed to go tomorrow.
'"sS %Not quite. Tho next day. ! guess.
Grafton nodded casually. THE twenty
"somewheres around three or four in
aaa .ne ..Th'. ,hn Elm. he .aiJ we
s,,,hS ~, 80, Ioosa"
Thank you for the information" re-
ptsa ,oaa.d hact ana .,ua,ed the rrimy
,.,i,nr Snr while n he were TO leave
q, r,'s.t S accnmn,,ahed nv a single
means"bribery. Had he enough to get
himself clear: could he promise enough
tin,es 10 .ahe '''' ''A '"
'v "ybot will Won take TO let me
e.cann@., he ed placidly.
"Hev,"
"How much is It worth to you to 90
to ..sWsIIs sleepr vor va,k outr
..CntsS, ..Cwnnes 70" "A "''
"Nntbin. doin.v.. The round head
shook sadly. "It Amt me, boss. The
MAIN main" eaw T here took de Job. Ye can't
Su"wHre .:w,. ho" nnto"
"'cause the gent what brought ye
hare haS ali kind. o. coin, an the boss
is one a. these fellers that does things
on 5he level" 80. o-.,,o, ,.,.,.a =,
sp,te of himself at the phrase. so he
Couldn't coiS a be bought ofr?"
mot in a week.
but you could. eh?''
"Oh! say"
Look here" Grafton sat up briskly.
.I'ye got about 500 in my pocket, why
your friends haven't stolen il, I don't
know-but they haven't. ri give all but
$50 OF II to you for that revolver!"
"So's We can blow a few airholes In
me. hey?'
~ won't touch YOU or try TO injurs
you'll give my word Of honor on that!
Ali want is a chance to leave this
room with a loaded gun in my hand. I'll
attend to the rest"
"Mebbe the rest would attend to you
instead" rejoined the other. at ain't
no use, mister. There's six or eight O.
the boys downstairs, without the boss.
They'd make hash O. ye."
"PeThaps they would, and perhaps
they would not. Here!" He producei
the money and held It forth. why
not try Il? You can say I oyerpowersd
you. I'm larger and heavier in every
way, and II 10 not at all improbable.
You give me that gun ana stay here for
three minutes. That's all ask, and
It's an easy way to earn money!