The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-12-10
iS1TIME
|'I|.'..|.|.... LOCK |
By CHARLES EDM0NDS WALK |
Author Of "The Silver Blade"
"The Paternoster Ruby" etc.
copyright 1912 by A. C. McClurg 4 Coz

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Copyright 1912 by A. C. Mcciurg q COY
loose-jointed, muscular, youngish
man, of sandy complexion and a Sc
rious, not to say sullen, cast of coun-
tenance. Moreover, his lean, sharp
featured face bore a number of marks
and abrasions, as if he had quite re-
Gently met with an accident Toms
own good-humored psysiognomy
more than once had acquired similar
high lights and shadows, resultant on
tumbles from sundry polo-ponies.
The man proceeded upon his way,
looking neither to the left nor the
right. He carried large laden bas-
ket-which he bore lightly-and in
second or two had passed into the
darkness again.
The hight, though, was now so pune
tuated by lightning flashes, that Tom
found no difficulty in marking his
progress along the road that led in
land. He chuckled to think how luck
was showing him her cards; Rudy,
doubtless, was still racking his
brains and sitting in town.
Without an instant's hesitation, or
a thought Of the storm which was
about to break, he set out after the
fellow. He neglected to observe even
the ordinary precaution of a glance
around. If he had, the nights adven-
ture might have terminated differ
emily.
He would have beheld, for one
thing, two other Of the motor-boat's
occupants, farther in the rear, walk.
ing in the same direction-two ath-
letic young men laden with bundles
OF various sizes and shapes. AS it
was, they on their part instantly de.
tected Toms interest in the first man,
and also the obvious fact that he had
started out to follow him.
They at once ceased their low
voiced conversation, and devoted all
their attention to Tom Phinney.
Thus the little procession advanced
in silence, on through the town and
into the open country.
AS soon as the last of the fringe
of houses was passed, the twain in
the rear quickened their pace, NOV
ing closer to Tom. The loose sand
underfoot, and the now almost con-
tinual crash and rumble of thunder
overhead, effectively drowned out all
other sounds
The sole warning Tom had that
matters were not progressing as sat-
isfactorily as he had fanced, came
with the first gust Of hot, dust-laden
wind. A sudden shout directly in his
rear startled him from his absorb
ton.
"Mr. Callis!" exploded a voice.
Here! Quick!"
Just as he pivoted round, there
came dazzling flash and a deafen.
ing Grassland then the deluge. He
received an instantaneous picture of
two stalwart figures tossing burden
Of packages to the ground, and then
in the ensuing blindness he was
seized by violent hands.
Now Tom was himself a man of
mighty sinew and well-versed not
only In the science Of defending him.
self, but of pushing war into the en-
emy's camp. For minute or two
he made brave fight; but what avail.
eth mans stOutness Of heart and
limb when he is beset by three indi-
viduals nearly, If not quite, so strong
as he?
The spirited struggle ended with
Tom lying fiat upon his back in the
middle of the road, his three antago-
nists piled Unfortunately on top Of
him and painting for breath, while
cataract of rain pounded upon the
just and the unjust alike. The wind
whistled and shrieked, the thunder
doomed and crashed and split the
night, and the lightning Illuminated
the whole scene with CHASTITY sem.
blance of daylight
At last the enc called Callis-the
sandy complexioned man-moved sud-
denly to his knees, but without re-
leasing his grip upon the wellnigh
drowned captive-a posture decidedly
uncomfortable for Tom, for the bony
knees bored into him cruelty.
Hold this duffer," Calls shouted
above the uproar, while | knot to-
gether couple of handkerchiefs. If
he makes a move bat him over the
head" Then came lower-voiced adj
dendum which Tom alone caught: Il
don't know but what we ought to do
it anyhow"
The other two shifted their posi-
tons SO adroitly that Tom could not
stir Another binding flash, and an
exclamation from the man kneeling
upon his arms.
by cripes, Mr.. Calls! It's the fell
low we passed in the sailboat!"
"The DEVIL" exclaimed Calls, who
seemed to be the one in authority.
THAT settles his hash. Well just
| take him to the old man."
Then Tom was unceremoniously
rolled over upon his face, his arms
jerked rudely back and held securely,
while his wrists were tied tightly to-
gether. Next he was lifted to his
feet, the powerful grasp on either arm