The Elbert County tribune., 1913-02-14
sal and high. do you hear mer Lei

sal and high. DO you hear me? Let
me go!"
Mr.. Mortimer" said George. with
out turning his head or letting his
eye waver. keep him back. Thanks"
George stepped over the threshold.
Now gentlemen. shall shoot the
first man who makes a movement
And Ryanne, who knew something
about George. saw that he meant Just
what he said. STEADY. every one"
he said. my friend George here can't
shoot; but that kind OF man is dead
lest with pistol. surrender"
The brother was struggling. THE
telephonel The telephone! demand
to call the police. This is accessory
to the fact! tell you. let me go!"
"Mr. Wadsworth." replied George,
III you do not be still and let me run
this affair. I'll throw the pistols to the
! floor. and your brother and his friends
may do as they bally please. Now,
step back and be quiet Stop!" to Ry-
anne, whose hand was reaching out
toward the table.
Don't shoot, Percival: / want only
final glass OF wine" Ryanne calmly
took the slender stem Of the glass be-
tween his fingers, lifted 1t and drank.
He set 1t down empty. From his out
side pocket he drew handkerchief
and delicately dried his lips. He
alone of his confederates had life. 1t
was because he alone understood.
Prison wasn't staring him In the face.
just yet. well, Arthur, old top. how
goes It? Nearly got your money-bags.
didn't we? And we surely would have
but for this delicious vintage"
Damn you and your winel" roared
the Major. shaking with rage. This
adventure had been no Joke to him. no
craving, for excitement. He wanted
the gold, the gold. With what would
have been his share he could have
gambled at Monte Carlo and Ostend
till the end of his days. For the first
time he saw long, black bars OF iron
running up and down window. And
all for bottle of wine!
Damn away. old sport!" Ryanne
reached for the bottle and filed his
glass again. "Percival. I'm blamed
sorry about that olive-tree of yours"
you can see that my Intentions in
regard to refunding that hundred
pounds were strictly honorable. Now,
what's on the ticket?"
II suppose your luggage is outside
in the automobiles"
"Right-O!"
"Well, / need not explain my rea-
sons; you will understand them; but
l am going to give you all two hours
time. Then I shall notify the police.
You will have to take your chance
after that time"
The circling faces frightened per-
ceptibly. Two hours-that would car
ry them far into Jersey.
Accepted with thanks" said Ry-
anne
"I refuse to permit I'll" yelled the
brother. "Mr. Jones. you will rue this
nights work. l shall see that the law
looks into your actions. This is fell
ony. demand to be allowed to tele-
phone"
"Percival. for heavens sake. let
him!" cried Ryanne YEARLY. Let
him shout: 1t will soften his voice.
He will hurt nobody. The wires were
cut hours ago"
Mortimer felt the tense muscles in
his grasp relax. Arthur Wadsworth
grew limp and reeled against the jamb
Of the door.
you had better start at once"
George advised. "You three first"
with nod toward Wallace (his bull
bous nose now lavender In hue). the
butler and the first-man. Forward
march, front door. Go on!"
What about met" asked Ryanne.
in a moment" George could not
| but admire the man, rascal though he
was. There was pang of regret in
his heart as the thought came and
went swiftly: what a comrade this
man would have made under different
circumstances! Too late! Haiti" he
cried. The trio marching toward the
door came to a stop. their heads
turned inquiringly. Here, Mr.. Nor
timer; take one Of these guns and
cover the Major. He's the one
doubt" Then George followed the
others into the hall and ironically
bade them God-speed as he opened
the door for them, They went out
stupidly; the wine had dulled them.
George Immediately returned to the
library.
Neither Fortune nor her mother had
stirred In all this time. A quality of
hypnotism held them in bondage. The
mother could not lower her glance
and the daughter would not II there
was light OF triumph in Fortunes
eyes. It was unconsciously there. And
no one will know the full bitterness
that shone from the mothers. She
could have screamed with fury: she
could have rent her clothes. torn her