Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-07-03
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was showing him her cards; Ruddy.
doubtless. was still racking his
brains and stifiing 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 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. AZ 1t
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
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 fancied. came
with the first gust of hot. dust-laden
wind. A sudden shout directly in his
rear startled him from his absorp-
ton.
"Mr. Callisl" exploded a voice.
Here! Quick!"
Just as he pivoted round, there
came a dazzling flash and deafen-
ing Grassland then the deluge. He
received an instantaneous picture OF
two stalwart figures tossing a 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 a minute or two
he made a brave fight: but what avail.
eth a mans stoutness of heart and
limb when he is beset by three indi-
viduals nearly, II 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 antGso-
nists piled Unfortunately on top OF
him and painting for breath. while a
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
blance of daylight
At last the one called Callis-the
sandy-complexioned man-moved sud.
denly to his knees, but without re-
leasing his grip upon the well-nigh
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 a couple of handkerchiefs. II
he makes a move bat him over the
head" Then came a lower-voiced ad-
dendum which Tom alone caught: Il
don't know but what we ought to do
it anyhow"
The other, two shifted their posi-
tions SO adroitly that Tom could not
stir Another binding fash. and an
exclamation from the man kneeling
upon his arms.
by cripes, Mr.. Calls! It's the fel-
| L., In
THE devil!" exclaimed Calls. who
THAT settles his hash. Well just
take him to the old man."
Then Tom was unceremoniously
rolled over upon his face, his arms
terked 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
never relaxing in the slightest degree.
| and was so held while third hand
kerchief was found over his eyes.
He did not submit tamely to these
indignities. but as his opposition was
confined to angry curses and threats,
1t was worse than futile. He sputtered
and fumed and swore until Calls in
terrupted him.
IF you don't cut that out" he an
nounced with an air of fnality, I'll
gag you"
And Tom perforce fell silent,
though he continued to seethe and
rage inwardly.
March. you" ordered Callis's curt
voice, the command being emphasized
by a vigorous push that sent him
stumbling helplessly forward. The
firm hands held him, however. and he
moved through the tempest and the
night under their guiding impulse.
To Tom the adventure was taking