Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-14
CHAPTER YIN.
a Prisoner.

80 the bungalow Of the Grey
III stokes.
There were times when they
despsired Of his life, for the bullet
wound that creased his temple clear
70 the skull had become infected. but
ut last he commenced to mend and
after that his recovery was rapid, for
bis constitution was that Of untafnted
physical perfection.
The several searching parties return
ed one By one without a cIew to the
whereabouts OF Victoria Custer Barney
knew tD8G all was being done that
could be by bis friends, but he chung
tenaclously to the belief that the solu-
tioD 70 tbs battling mystery lay locked
ia the breast Of the strange giant who
YVES couvalescing upon the cot that
had been set up for him Ia Barney's
own room, Curtss had been RELOCATED
to other. apartments, and Barney stuck
close TO the bedside Of his patient day
and night
His principal reasons for so doing
were his wish to prevent the mans
escape and his desire to open some
method Of communication with the
stranger as rapidly as possible.
Already the wounded man had learn
ed 10 make known his simpler wants
in English, and the ease with which
he mastered whatever Barney attempt
co to teach him assured the American
OF the early success of his venture in
this direction.
CurtIss continued to view the stran-
ger with suspicion and i'll disguised
hostility. He was positive that the
man had murdered Victoria Custer,
and. failing TO persuade the others that
they should take justice into their own
hands and execute the prisoner forth
with, be now insisted that he be taken
to the nearest point at which ciyiiiza-
ton had established the machinery Of
Jaw and turned over to the authorities.
Barney, on the other hand, was 5ust
as firm in his determination TO wait
until the man had gained a sufficient
command OF English to enable them
90 give him a fair hearing and then
be governed accordingly.
lie could not forget that there had
existed some strange and inexplicable
bond between this handsome giant and
his sister nor that unquestionabIy the
man had saved her life when old
Rallies had sprung upon her. Barney
had loved and lost because he had
loved q girl beyond his reach, and so
his sympathies went out to this man
who, he was confident, loved his sister.
One Of the first things that Barney
tried TO Impress upon the man was
that be was a prisoner, and, lest he
should escape by night when Barney
slept Greystoke set Terkoz to watch
over him.
Eut M did not seem inclined TO
wish TO escape. His one desire appar-
emily was to master the strange tongue
OF his captors.
For two weeks after he was able TO
quit his bed he devoted his time to
learning English. He had the free
dom Of the ranch, coming and going
is he pleased, but his weapons were
kept from him, hidden in Lord Grey
stokes study, and Barney, sometimes
with others Of the household. always
accompanied him.
Ma was waiting for Nat-ul.
lie Was sure that she would come
back again to this cave that his new
acQuaintances called a bungalow Bar
hey was waiting for the man TO men
ton his sister.
One day Curtiss came upon M sit /
ting upon the veranda. TeTkoz lay at |
his feet. M was clothed in khaki |
an old suit Of Greystoke's being the
largest that could be found upon the |
place, and that was none too large.
As Curtiss approached the wolf /
hound turned his wicked little eyes
upon him, without moving his head /
from where 1t lay stretched upon his /
forepaws. and growled. M extended /
a booted foot across the beasts neck
to hold him in check.
The hounds show OF hostility an
gered Curtiss He hated the brute,
and be hated M as cordially-just
why he did not know.
He halted IN front Of the cave man.
Y want to ask you a question" he
said coldly. II have been wanting to
do SO for a long time, but there has
always been some one else around"
Nh nodded
What can M tell your he asked
You can tell me where Miss Gus
ter Isl replied Curtiss.
Miss Custer2 I do not know what
You mean / never heard Of Miss
Custer
you Her cried Curtiss, losing con-
troll OF himself. 'sHer Jacket was found
beneath your head in that foul den Of
yours"
M came slowly to his feet
What does lie mean?" he asked.
! do not understand all that people
say 70 me yet, bus know much from
Tie way Of saying, aud I do not Ike
Your way. Curtiss"
Answer my question: cried Cur
tss. Where Is Victoria Custer2 When
you speak to NE remember that I'm
Mr.. CurtissP'
What does lie mean7'' persisted
NJ And why should 1 call you mis-
serr do not like the sound Of your
Voice, Curtiss."
1t was at this fno4aeyt that Rarxaev |