The Detroit times., 1915-11-22
CHAPTER Xiv.
Across Country

Early next morning, out or thai
| painless mire. strobe back the Brute
picking his perilous way with the
animal, and guiding--in fact. bearing
on his shoulders half the time-the
luckless Ponto. That individual, his
ugliness enhanced by the clotted
blood that dressed his disheveled
hair, and decorated his countenance
was still dazed He had vague rec
objections as 10 what had happened
He knew that at the command OF
Hernandez, his side partner IN
crime. ne had plunged once more
into the deadly morass for the pur.
pose OF finishing by violence the
deed that had commenced In Gun
ming. He had followed the Brute
he remembered that And Herman
dez-had he followed or behind
Had his partner come behind-or
had he gone on alone?
That was a matter to be consid
ered-to be dealt with. His mind
was slow. What else had happen
ed He had struck down and killed
Neal Hardin-that much was Ger
tain-he had done it with a blud
geon. So far. so good
And what Of that wildcat OF an
heiress-the American girl? What
OF her?
He had struck at her as she sank
into the struck al heI
with a knife His mind was crop
ing after details What else? He
had failed TO reach her Then what
Yes. he knew now. He was a knife
thrower. and a good one. He tried
almost In vain-to recall that
scene.
Had he thrown the knife?
lnstinctively ne felt-fum bled-
about his waist. The sheath was
there; but the knife was gone He
remembered now. He must have
thrown the knife And II he threw
the knife. then he had killed tho
girl. At any rate he must have hi
her He couldn't miss
He dozed of into satisfaction.
He woke with a jolt. 1t was a
heavy Jolt When his eyes opened
he was on the ground. supine. He
started to leap TO his feet. ther
sank back again, heavy with the
pain OF his wound He drew hi:
arm across his forehead. When II
came away his forearm and hii
band were dark -halt.driet
blood. II maddened hlm-for nov
he understood how the JOLT hac
come. The Brute had thrown him
violently to the ground from the
height OF those massive shoulders
He sprang TO his feet and funs
himself--a thing all feet and clutch
ing hands and teeth--at the huge
bulk OF the Brute. He bit and tore
and cufred the big man-animal. And
the Brute was passive. covering.
You beast" shrieked Ponto
drop me again and I'll knife you
I'll have your blood.
A laugh behind him startled him
and brought him to his senses. He
turned swiftly, feeling for his knife
the knife that wasn't there.
There was another laugh-tht
laugh OF HIS side partner. Herman
dez. The laugh was followed by
something more sinister scowl
The scowl was followed by some
thing more suggestive kick.
Fool" said Hernandez. address
ing Ponto.
Ponto changed his demeanor. He
drew himself up 10 his squatty
height and folded HIS arms.
abb" he exclaimed, and you
treat me to this-you who saw me
kill them BOTH II was I-Ponto-
who did this thing"
Then he suddenly remembered
Hernandez had not followed He
had let Ponto go alone. lie cleneh-
ed his hands threatenlngiy.
"Yoc." he shrieked. you played
me false You crept back when i
didn't look. You let me go alone
alone into that hell What do you
call that? ,"
Hernandez lowered over him 81
call II what ! please" he said, his
eyes burning into Ponto's. "and do
what please. I am master What
! say goes. And you will DO as
saw Won understand"
I'VE are partners" mumbled pom
! to.
cWhen We divide the spoils. re
turned Hernandez, with the empha
sis on the words when" and "di
vide" then we shall he partners
For .he present do az ! say"