Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-11-25

now turn that chair, so the back will
be this way, and-sit down."
He knew what / meant, and there
was an ugly look in his eyes, but |
gave him no time for action gripped
him by the collar, twisting my
knuckles into his throat, and thrust
him down into the chair seat with
violence which caused the fellow to
gasp for breath.
you move when I speak," l said
threateningly. This is no boys play.
Now put your hands back-oh, farther
than that; cross them over each other.
Come, do you feel the steel! l do not
like you any too well, Raymond; |
know your treachery."
Il did nothing against you,' he pro-
tested, wriggling about to gain glimpse
of my face 81 had no authority
here"
"No, but you had influence, and used
it against me. I got the story straight
enough, and can guess the reason.
Sit back straighter; there, l reckon
that will hold"
1 stood off and looked at the two
of them, surprised at the ease with
which l had accomplished the result,
but entirely at sea as to my next move
ment. No plan, no hopeful possibility,
occurred to me; | could but stare va
cantly at my two prisoners, and about
at the walls of the room. Raymond
was damned back into one corner
farthest from the door, his face white.
every bit of nerve gone, and a red
tracted the flesh The fellow actually
looked pitiful he was SO completely
cowed. But Pickney was of a differ
ent kidney. He sat glazing .angrily
at me across the table, with face red
as the rising sun, straining at the
tough leather, his lips muttering in
coherent threats of vengeance.
"I'll get you yet, you ID rascal"
1 heard him growl, land stretch your
neck without any trial"
"And I'll gag that mouth of yours"
answered "and keep it still for
awhile Oh, yes, you'll open up, my
man! I know trick that will make
you bite the tighter I pull the cord.
How about you, lieutenant? Would
you like dose of the same incidence"
l stepped across to him. strip OF
cloth in my hand, but just at that in
slant the latch of the door ratified as
wi 7
had barely time in which to leap back
against the wall, hidden from view,
when the door opened inward. All |
saw was the glimpse of mans hand
and sleeve. The fellow must have
perceived nothing to alarm him, for
he merely held the door ajar.
"a lady to see the colonel he an
nounced briefly. Gust step in, miss"
l saw her advance two steps, and
then stop motionless, with half-sup-
pressed cry of surprise. The sentry
could not have heard the slight ex-
clamation, for he closed the door, the
latch clicking sharply. Her eyes
opened wide, staring first at the
colonel, then at Raymond, SO startled
at the discovery of their predicament
as to be daZed. | took a step forward,
and the swift light of recognition
leaped into her eyes, as she leaned
forward to scan me more closely in
the dim light of the single lamp. l
could not tell, l could not be sure, yet
l thought the expression on her face
was one of relief, of rejoicing.
"You!" she exclaimed, as though
not yet half convinced of the truth
"You here-and free! What-what
have you done to these men,"
l laughed lightly, so relieved by her
reception as to feel new man.
Merely turned the tables; this time
luck was on my side, and neither gen.