Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-14

the gun at his hip.
Barney stepped between them.
What is the meaning Of this. Cur
tssf" he asked sharply.
Curtiss had been a warm friend for
years-a friend Of civilization and lux
ury and ease He had known Curtiss
under conditions which gave every
thing that Curtiss wished, and he had
seemed & fine fellow, but lately, since
he had been crossed and disappointed.
there had been sides to his character
that had never before presented them
selves.
Curtiss made no reply to Barney's
question. Instead he turned on his
heel and walked away.
NJ laid a hand upon the Americans
shoulder.
what does Tie mean. Custer2' he
asked.
Barney tried to explain
Il see" said M. and what is q
'misterT"
Again Barney did his best to explain.
who is Miss CusterY' NJ asked.
Barney looked at the man in surprise.
'Do you not know?" he asked.
why should II"
''She is my sister" said Barney. look
ing closely at the man.
''Your sister, questioned M. 81
did not know you had q sister, Custer"
you did not know my sister, Nat
ulT' cried Barney.
"Nat-ulg' exclaimed the man. NAT
nj your sister,"
Yes. I supposed that you knew it."
but you are not Aht, son Of Tina"
said M, "and Nat-ul had no other
brother"
81 am brother Of the girl you saved
from the lion In the garden yonder,"
said Barney. 'Is it she you know as
Nat-ul2"
'She was Nat-ul."
Where is sheT' cried Barney.
Il do not know" replied NJ. Il
thought that she was Il prisoner among
you. and I have been whiting here
quietly for her TO be brought back"
You saw her last" said Barney.
The time had come to have it out
with this man.
4'You saw her last She was In your
cave in the mountain We found her
Jacket there. and beside the spring this
dog lay senseIess- What became Of
herT1
Nh stood with an expression Of dun
incomprehensiOn upon his fine features.
It was as though he had received
stunning blow.
"She was there?7 he said at last in
q low voice. "She was there in my
cave, and I thought it was but a dream.
She has gone away, and for many days
l have remained here doing nothing.
while she roams amid the dangers of
the forest alone and unprotected.
"Unless''-his tone became more hope
ful-"she has found her way to our
own people among the caves beside the
restless sea. But how could she2 Not
even ], a man and a great hunter. can
even guess in what direction lies the
country Of my father. Ma. Perhaps
you can tell me-"
Barney shook his head. His disap-
pointment was great He had been
sure that M could cast some light
;
He wondered If the man were tell
ing him the truth. Doubts began to
assaiI him. 1t seemed scarcely credi-
BILE that Victoria could have been in
the fellows lair without he knowing
Of her presence. That she had been
there there seemed little or no doub+
The only other explanation was
that M had, as CuFtiss had suggested,
stolen her from the vicinity of the bun.
galow, killed her, and taken his spear
and her coat back 10 his cave with
him, but that did not account for the
presence of the hound or the beasts
evident loyalty to the man
Nu had turned from the veranda and
entered the bungalow. Barney follow
ed him. The man was hunting about
the house for something.
What are you looking for?" asked
the American.
MY spear" replied NJ.
what do you want of it?'
I'm going to find Nat-uI"
Barney laid a hand upon the others
arm.
mo-" he said. you are not going
away from here until we find my sis
ter. You are a prisoner Do you IN
derstand?"
The cave man drew himself to his full |
height There was a sheer upon his lip. |
WHO can prevent meF'
Barney drew his revolver,
This he said.
For a moment the man seemed /
plunged in thought He looked at the |
menacing gun, and then Off through |
the opening windows toward the dis
tant hills.
Il can't wait. for her sake he said. /
Don't make any attempt to escape"
warned Barney. You VIII be watch /
ed carefully Terkoz viii give the !
alarm, even If he should be unable TO
stop you. though as Il matter OF fact
he can stop you easily enough. Were
/ you I should hate 20 be stopped by |
Terkoz. He Is as savage as Hon
when aroused and almost as forrnida-
BILE"
Barney did not see the smile fhat
.ouched the cave mans lips.
hat