The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-12-09
CHAPTER VIII.
TRAPPED.

twice into his face, hurting him back
against the tOnneau. Yet they were
from his seat to help, while Franzen
chung to the girl. Swigert's arms
jerked me back, someone kicked me
savageIy in the side, and then I felt
the muzzle of u revolver pressed against
my cheek. Dark as it was | could
see a cash across Brandt's chin from
which blood dripped.
~ marked you anyway" [ ieered
up at him, unable to move, "you
brute"
you'll find out what I am soon
enough now" he answered, painting
slightly from exertion. "That blow
won't make things any easier for you.
l pay my debts, Monsieur. Come on
now, unless you prefer to be shot"
l got to my feet slowly, but not at
all frightened by his threat.
There are too many of you for
me-" l acknowledged, rubbing my
knuckles, and endeavoring to dis
tinguish the presence of the girl,
but am not afraid of your shoot
ing
Well, partly that; rather, however,
there would be nothing for you to
gain-I am worth more to you alive"
"You would be as valuable wounded "
"Yet you will not risk it. Where
is Miss Probyn ?'
"Out of your way. But this is
enough talk until we are inside. No
one is going to injure the girl if she
viii behave herself. That you, Fran
zen? Safe, hey All right, now 1
guess the two of us can handle this
French cockerel You stay with the
car, Eisenbarth. Come, Lieutenant,
you may as well go along quietly, I'M
less YOU enjoy being hurt.
The basement door had been left
I, open, and between them l was showed
7 into the dark passage beyond. Some
one closed and locked the outer bar
rier and then switched on an electric
light, revealing a flight of stairs:
Realizing my inability to resist, and
more impressed now with the fact
that Helen Probyn was also being
held prisoner in this house, than with
my own danger, / obeyed instructions
without word, and assembled to the
second story. The great hall we ira
versed, as well as the rooms into which
I was ushered, gave evidence that this
was a private home, the residence of
someone possessing both wealth and
refinement. The rugs on the floor,
the furniture draped in denim, the choice
pictures on the walls, revealed IN the
dim light, all combined to make this
evident. The double shades at the
windows were drawn Closely, anu
Brandt turned on sufficient light so l
could perceive something of my sur
roundings. We came to halt in
what was apparently a music room,
as it contained a grand piano as well
as harp, and I was thrust down into
a chair Brandt Inuttered some words
of instruction to the others in German,
and they disappeared, leaving us
alone together, the captain remaining
between me and the door. He did
not speak, although l noticed his
right hand was hidden in his pocket,
and his eyes watched me closely.
For some moments / also remained
silent, staring about the room, but the
silence became oppressive, and my
curiosity overcame my contempt.
'sI presume / am to consider my
self a prisoner"
sFor the present-yes. How long
that state of affairs may continue will
depend entirely upon yourself"
s'You mean when / am prepared to
reveal the secrets entrusted TO me
bv nv government ?"
u. I11.-od v,,YrSino Z no ont on his chin