The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1916-03-23
smith, the hotel proprietor and the par

Uncle Billy did not sleep we'll that
night.
Neither did the object of all these
earnest endeavors Cranfords bedroom
was a circular affair. WlndoWless'
whose sole entrance and exit was
| trandoor some five feet beyond the
| reach of his fingers.
Briefly, an empty cistern in desert
ed farmhouse four or five miles inland.
Whenever he wanted drink OF wa
ter he had to grope for the pail
For nearly forty-eight hours, two
DAYS. he had been incarcerated in THIS
unusual prison. From the fight in the
road down to this very hour not a
question had been asked. He had not
even seen his captors since night be-
fore last
The candle they had left him had
gone out in sputter of wax.
Three matches left. He fumbled
them undecidedly.
Surely they would return to renew
his meager larder At length he could
resist the temptation no longer. lie
struck match and found that it was
almost g. Ere the glow of the match
died he heard the putter OF an auto
mobile. 1t paused.
His heart beat quickly He tried to
count the minutes between the death
of that noise aud the birth OF another
: Came the mut1ied closing of a Spor.
They had come ut last.
This affair was Diana's, and never
should these rascals learn anything
from him. He knew nothing: he would
not have to lie or dodge or evade. lie
would tell them frankly that they were
wasting their time and let it go al
that.
The trapdoor opened, and a ladder
=. came slithering down.
Come up" said voice.
Crawford climbed out of the clster1
and stood blinking i'll the light OF
detached automobile lamp.
For awhile he remained at the edg'
of the cistern waiting till MS daf'
:. smothered eyes resumed their func
:, tons. Then he saw Hanchett and Der
', nison and. in the gloom OF corner
y. a third man.
=. Without thinking of the tinge c
melodrama in the act. CRAWFORD ME
- his pipe ana began smoking lie ia
- not dared to smoke i'll the clstern; u
y. would have suffocated. All, but tn
smoke tasted good.
:, We'll, gentlemen?' he said quietly
, Uanchett smiled
= DUSTY. cobwebbed and disheyele
W Crawford presented really come pl
~ ture and the sang froid with Whl{
he lighted his pipe made hlm lrlesls
ib(a to Hanchetts every ready appl
ciotjon 6 the ludicrous.
- "Cranfora, we shan't waste tin
=. beating about the bush. 1t doesl
IN mn,ter how or when you learned y
want what you took from iidgin
~ land"
what was ii I tQok;'
I,anchett smiled again. you Cal
M mass Your hand up like that. Cran1o1
we do not wish you injury or lnc(
'se venieuce, Clever idea OF yours to ma
~ that telegram delayed We found
''e out, however,
Crawford held his surprise in check
~, W. What a woman Not Il detail b
1,,a escaped her. Il dare say by TINS u
wv you've been through my belongings
one so'
the hotel
eve have" frankly. And fol-
ie. nothing: else your guide would be
~, leasing YOU
.n "Do YOU want the TRUTH
nu' LAS quickly as you can give it,
The prisoner smoked for mlhut
'ver Two, well, then. you've had all
i've trouble for nothing. maven
sns. SLIGHTEST idea what is going on v
H. it is you're trying to smuSgle ac'
hat 10 this is added the fact that sh
iris not tell you if l did. ! realize, IN
gin, parlance of your particular World
ere- are out to do me for the crutches
had smead rose and limped into the |
died "Cranford, give them up. Other'
the Oh my word you'll stay here till
lie crack of DOOM
and Crawford puffed and let the 81
ruts drift up into his nostrils.
1--WE haven't got all night
Jack you've got just as much time
many have"
long "Give him his bread and fill III
pail." said Smead. another wv
four hours will bring him to reaso
= ~ ~ "Would you object if washe'
Tue face and hands first? Water Is l
ri1in- sary inside, of course, but IA
nsn' triae more comfortable Win
Vnlch handfuls on the outside
iiere "Get your pail" said Hanchett'
these Crawford went down the ladde
fetched the pail.
gone "Dennison, l appoint you
AND mede," declared Hanchett loftlIy'
whats the matter with Fagln'
lex TO "Well, then, Fagin, OH with y
peeh the we'll"
Fagin returned presently an
come down the pail before Crawford.
i've he That's right coddle him. 81
Smead.
letect- II understand your point OF