Arizona state miner., 1926-03-20
CHAPTER III-Continued

T e'PlstoI that man, if you must" )"
called Murray; "but use your cut
Iasses, if possible"
"Neen," said Peter again. "We
don't fight"
'We might as we'll be killed now as
let them carry off Bob," said my ia
ther with a sob in his voice.
"Neen," said Peter a third time.
'Deadt, you stay deadt. Perhaps Bob
gets away from them some time. Bet
ter he be with Murray than he be
deadt"
"Intelligently logical" commented
Murray 81 commend the sentiment
TO you, Nephew Robert"
Peters little eyes glinted toward
him.
81 go with Bob" he said
"No, no." denied Murray quickly.
''You were not invited, friend Peter
"If L don't go, Robert don't 60" re-
piled Peter "Andt you don't go.
Perhaps 1 don't kill you, but If there
Is shooting you don't get away. ia !"
Murray contemplated this speech.
''Your proposition then," he said, ''is
that you insist upon sharing my
nephew's new career or else will en-
deavor to secure the deaths Of all of
us, including his and your Own?"
"Ja!" answered Peter
|'You may come" decided my great
uncle. "YOur muscles should prove
useful. John, fancy we shall require
triple bonds on this prisoner"
AYE, aye, SIR" assented Silver.
"We ha' plenty O. stout manila. One
O. you lads run back and get those
coils l left by the stove. That's the
proper spirit, Darby. Always willin'.
You'll make rare hand, you will.
And how about maxim fast that gen.
tleman as is gOin' to stay behind, cap
tain2"
Murray looked at my father, and
from him to me-
"Have you recOnclled yourselves to
what l may justly style the inevi-
table?' he inquired suavely.
My father collapsed into his chair
with a groan
'If you will not suffer the boy to
be hurt!' he exclaimed.
'A1y word Of honor to that" re-
turned my great-uncle very seriously.
ellis comfort and safety rank ahead
OF my own, OrmerOd, for I anticipate
that he Is to achieve all those tri-
umphs which fate denied me. Tis
true | hope to sample them briefly,
but" and for the first time a shadow
clouded his FACET am, as you
doubtless know, in my sixty-fourth
year, and a tickle Providence regard
ing the divinity of which l am in
cllned to share the skepticism of the
French philosophers, is scarce likely
TO indulge me in very prolonged ex-
tension of life's span. Nor indeed
would | have it otherwise l feel no
inclination for the senility of extreme
age. Do you submit?"
My father bent his head.
|'Yes-fOr his sake-yOu! Robert,
no violence. We are in a coil we can
not escape for the present; but rest
assured l will do everything l can to
secure your release"
My great-uncle mOtioned Silver for
ward.
snake Master Ormerod as comfort
able as possible, john" he instructed
eyes, tie him In his chair. OrmerOd
accept my advice. and leave well
enough alone. Within O year, pOssi
biy-twO, at most-the boy will be
safe and advanced in fortune beyond
your widest dreams"
"Let me have him back as he is
tits all ask" groaned my father
Murray took snuff.
"a highly correct attitude, SIR" he
remarked "Have you more to say
Very well, John; you may affix the
gag. No, not that gunnysacking. Here
is siIken kerchief will do. And now
friend Peter. we turn to you-anC
you, Nephew Robert l would these
precautions were unnecessary. Let u!
trust your inclinatiOns will become
more friendly toward me upon closer
acquaintance"