The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-05-10
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

shut down on the windpipe and he
writhed under that agony, summoning
all his courage, all his will to break
free, to outlast that strangling pres
sure. But he could not do it. He went
numb; his brain clouded. He lay still
and then after time, sweet air poured
again into his lungs.
That was all of which he was aware
for a long interval: air, bathing his
tortured chest. Air, which had been
denied him by the strangling grip of a
mans hand.
That thought burned away the haze
which enveloped him and he started
to throw himself over, to rise, to be
up and fighting. But he found that
he was unable to move.
His hands were stretched out above
his head; harsh bond held each wrist
helpless. He tried to kick and failed.
His feet were locked together and held
there as by great weight.
A distinct odor pervaded the room.
He groaned and strained again at his
bonds.
Footsteps, then, came across the floor
and Nicholas Brandon looked down at
him in the dim light, whisky bottle
in his hand, swaying a bit on I'M
steady feet.
"So" he grunted and laughed. $50
you fell for it So you followed your
blessed Dawn, eh?" He went off into
a tantrum Of crazy laughter.
Ben twisted slowly against his bonds
and discovered that the rope which
bound him was wet. He could no more
free himself without aid than he could
hope to fly.
st workedl' Brandon cried. cd,
how it worked! DAWN you yelled
like fool, standing outside there.
DAWN And then stepped into
my trap, eh?"
He sat heavily in chair.
tits all worked, even to the weather!
You came alone. It's starting to snow.
Nobody's nearer than the Hoot Owl
and the smoke of a burning camp
wouldn't be seen twenty rods day
like this"
He leered.
Smoke of a burning camp! Ben's
racing thoughts connected that idea
with the odor which filled the room.
His fingers felt the strands of
hemp that stretched from his wrists
to the posts Of hunks against the wall.
Surely, the rope had been soaked in
Kerosene. So it was Brandon's intent
to leave him tied helpless, to fire the
building. Then his mind Gen.
tered on thwarting the scheme of this
ruthless man gone wholly mad. {.
yeah. 1t worked so far" he
replied and grinned.
Brandon snorted in contempt.
$50 far, yes; and on to the end, it'll
work. You're tied fast, aren't your
leaning low so Ben could see the cruel
lights in his eyes. You're tied hand
and foot! I'll touch the camp off.
You'll roast because this old
campll burn like HI itself! They'll
find your bones here; they'll find an
empty whisky bottle. That's all they'll
find"
Brandon had schemed competently:
no detail which would implicate him
seemed to have been overlooked. Still,
fear did not manifest itself in El-
liott's heart; only contempt was there
for man so merciless. Contempt and
a stout determination to stall for time.
You're smart, Brandon" he said.
''I'll admit that. The plans so good
I'm surprised that you overlooked a
bet"
The other turned sharply.
"A bet?" he cursed derisively.
"What ID you mean, a bet?'
"A little thing. a thing almost any
body might overlook. But it's bound
to come to light if l don't show up,
and one murder charges as good as an
other. I'm talking about a letter Don
Stuart wrote me just before he died"
Its lie! Whatever he wrote was
a lie!" Brandon's cry was shrilL He
was drunken. lying bum!"
(which, even if true. wouldn't matter
so much, now. Once, it would have.
A few weeks ago, 1t might have. But
not now. Things have changed
in the lineup country; people have
changed. There are dozens who'd
jump at the chance to make trouble
for you, now. Brandon. and"
"Lies can't hurt me, you fool" Bran
don cried but his teeth ratified. "Plot-
ting and scheming, were you, to drag
that old case up and try to turn it
against me? And basing it all on the
death-bed rawlings Of"
"But McManus isn't deadl" Ben
cried, crowding all the conviction and
triumph he could summon into his tome
playing his bunch to the utmost Hes
alive and we've located him"-lying
himself. now, in an attempt to beat the
truth from Brandon. Hes on his way
back and what he'll have to tell,
coupled with what old Don had the
courage to put down In his own writ
ing"
stuart didn't knowi He knew
nothing, tell you'll He wasn't even
horof Ha fanL Eovann'e Vx.,rd fo. ~