Stumpy levelled the weapon at my head. I could readily see that the battle of words was at an end. Action

ellow," he remarked, with a

ly as I could recognizing the fact that no

h. In the first place,

ood by saying I did not have it, nor did I inte

said?" continued St

sn't valuable," I returned, more

just the same, I want

now, and no mistake.

have been useless to call for help,

bit of deception. I put my hand in my

u want?" I asked

returned eagerly. "

e me a chance of attacking him, I did as requested. It fell at

ke me," he said sharply. "I know a thing o

mly, though secretly exultant th

u had no business to, and now you

you goin

ne to make many mistakes. Years ago I

e well, didn't you?" I i

o questions and I'll tell you no l

ow yo

t? So did lots o

as Weaver and Mr. Aaron Woodward," I con

ckon you've been reading that paper of Nick's putty c

it-to deliver it

pale in spite of the dirt that covered his fac

much, you do. I suppose you read

aybe I didn't;

ful of it. Maybe I'd bet

her moment the deception I had p

ould not extract the letter he supposed it contained with

evidently in his power. If I cou

gone down-was beyond. A dash and I would be outside. Still the tramp stood

be too late. John Stumpy was fumbling in the envelo

m, knocking him completely off his feet

e and the pistol, he caught me by the foot, and i

was no match for this burly man. Turn and twist all I could, he h

contact with the lantern and upset it,

iny light from the corner lit up the pl

on fire!" I cr

did it," rep

atter of fact, it may be as well to state tha

r fault, and you've g

throat, squeezing it so tightly that I wa

t up!"

lights danced before my eyes. I protested against this proceedin

or his future welfare. In fact, he, no doubt, imagined I knew far more than I

d springing up he brought his heel

It was as if a sharp, blinding pain had stung m

ow. Certainly it could not have been a very lo

he barrels that were stored in the tool house, and

ly scorched, and no sooner had I opened my e

feet. I was so weak I could hardly stand, and m

und. There was the window tightly c

w seemed to fill my lungs, to where I knew the d

st from my parched lips.

ew myself against the door. Once, an

called at the

me hotter and hotter. The roof had now caught, an

h a brief prayer to God for help in my dire

here was a creaking, a sharp crac

struck me! I stumbled out into the clearing and

I had been overcome. I could no longer stand