Beadle's Dime Library, No. 240 — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

_ ee sessed a rigidity, which together with the fact that the point was almost like a cambric needle, was sufficient for her to bury it to its full depth into almost anything she might choose to strike. She stopped a few feet in front of the large farmer-looking fellow, and, fixing her burning eyes on him and raising the weapon above her head, said: ‘‘T am Queen of the Cannibal Islands; fall down and worship me,” “‘T sball not,’ replied Orson Oxx, looking her steadily in the countenance; “for I am King of the Cannibal Islands.” “Then you have come here to dethrone me?” “‘T have; your reign is ended; you must do homage to me.” “Never! Iam queen and you shall die!” She made such a sudden, cat-like spring that the alarmed Jake Calkins shouted, believing his friend was doomed, beyond all possibility of escape. But, as the delicate arm of the lady de- scended, or started to descend, Orson Oxx shot out his left hand and caught ber by the wrist ef the one which grasped the weapon, The grip was as immovable as if it were a vise of iron. With a cry of anger, the poor woman at- tempted to change the weapon to the other hand, but this required some minutes, as it necessitated the unwinding of the more flexible portion of the wire from around her fingers. The farmer bad dropped his cane and caught the left hand of the lady in his right, so that she was held inextricably fast. Then he brought her palms together and with his single grasp spanned both wrists. Thus be held her firmly, with one hand only, leaving tbe other free to uve as he saw fit. ‘* By Jewhilakens! that was well done—” “* Shut-up / don’t speak a word!” Or:on Oxx all this time kept his eyes fixed upon those of the baffled woman. He concentrated his vision directly on her, as if he were Van Amburg of the olden time, subduing wild beasts by the power of his eye alone. In a sepulchral voice he said: “T am King of the Cannibal Islands! you must go with me or I will kill you!” The lady trembled a minute, as if trying to brave it out and then succumbed. ‘You are my king; [am no longer queen; I will go with you.” He unloosed her hands and still looking sharply at her, said: ‘‘Give me your scepter.” She carefully unwound the wire from her hand and extended it to him without a word. He shoved the briery thing into his pocket and commanded: ‘Now, take my arm and accompany me to the palace.” She meekly shoved her hand beneath his elbow and awaited his pleasure, When Jake Calkins saw them moving off, be called out: ““Mr, Oxx, I know you'll excuse me; I ain’t in the suit ’d like to wear when I go to the palace; I'll waist bere for you.” Ani leaving him where he was standing, Orson Oxx walked back to the asylum with Hannah Hahlo supported upon bis arm. A few minutes later, she was passed over to the pleased superintendent, who tendered a re- ward of fifty dollars to the sagacious farmer that brought in the lady. And the sagacious farmer did not refuse the reward. CHAPTER XLVI. MAKING READY FOR THE COLLISION. WHEN Orson Oxx returned from handing over the unfortunate Miss Hahlo to the super- intendent of the asylum, he was surprised to find that Jake Calkins had been joined by an- other party. The detective was pleased to recognize in this new arrival his young friend, the engineer and affianced of Ethel Langdon. Russell was expecting and longing for the clear bead and strong arm of the Man of Iron. From what Jake Calkins bad told him, he recognized the old farmer as the one he was looking for. The two shook hands very cordially, and a few words explaiued everything. Brayton Russell, as we have already stated, did not reach the asylum until after the flight of his beloved. He had spent the bours since then in hunting for her, but with a discouraging want of suc cess, Now he was told that she was within a third ofa mile of the spot where they stood, and had been there since very early that morning. He insisted that they should go thither at once. “TI wish you would,” remarked Jake Cal- kins, ‘“‘for if you don’t I’ve got to sneak around ip the woods until dark.” ““My dear boy,” said Oxx, laying bis hand on the arm of the impetuous lover, and speak- ing in his most impressive manner, *‘ promise to follow my advice in this matter.” Brayton looked sharply at him, and hesi- tated. ‘‘- You must, or I shall withdraw.” “T hate to do so, but I'll give you my pledge.” ‘‘You and I have seen enough to know that the superintendent of the asylum is using every effort to recover Miss Langdon.” ‘* Most certainly.” ‘This shows that he is anxious to secure her.” ‘‘Of course, for The Demon pays him well for it.” “As the case stands, the law is against us.” “ How so?” ‘“Miss Langdon has been regularly com- mitted to the asylum for the insane, from which she can only be brought legally by a writ of juabeas corpus.” ‘‘But it will take us an indefinite time to rocure that.” “ And a longer period would be occupied in the hearing of testimony before the referee.” “‘ And you wish to take her back to the asy- lum, and await the tedious legal process, which aiter all may fail! Never!” “Not atall, but I want to impress vpon your hot brain acold fact or two, In the first place, if you walk down to the house of John Burrage and find Miss Langdon there, as you undoubt- edly will, you will be resolved never to yield her up to any one to be taken back to the in- stitution from which sbe has fled.” ‘You may safely stake your life on that.” “And you can stake your life on the fact that you will make a disastrous failure; not ovly that, but you will involve yourself in most serious trouble,” “You will place yourself beside your lady- love in the style of the knights of the olden time, and drawing your pistol, proclaim your- self ber champion, ready to defend her to the last.” SSX‘ will,” “You will be one man against six or eight, or a dozen; they will also have pistols, and they will be likely to do some shooting in which you will serve as target.” ‘IT would be acoward to shrink from taking that risk for the sake of such a royal lady as Ethel.” “So you would, were it necessary; but, suppose you were not harmed; there you will be in the little farm house, and how are you going to get away? It is quite a long walk to the railroad station, and if you should attempt it, you would be enmeshed by the officers of the law before you could reach the main high- way.” The chivalrous Brayton was silent for a minute, He saw that as he had promised, the detec- tive bad given some facts that were exceed- ingly cold to one of his ardent temperament. ‘Tt is all very fine,” added Oxx, ‘‘to fancy what daring deeds we are going to perform in defense of some fair one who is in no danger, but that man is wise who looks to the probable issue which is always the opposite of what his fancy pictures.” “Then you propose that we should allow them to take Ethel back to the asylum?’ **T have told you that I did not.” ‘What is your proposition?’ “When you left mein Ardville last night, the understanding was that you were to de- pend upon legal means to secure her liberty, A Cool Head. - ee ; i i ’ : ' but since that means is not so ready as you | hoped I am willing to do my utmost to help free her, depending upon the chance of making it right with the outraged majesty of the law afterward.” ** But tell me how.” “This cannot be done by main force, but we must use strategy.” “In what way?’ | 23 — “We must have a carriage anda span of fast horses st command; we must place the lady within the vehicle and hurry her out of the county or State if necessary.” ‘What do we gain by that?” “During the time necessary to secure her requisition, we sball be able to establish her soundness of mind,” Brayton Russell’s eyes sparkled at the pros- pect the sharp adventure promised. ‘‘T incline to your suggestion, Oxx.” “Tt is a good one; we will bave the carriage ready, with two good horses and a driver; we will place Ethel inside, with you and me, and then go like mad for some point they won't suspect. Before they can follow and trace us, we will have Ethel out of the State altogeth- er.” “I'd like to be the driver of that establish- ment,’’ said Jake Calkins; “ it would suit me.” ** Are you familiar with this country?’ asked Russell, ‘Thoroughly so; I have spent a good many months in roaming over the neighborhood for miles around and can find iny way anywhere within twenty miles, on the darkest night you ever saw,” Unfortunately Orson Oxx and Brayton Rus- re believed this assertion of the colossal falsi- er. ‘*Tt will be hard work to find such a carriage as we want,” said Russell, ‘‘ but 1 will try it.” * Bring it to the edge of the wood, within sight of the gate which opens into the lane of Jobn Burrage; but don’t come until the sun goes down, for we must make this flight in the darkness,” “While Mr. Russell is off hunting for the carriage,” said Jake, ‘* Mr. Oxx can slip down to the kouse and get these trowsers for me.” ‘It shall be done,” replied the kind hearted Man of Iron, “ho set out at once for the farm- house, while Brayton Russell began bis hunt for a closed carriage and a swift span of horses. CHAPTER XLVII. DR. BELL BECOMES DISCOURAGED. THE hours passed drearily to Ethel Langdon, who sat in the little drawing-room of the house in which sbe bud found shelter. She wondered why Hannab or Calkins did not return, and could not rid herself of a dread that something terrible had happened, Noon came and passed, and notbing startling occurred, But shortly after that hour events began with a rush and kept on a jump to the end. She had finished a scanty dinner, when the dog outside uttered a growl, and there come a faint knock on the door, which was unlocked. Without waiting for an answer, the one who aes shoved the door inward and stepped inside. Ethel attempted to reach the drawing room, but she had not time. She turned about and stood face to face with Dr. Adonijah Bell, one of her abductors! The conning visitcr had kept the bnilding under surveillance, until be saw Mr, Burrage come forth and disappear down the road. He kuew that Calkins bad not returned after his fright received from Miss Hablo. Consequently there were no men in the house, and it would be a safe time to arrest the young lady. He approached the building by a circuitous route, hoping to escape being seen hy those within, then slipped round to the front, where he entered with so little preliminary warning | that he came directly upon Ethel, The doctor smiled with exultation. ‘‘Good-afternoon, Miss Langdon,” be eaid, in ’ his most impressive style, as he helped himself toa chair; “I hope I find you well, althoughI can bardly expect you are glad to see me,” Ethel, with rare self-command, bowed and seated herself. There was a slight flush on her face as she answered: “1 must admit that it is uo pleasure to find myself in the presence of 4 ruffianly villain at any time,” “Tut, tut,” whispered Mrs. Burrage, alarmed to hear such scorching pereonalities; ‘* be care- ful, please.” ‘*‘ You are disposed to be rather severe, but much must be forgiven in one who is non com- ment s,” ‘** Could such a plea be made in your behalf, | it would be a credit to humanity.” ** Will you be kind enough to put on your ‘e * 4 + NSN " comicboo =~ sae : fom “? — Pate |