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The girl hoped to see him go, but he made no move to do so. "You live alone with your brother?" he queried, suddenly. "Most of the time." "Victory, did ye ever hear Rance speak of Perry Jounce?" The man leered at her in a way that sent a chill over her. "Never." "No? Wal, he didn't like me. I reckin I'll hev a kiss afore I go, anyhow." He began to move toward her.
He told all around that he was a cavalry veteran of the war, and wanted to get a horse to ride that would stir up his patriotic instincts and his liver, and all his insides, and a real kind man steered dad to a livery stable, and I knew by the way the natives winked at each other that they were going to let him have a horse that would jounce him all right.
"Sanch's going to be in it, I know, for I heard Ben say, 'Hold him still; he wont bite," whispered Sam, longing to "jounce" up and down, so great was his satisfaction at the prospect, for the dog was considered the star of the company. "I hope Bab will do something else, she is so funny. Wasn't her dress elegant?" said Sally Folsom, burning to wear a long silk gown and a feather in her hair.
"Hurrah!" shouted the irrepressible Jack. "We're off!" "About nor-norwest is the course, Jack," cried Mark Sampson, likewise inspired by the flight of the Snowbird. As for Washington White, he gazed down to the dusky earth below them and his eyes rolled. "Gollyation!" he muttered. "If Buttsy should fall down dere, he'd suah jounce himself some; wouldn't he?"
"Do you deny it?" No answer from Barkswell, but his head was bowed upon his breast, and a helpless look filled his eyes. "It would do you no good to deny that you and Perry Jounce murdered Detective Keene " "How did you learn so much?" cried out the doomed man. "There were witnesses present " "Witnesses?" "There was one." "One?"
Then Jounce led the way down a dark and narrow passage to another door, which he pushed open. "Go in, boss." The detective hesitated. Noticing it the tramp strode on in advance, struck a match and lit a gas jet that stood out from the wall. "A pokerish place," said Keene, as he followed Jounce into the room and gazed about him. "Its private anyhow," returned the burly fellow with a laugh.
He had received some money from Barkswell, and was anxious to keep in with that gentleman. "Lead the way, pardner, and I'll take her to the house." Perry Jounce lifted the seemingly lifeless form of his sister in his arms and strode from the summer-house. Barkswell led the way to the cottage, and a little later the woman revived. When questioned by Jounce she refused to make any explanation.
Again the fallen wretch gasped for mercy. "You butted against the wrong man, Perry Jounce," muttered Barkswell, "when you attempted to frighten me from my plans. What is your life to me? No more than his, than that woman's. You must die." The point of the knife touched the heaving bosom of the tramp, above the heart. "Mercy! Spare me, brother !"
On the floor sat Perry Jounce, wiping the blood from his face with a dirty handkerchief. "Well, Perry, that came mighty near proving a finisher for you," said. Mr. Barkswell with a provoking smile. "Wal, I should remark. And you'd a ben glad on't. I ain't goin' ter die yet awhile, pardner. Do you know why?" The ex-tramp seemed cool enough under the circumstances. "Explain, Perry."
"Loud o' liberty!" exclaimed Jounce, "I was expectin' him, too." "When did you meet him last?" "'Bout this time last night." "Exactly; on a vacant lot ?" "Eh?" The tramp started and evinced alarm. "Don't worry, old fellow," uttered the detective in a low voice. "I know all about it, my friend. You were to meet a gentleman here by appointment?" "Yes." "I am the man." "You?" incredulously. "Yes. Mr.
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