A Cousin's Conspiracy Part 14

"Shall I a.s.sist thee?" he asked the stranger in a mild voice.

"No; I am quite capable of getting into the carriage without help."

The stranger did not immediately get into the buggy.

"I don't care to ride, after all," he said coolly. "Just hand me your money, you old clodhopper."

The worst had come. The new arrival was evidently one of the Fox brothers, after all.

"Indeed I have no money," said the terrified farmer.

This was true, for he had put the wallet containing the five hundred dollars into the hands of Luke.

"You lie! You have just come from the Emmonsville bank, where you drew a large amount."

At this proof of knowledge on the part of the outlaw the farmer was almost paralyzed. It appeared to him that the robber must be supernaturally gifted.

"I haven't got it now," he said.

"You lie!" cried the outlaw sternly. "Come down here and give up the money or I'll shoot you."

"You can search me," said Mason desperately.

"Come down then."

"Thee is very unkind," observed Luke.

"Shut up. It is none of your business."

"Thee had better come down and let the man search thee," said Luke to the farmer.

CHAPTER X

FOX ASTONISHED

Ezekiel Mason had been waiting for a hint from Luke, in whom he recognized a master spirit. His only hope was in his companion.

"Art thee Mr. Fox?" asked Luke in a tone of mild inquiry.

"I'll let you know who I am," was the swaggering reply.

Though he was but one man opposed to two he had no fears. The farmer was evidently cowed and terrified, while the Quaker seemed, though large, to be peaceable and harmless.

But in his judgment of Luke the outlaw was very much at fault. When threatening the farmer he had covered him with his revolver, but as he was preparing to leave the buggy he carelessly lowered it. Luke, who was aching to attack him, noticed this.

While Fox, for it was one of the notorious brothers, was standing in careless security, the Quaker sprang upon him like a panther upon his prey. He knocked the revolver from his hand, with one powerful blow felled him to the ground, and placed his foot upon his prostrate form.

Never, perhaps, in a career crowded with exciting adventures had the outlaw been so thoroughly surprised.

"What the mischief does this mean?" he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed, struggling to rise.

"It means that thee has mistaken thy man," answered Luke coolly.

"Let me go or I'll kill you!" shrieked the outlaw fiercely.

"If you try to get up I'll put a bullet through your head," replied Luke, pointing at him with his own revolver.

In his excitement he had dropped his Quaker speech, and this the outlaw noted.

"Are you a Quaker?" he asked abruptly.

"No more than you are," answered Luke. "Farmer, bring out the rope."

Ezekiel Mason from the bottom of the buggy produced a long and stout piece of clothes-line.

"What do you mean to do?" inquired the outlaw uneasily.

"You will see soon enough. No, don't try to get up, as you value your life. Now tie him, Mason, while I keep him covered with the revolver."

"We've had enough of this," said the outlaw sullenly. "Let me go and I'll do you no harm."

"I don't mean that you shall, my honest friend."

"But if you persist in this outrage I swear that you will be a dead man within thirty days."

"Be careful how you talk or you may be a dead man within thirty minutes,"

answered Luke.

While the outlaw was covered by Luke's revolver Farmer Mason, though his tremulous hands showed that he was nervous, managed to tie him securely.

Fox began to understand the sort of man with whom he was dealing and remained silent, but his brain was busy trying to devise some method of escape.

At length the dangerous prisoner was securely tied.

"What shall we do with him?" asked Ezekiel.

"Where's the nearest prison?"

"At Crampton."

"How far away?"

"Twelve miles."

"In what direction?"