Part 54 (1/2)

”All right, Ise ready to do my share.”

”I am going to jump down on his back. You follow me with the gun.”

”I will, Ma.s.sah Jack.”

The surgeon continued to pace the floor of the cabin, and, watching his chance, Jack crawled to the edge of the loft opening.

Just as Dr. Mackey swung around on his heel our hero gave a nimble leap and landed squarely on his shoulders, sending the surgeon to his knees.

”Hi, what's this?” spluttered the rascal, and tried to throw Jack off.

But our hero clung as fast as grim death.

”It means that you are now my prisoner, Dr. Mackey.”

”You!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the astonished man. ”Let me go, I say!” And he began to struggle more violently than ever.

But by this time Old Ben was on the floor, and the negro lost no time in poking the muzzle of the gun under the surgeon's nose. This brought Dr.

Mackey to a standstill, and he glared at his opponents in amazement.

”Don't--don't shoot!” he gasped.

”Then keep quiet.”

”How did you escape from the cave?”

”That is our business, Dr. Mackey. Will you submit, or not?”

”I suppose I'll have to submit. You are three to one.” Columbus Was.h.i.+ngton was now beside Ben.

”Columbus, see if you can find a rope or a strap. We'll bind his hands behind him,” went on Jack.

”What are you going to do with me?” questioned the surgeon anxiously.

”Put you where you deserve to be--behind the bars,” was our hero's quiet, but firm, answer.

CHAPTER x.x.xI.

FATHER AND SON--CONCLUSION.

”Jack, do you mean to say you would put your own father in prison?”

asked Dr. Mackey reproachfully, after Old Ben had tied his hands behind him.

”I would--were he such a fraud and villain as you, Dr. Mackey,” was our hero's calm reply. ”You will never make me believe that any of your blood flows in my veins.”

”Then you believe I am an impostor?”

”I do.”