Part 38 (1/2)
”Who are you?” he demanded.
”I am an officer of the law, Ralph Temple, and I call upon you to surrender,” said the stranger, coolly.
”An officer? I don't believe it. Where is your uniform?”
”I had my reasons for not wearing it. Do you surrender?”
”Why should I? What do you want of me?” asked the outlaw, uneasily.
”I want you for the theft of a tin box of bonds, taken from an office in New York.”
”I know nothing about it,” said Temple, hastily.
”That is too late! I have heard you charge that boy with stealing it from you. You admitted that you had concealed it in the wood.”
”That was my own property. I have been robbed of it.”
”You will have a chance to prove that in a court of law.”
”I'll do that, if you'll let me alone.”
”I have orders to arrest you.”
”Then you'll have to show that you are a stronger man than I!” exclaimed Temple, with an oath, and he prepared to dash forward.
”Stay where you are, or I fire!” said the officer, sternly.
Temple looked in his eyes, and saw that he was dealing with a man of resolution. He knew something of faces, and he saw that this man would be as good as his word.
”What do you want of me?” he said, sullenly.
”You must go with me.”
”Lead on, then. I'll follow.”
”I must adopt a little prudential measure first, Harry, take these handcuffs.”
Harry stepped forward and received them from the officer.
”Hold out your hands”--this was said to Temple--”and let this boy put on the handcuffs.”
”I'll kill him before I'll allow him to do it!” exclaimed Temple, violently.
”I don't think you will, or even make the attempt,” said the officer, quietly. ”You forget that I hold your life in my hands,” and he made a slight motion with the revolver.
”You wouldn't dare to shoot?”
”If you should prove to be mistaken, it would be a serious mistake,”