Part 34 (2/2)

”I'll do it tight enough,” answered the other man, pocketing his pistol. ”Hold out your hands,” he went on to the detective.

Adam Adams looked around to see if there was some means of escape. But he realized that between the two men and the somewhat savage mastiff he was squarely cornered.

”I suppose I'll have to submit,” he said. ”But let me tell you that you are making a big mistake and it will cost you dear if you make me submit to this indignity. I'll sue you for a good round sum.”

At this Matlock Styles winced. Evidently he was one who did not like to have his pocketbook touched. But then he stiffened again.

”I am willing to run the risk. Go ahead, Bart.”

Adam Adams was compelled to hold out his hands and to his astonishment, not to say chagrin, his arms and also his legs were tightly bound.

”Going to search him?” asked the fellow called Bart.

”Of course,” answered Matlock Styles and went through the detective's pockets one after the other. Fortunately Adam Adams had but little with him outside of a roll of bankbills and the material for several disguises. Matlock Styles allowed him to keep his money but placed the disguises on the table.

”That looks as if you were an honest man,” said he with a sneer.

”Honest men don't go around in this fas.h.i.+on. You're the man, beyond a b.l.o.o.d.y doubt, and I am going to hand you over to the police. Nelson!”

At the call the mastiff came up and looked inquiringly at his master.

”Sit down in that chair,” continued the Englishman to Adam Adams, shoving him backward on a seat. ”Now, Nelson, watch him. Watch him, old boy. Don't let him get up.” And the dog growled In response.

The Englishman then motioned to the other man, and the pair went out together, closing the door after them. Listening, the detective heard a murmur of voices in the kitchen of the house and then all became quiet.

Adam Adams was angry, and that anger was directed entirely at himself.

In the easiest possible manner he had allowed himself to be outwitted and exposed.

Could the Englishman be honest in what he said, or was he playing a deep game? That was a question which could not as yet be answered. If the fellow was honest he was most likely now getting ready to take his prisoner to the Sidham lockup. The absurdity of such a move compelled Adam Adams to smile bitterly.

To escape was out of the question. He could not slip from the cords which bound him, and at his slightest move the mastiff growled and showed an inclination to leap at his throat. So the detective considered discretion the better part of valor and remained quiet.

It was fully an hour before Matlock Styles returned. He was alone and carried a lantern on his arm, for it was now dark outside.

”I can't take you to town to-night,” he said. ”I am going to keep you here until morning.”

”You haven't any right to keep me at all.”

”I'll risk that. I'll make you comfortable, don't you fear.”

Adam Adams thought rapidly. Perhaps to remain a prisoner at the farmhouse would be better than to be taken to town. During the night he might get the opportunity to escape.

Matlock Styles untied the end of the rope which bound the detective's legs and ordered the prisoner to follow him.

”And don't try to run away, unless you want Nelson to make a meal of you,” he added grimly.

”Where are you going to take me?”

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