"There, I reckon he won't give no more trouble," said a voice that the
detective recognized as that of Perry Jounce, the tramp.
"Confound his picture," grated Barkswell. "I believe the scamp would have
been too much for me if you hadn't come just as you did."
"Even the service of a brother-in-law hain't allus to be despised; eh,
Andrew?"
"No. You did me a good turn just now, and I'll not forget it."
Detective Keene heard these remarks, and tried to profit by them.
"This man is fooling you, Mr. Jounce," cried Keene, faintly.
"Shut up."
This from Barkswell.
"I tell you that this man is fooling you. He is not--"
A blow on the head from the fist of Barkswell effectually silenced the
tongue of the helpless detective. His senses reeled, and for a few
minutes he was oblivious of his surroundings.
"What was the feller tryin' to git through him, Andy?"
"Nobody knows. Bear a hand and we'll put him where the hogs won't bite
him."
Both men laid hold of the bound detective and dragged him to one side of
the room.
The lantern, that had been overturned in the struggle, still burned,
giving a faint light.
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