Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/206

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THE RIDER OF THE BLACK HORSE

"Oh, I mean what I say, Jake.

"So I heerd ye remark before."

"For the last time I'm asking you where he is."

"Where who is?"

Before Russell could reply or act, the door was suddenly pushed back from its place and with a leap Robert Dorlon threw himself upon the man. In the fierceness of his attack the chair in which Russell had been seated was overturned and the man himself was thrown to the floor. With incredible swiftness the landlord also threw himself upon the prostrate man, his hand was held over his mouth, the pistol was wrenched from his hand and the Tory was completely helpless in the grasp of his captors.

"Gag him! Be quick! Josh will be back here in a minute," said Jacob, and Robert instantly followed the directions. A cloth was tied about the man's face, his hands were speedily bound, and then with a savage jerk Jacob lifted him to his feet, while he stared into his eyes with a rage that was as great as it was unexpected in a man of the landlord's ordinary calm demeanor.

"Seems t' me," he said in a low voice, "ye wanted t' know where young Dorlon was,