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‘again, when he dies I want to see him do so with a-rope
around his neck.””. . °. ee Be oo a
It was wonderful to note the change that came .over
the face of Poppet when he heard the boy’s words. — _
Turning to the excited crowd about the pit, he. ad-
dressed them-.in the language of the city, telling them
-exactly what our hero had said,
This seemed to satisfy them, and the next moment the
entire crowd were gazing at the plucky American boy
with admiring eyes. — Co
“Well,” observed Poppet, at length, turning to our
friends, “I am the master of all executions that take place,
and overseer. of prisoners as well. For the present I will
have this man locked up, and to-night the city officers will
decide upon what is to be done with him. It may be that
they, will approve of what you say; and if so, the confes-
sion you desire will be forced from him, after which he
will be executed after the fashion of your country.” ~
‘What did he do that caused him to be, thrown to the
lion?” asked Joe, turning his large, dark eyes. upon
Poppet. . Lo oo .
_ “He insulted the daughter of one of the best men in
Utopia last night, and when a man does that here the
penalty is that he shall be thrown into the lion’s pit,” was
the reply. oo et a
Our friends were now conducted back to the house of
their host, and here it was that they learned two things -
which had hitherto seemed rather queer to them.
The first was how it was that Doc Clancy had discovered
' the horses rigged uprin such a curious fashion; and this
was explained by Poppet as being a ruse practiced by. his
people to frighten their enemies who dwelt outside the
wall. In this case the man who led the mounted dummies
had been killed in-some manner, and thus it was that _
Clancy and his associate had discovered the horses, who -
had returned to the gate in the huge wall.
The other thing which became plain to them was that
- of the iron gate opening and shutting without apparent
_ cause, and we will explain it in Poppet’s own words,
“Whenever the gate is opened it must be done by a
person in the center of our little city,” said he. ‘There
are wires laid underground to the gate, and when ad-
mission is sought the person in charge of them becomes
aware of it immediately, as a bell will ring twice in quick
succession. A knob is touched and open comes the gate,
‘and when the person or persons are through it shuts.”
“It must be done by electricity,” remarked our hero, in
. great surprise. oe baie pe
“That is exactly what it is done by,” was the reply.
“All the power used in the city is furnished by it.” ,
Our friends were too much astonished to speak after
they heard this. :
_. But the city they had struck was indeed a wonderful
one, and beyond this we will not say much of it, as we
have not the space at our command, and, besides, it would
be deviating from our story too much.
Shortly after noon, Poppet asked-Van to take a trip
with him to see the prisoner.
OF course’ our hero was only too glad to avail himself
of the opportunity, and the pair at once. set out.
The distance to the place where Doc Clancy wes con-
fined was not great, and they soon arrived there. °
It was the same place where the villcin had been taken
-BRAVE AND BOLD.
' by those who captured him on his entrance to, the house
Nes :
“at. once rose to his feet.
vs An expression, of amazement came over Doc ‘Clancy’s
where the girl was.
The cowardly villain was seated tipon the floor of the })
cell he was confined in, the picture of abject misery.
“How are you, Doc Clancy?” said Van, placing his |:
face close to the bars in the heavy, iron door. |.”
‘A hopeful expression came over Clancy’s face, and he
~ “Have you come to take me out of here?” he demanded,
in an eager tone. “Who was it that shot the. lion and
saved my life?” - .
__“‘In answer to your last. question, I will say that it was
I who killed the lion,” was our hero’s reply..
face,
“You saved my life!’ You!—when I have tried to kill
you so many times!” a
. “Yes, it was I, and I nearly got into serious trouble by
doing it. Now, Doc Clancy, I want to ask you to do
something for me.” :
-. ‘What is it? T will do anything you ask.”
nog . . . '
‘I want a written confession from you that your mur-).
,
dered my uncle.” ’ :
For a moment the wretched man made no reply. Then| °
he looked up slowly until his eyes were on a level with}
those of our hero. _
“I will give it to you,” he said, at length. “Write 5}
I dictate, and when you have finished I will sign it.” |
In a moment Van produced his notebook and pencil
from his pocket. oe on ;
The next fifteen minutes was spent in writing the man's
words, and then, with a trembling hand, the wretch signed},
it, Poppet being a witness. 2
-- The confession implicated the lawyer who had chargé
of all the affairs of Van’s murdered uncle, and the boy;
vowed inwardly that he should suffer for the part he hadi
played in the crime if he ever got back to his home.
_ There, now!” exclaimed’ Doc Clancy, when he had
wal get Pout am handed it to Van, “I suppose yo
will, get me out of here now Het + my
business.” - ', and let me go about ™)
“He has nothing-to sa: . ind,”
: y about’a-matter of that kind,
said ‘Poppet, coldly. » “You h : + ct
peer oo: avi agains
you for insulting the © # Serious charge 3
<a
fa
daughter - of inentl ©
se s ‘of. one of our promunels .
citizens, and you must suffer the penalty.of your rash act}
Also, it.is the law of the African Utopia that a mar whe)
5 proven a murderer—whether the crime was committe
cs ont or in any other part of the world—must die. You's
fonescion proves that you are a vile murderer, and there
. “What!” screamed: Doc
' Van, you will not allow thi
Come away !”. exclaimed Poppet taking our hero by
meen Bandy no-more words with the scoundrel.”
s they turned away from the cell, Doc Clancy utter?
a yell of terror and fell to the floor in a fit
Clancy, in.a frantic voice
s, will you?” :
_
. CHAPTER xx,
a “OUR TIERO Fr
Shortly after Van and_
house, a messencer care
the city hoard would fit
strangers, :
NDS (A FATHER.
_Poppet arrived at the
in, stating that the president”
q
latte? }
. al
. . eur ait
€ an audience with the’ visi!?5,