True to Himself | Page 7

to let me go at once," I said decidedly. "If you don't, it will
be the worse for you."
"Not a bit of it. We intend that you shall remember this occasion as
long as you live," returned Moran. "Come, march along with us."
"Where to?"
"Never mind. March!"
For reply I turned, and made a hasty jump for the carriage, intending to
utilize Jerry in a bold dash for liberty. I had just placed my foot upon
the step and called to the horse when Moran caught me by the jacket
and dragged me to the ground.
"No you don't!" he ejaculated roughly.
"There, Dunc, catch hold of him; and you too, Ellery. We mustn't let
him escape after we've watched two hours to catch him!"
In an instant, I was surrounded. Now that Duncan had his friends to
back him he was brave enough and held my arm in a grip of iron.
"Any one bring a rope?" went on Moran.

"Here's one," replied Ellery Blake.
"Hand it over. We had better bind his hands."
Knowing that it would be folly to resist, I allowed them to do as Moran
had advised. My wrists were knotted together behind my back, and
then the cord was drawn tightly about my waist.
"Now march!"
"How about the horse and carriage?"
"They'll be O. K."
There seemed to be no help for it, so I walked along with them. Had
there been the slightest chance offered to escape I would have taken it,
but warned by experience, all six kept close watch over me.
Away we went through the woods that lined the east side of the road. It
was bad walking, and with both my hands behind me I was several
times in danger of stumbling. Indeed, once I did go down, but the firm
grasp of my captors saved me from injury.
Presently we came to a long clearing, where it had once been the
intention of some capitalists to build a railroad. But the matter had
drifted into litigation, and nothing was done but to build a tool house
and cut away the trees and brush.
The building had often been the resort of tramps, and was in a
dilapidated condition. It was probably fifteen feet square, having a door
at one end and a window at the other. The roof was flat and full of
holes, but otherwise the building was fairly strong.
"Here we are, fellows," said Duncan, as we stopped in front of the door.
"Just let go of him."
The others did as he requested. But they formed a small circle around
me that I might not escape.

"Now that I have got you in a place free from interruption I intend to
square up accounts with you," continued the president of the Models.
"You hit me a foul blow this morning."
"You brought it on yourself, Duncan," I replied, as coolly as I could,
though I was keenly interested.
"Stop! How many times must I tell you not to call me by my first
name."
"Well, then, Woodward, if that suits you better."
"Mr. Woodward, if you please."
"Oh, come, Dunc, hurry up," interrupted Moran. "We don't want to stay
here all day."
"I'm only teaching this fellow a lesson in politeness."
"All right; only cut it short."
"See here, Moran, who's the president of this club?"
"You are."
"Well, then, I'll take my own time," replied Duncan, loftily.
"Go ahead then. But you'll have to do without me," rejoined Moran,
considerably provoked by the other's domineering tone.
"I will?"
"Yes. I've got other things to do besides standing here gassing all day."
"Indeed!" sneered Duncan.
"Yes, indeed!"
I enjoyed the scene. It looked very much as if there would be lively

times without my aid.
"You're getting up on your dignity mighty quick, Dan Moran."
"I don't intend to play servant-in-waiting for any one, Duncan
Woodward."
"Who asked you to?"
" 'Actions speak louder than words.' "
"I'm the president of the Models, am I not?"
"Yes, but you're not a model president."
I could not help smiling at Moran's pun. He was not a bad chap, and
had he not been to a great extent under Duncan's influence he might
have been a first-rate fellow.
Of course, as is the fashion among men as well as boys, all the others
groaned at the pun; and then Ellery broke in:--
"Come, come, this will never do. Go ahead with Strong, Dunc."
"I intend to," was the president's rejoinder. "But you all promised to
stick by me, and I don't want any one to back out."
"I'm not backing out," put in Moran. "I only want to hurry matters up."
There was a pause after this speech, then Duncan addressed me:--
"Perhaps you are anxious to