Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/329

Rh I'm innocent! What are you taking me for? I never harmed anybody in all my life!" The man's terror was so abject that it was pitiful. He cast himself on the floor and cried aloud as he strove to grasp the knees of the man with the strap.

"What shall I do?" inquired the latter of the leader, hesitating for a moment.

"Tie him up!"

"What for? What for? Tell me what for," pleaded the old man.

"For the counterfeit money you 've been scattering," replied the leader sternly. "I doubt not you 've some of it about you now."

The face of the old man was drawn and pale as he gazed helplessly at his captors, but he offered no further protest, and in a brief time his hands were securely bound, as Josh's previously had been.

"Now, then, number three," said the man, as he turned to Robert.

"You don't want me and I'll explain if you'll give me a chance," said Robert.

"Don't you believe him," called Mr. Beach. "He's the worst one of all! He's got some of the bills on him now. Search him and see for yourselves. You 'll find a Connecticut bill for forty shillings on him now. Search him