barn, came out with a harness
throat-latch and a pitchfork, strapped Woodell's hands together, pulled
them over his knees, and between the knees and wrists passed the long
ash fork-handle. The man, slowly recovering his senses, was "bucked"
in a manner known to any schoolboy; as securely bound as if with
handcuffs and with shackles; as helpless as a babe!

CHAPTER XII.

INCLINATION AGAINST CONSCIENCE.

The shock had affected Woodell very much as what is known as a
"knock-out" in sparring affects a man. Absolutely unconscious at
first, he recovered intelligence slowly, though practically uninjured.
Harlson stood beside the grotesquely trussed figure and watched the
return to consciousness with curiosity. The cool night air assisted
the restoration.

Woodell opened his eyes, seemed to be wondering where he was, and then,
as realization came, made an attempt to rise. The effort was
ridiculous, and he but flopped like a winged loon. The contortion of
his face was frightful as there came upon him full understanding of his
situation. He struggled fiercely once again, then lay quiet, looking
up at Harlson with malignant eyes.

Harlson's fit of rage had gone entirely. There had come upon him a
swift compunction. "Why did you try to murder me?" he asked.

"You know well enough, ---- you!" came from between the teeth of the
man on the ground.

"I do not. I can't understand it! Have I ever injured you?"

"Injured me? You dodging, lying thief! What are you quibbling for?
You know just how you have injured me. Why don't you finish the thing?
Get a club and knock out my brains! They won't hang you, for you can
say it was in self-defense, and my being here will prove it. Do it!
Have a complete job of what you have done this summer!"

The man, writhed in his ignoble position, and tears gushed from his
eyes. Harlson reached forward and withdrew the pitchfork handle.
Woodell scrambled to his feet ungracefully, for his hands were still
strapped together before him.

"Look here, Woodell," said Harlson, "let us go to the road and walk
down toward your place. I'll not unstrap your hands just yet. I think
I'll feel a trifle more comfortable having you as you are. I want to
talk with you. I want you to be fair with me. Was it because of Jenny
Bierce?"

"You know it was."

"But why haven't I as good a right to make love to Jenny as you or any
other man?"

Woodell turned fiercely: "More quibbling." T