CHAPTER XV.
THE THUGGEE CORD.
Several moments following the dramatic and sensational escape of the
Christmas guest passed in silence, to be broken at last by Kit.
"That was about the smoothest get-away I ever saw," he said, with a
grin, for he had assisted in it by deftly tripping the chief deputy
while he was on the way to intercept the pony.
"What in thunder did they want to stop my star performance for?" asked
Santa Claus, pulling off his beard and revealing the rubicund face of
Ben Tremont, who was slowly baking beneath the heavy robes and hairy
disguise.
"Well, he's gone, and only taken a pony and a window with him," said the
major, "and he's welcome to both. And now, you men, we'll try to
dispense with your company. You see, this is a private party, and had I
known that you were in this part of the country, I probably would have
invited you to be present. But I regret to say that the guest list is
full."
The leader of the posse of deputy marshals looked up with a scowl.
Apparently, he was mad clear through at the sudden and unexpected loss
of his prospective prisoner.
As he looked about his eye encountered that of Ted Strong, in which he
saw laughter, which did not tend to lessen his anger.
"I've a good mind to arrest the whole bunch of you for conspiring at the
escape of a United States prisoner," he growled.
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