Carlton looked at him for a moment, and then turned with a nod to Sevier. The young Alabaman produced a long, heavy strap from under the table, and with a movement of incredible celerity he dropped the loop over Laurie’s head and shoulders. In another second he was buckled fast to the back of his chair, before he had comprehended that anything was happening. He gave a shrill cry of alarm as the strap drew tight, however, and Elliott jumped to his feet.
“What do you mean?” he cried. “This is an outrage! Set that man loose instantly.”
He stepped forward to release the strap himself, but Carlton met him. “Don’t be a fool, Elliott,” advised the big man. “Ah! there now, you will have it!”
Elliott had tried to strike, but Carlton gripped him by the wrists like a vise. There was a brief tussle, while the missionary wriggled in the chair, but he could not free himself from that steel grasp.
“See if he’s armed, Sevier,” advised Carlton, coolly, and the Alabaman ran his hands over Elliott’s captive person. There were no weapons.
“We don’t want to hurt you, Elliott,” said Sevier, “but I’m afraid we’ll have to strap you up likewise to keep you from hurting yourself. Don’t be frightened. There isn’t going to be any bloodshed, but we’ve got to get the story out of that old fakir by hook or crook.”
Another noose dropped over Elliott’s head, pinioning his arms to his sides. He kicked Carlton on the shins, and fell with the recoil, and before he could regain his feet Carlton was sitting on his chest and Sevier was binding his ankles together. They placed him in a sitting posture against the wall, helpless as a sack.
“It’s so hot that it would be cruel to gag you,” added Sevier, considerately, “but if you yell we’ll have to stuff a handkerchief into your mouth.”
“Yes, keep your mouth shut,” advised Carlton. “Get the battery, Sevier.”
Sevier went into the next room and returned with a box of polished wood, about a foot in diameter, which he placed upon the table. In three more journeys he brought out the six large glass cells of an electric battery, and proceeded to twist their wires together, connecting the terminals with the wooden box.