The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-10-18


hands of his enemies, not from any pro-
fessional fault, but because humanity
had induced him to come forward to the
relief Of our imperiled hero.
Cole Winters appreciated this, and
evidenced it by look of gratitude.
You have been frank with me-" So d
Hyland, after q momentary pause, and ]
will be equally SO with you"
That's kind OF you, remarked Sears,
with bow.
I'm acting in my own interest. ANY
move on your part to harm either MIR.
Winters or myself will prove in the na-
ture of q boomerang.
How so?"
You know me for detective?"
I've heard you call yourself that !
shouldn't have thought SO from anything
you've done in this case.
NO pleasantly, please. As detective
/ have taken every precaution for my
protection. l am in your power. You
may kill me, but your escape is impos-
sibie."
why so?"
Because this house is guarded by off,
GERS On every side.
THAT for you and your officers"
Almon Sears snapped his fingers, while
Bloom laughed.
That there ara ways Of killing a pig
besides choking him with butter. We
can quit this house when we please, and
your officers be none the wiser"
NONSENSE" cried Hyl nd, though our
hero well knew from his manner, that the
bold stand of the villains had somewhat
disconnected him.
Besides" Almon went on, speaking
with ereat deliberation, what you say is
not true"
as an officer likely to 90, without
backing or support of any kind into a
gang of armed and desperate murderers?"
In the first place we are not the bad
characters you represent, except Winters,
there, who has turned traitor and stolen
the plumber; and ag lin, you are a detec-
tive seeking promotion.
"Well?"
You had Cole Winters in your hands
this evening, and permitted him to es-
cape. This is, no doubt, already general
ly known, and nothing save HE rccapture
by YOU, entirely unassisted by others,
would give you clear record again. I'm
not a detective, but I've had occasion
to study them, and l know the nature of
the beast.
Besides, added Bloom, Dick Harper,
the backman, told me when l went ont
with the girl that there ha Int been a soul
around. DICKS been out with me MANY
time, and can count on what he ,ys. p"
You're folly be on your own heads,
them" cried Hyland.
In for "A penny, in fer a pound, re-
sponded Sears.
The detective realized that the scoun-
drels desi ned to take his life and sud-
denly resolved upon bold course.
his ri oh i,
head he spraug forward.
But the willy villain was too quick for
h n, and lescling his revolver. fired full
in the face of the would-be assail mt
As the reyort reyerberated through the
house, Mat Hyland fell heartily to the
floor.
Rendered desperate by the act, Sears
turned the weapon upon our hero.
Hold on" warned Bloom.
What for:"
There NAV be policemen outside, and
if there amt, That shot will attract atten-
ton.
What to be done?" asked the other,
lowering his revolver.
We must escape by the cellar pas
sage"
Good, But Hyland?"
Dead rs a door L il, replied the burg
lar after bending Tor moment over the
detective, who was bleeding profusely
from We uni in the forehead.
And Wilters?"
Let him keep the other one company. ="
Sears shud Tered at this sug ,estion and
recoiie q step.
We've done enough of that" said he.
Il wouldn't have shot Hylani only had
to-"
What them"
Il have plan"
Ont with it. They may be here any
miuutei'
Instead OF was ing words to unfold his
pl IN the youthful assassin seized a knife
and sprang tow I'd our hero.
Despite the recent protestations of his
enemy, Cole Winters gave himself up for
lost
But instead Of burrying the knife in
the prisoners body, Almon Sc RS used it
10 cut the rope which bound his arms AMI
legs.
"There!' he muttered, as lie threw the
fragments of cord in the open CRATE where
fire Was burning.
At that inst mt lond noise was heard
III the front of the house.
Quick" cried Sears, as he spran; for
ward AM threw open a door, beneath
which flight of stairs was visible.
He'll be caught red-handed and go to
the gallo
With the apparent purpose of furnish
ing evidence to sti further incrimiuate
Cole Winters, the scoundrel threw the
revolver on the floor, pushed Martin
Bloom forward, and quickly followed
him, closing the door with a slam.
The brain Of our hero was literally in
q whirl.
He realized that the words of the villain
were but too true, and that in the alb
sence of all coroborative evidence b s
protestations of innocence would 90 for
nothing.
In desperation he looked about for
means Of escape.
His eye fell upon the revolver, and,
acting upon sudden prompting of the
feeling of preservation, hs seized
and raised it in his hand.
Just then the front door was thrown
open and police officer in uniform ap-
peared.
Surrender" he shouted
Fire. He's got gum" cried second
officer. who stood further back
A sudden thought struck our hero, AMI
he instantly acted upon it.
He would initiate the action of the two
Villains.
In twinklng lie had reache and
thrown open the door through which they
had just disappeared.
Bang! Ping.
The foremost officer had fred, and the
bullet had crashed into the wood only q
few inches TO his right.
A moment moro and he was on the
landing, with only frail barrier of WOOL
between him and the officers.
Even then, desperate as was his stu
alton. his GOODNESS did not desert him.
Realizing that he had but q few sec
Dads the start of his pursuers. he turned
and felt for q bolt
To his great Joy lie found a large one
and succeeded IN shooting it into It.
socket,
He was rome too soon, for almost i'm.
mediately the oIncer reached the doc
and began shakiny and trying to force i
open.
In the brief respite thus afforded him
Cola VI royIaJyai his s!tnatio,, II Z