The Globe-republican., 1892-05-23
CHAPTER XIX.

Paxton's finger was upon the trigger
of his weapon, when Marion Oakburn
appeared in the door through which the
man who was the object Of the detect
ives pursuit, had fed.
The cashiers daughter was in deadly
peril of her life at the instant when she
presented herself before Paxton.
Had the detectives finger involuntari-
ly contracted even to the least extent,
bullet would have been sent speeding
on its mission of death.
Fortunate was it that the detectives
weapon was not discharged.
Amusement at the presence OF Marion
Oakburn, and establishment at her con-
duct in interposing to favor the escape
Of the supposed assassin, for the instant
held the detective spellbound, and he
recOiled
He was mentally dazed by this start
ling denOuement.
The thought that the fugitive whom
of all things he desired to arrest was
escaping, broke the spell almost In
stantly.
Stand aside, Miss Oakburn! You
are impeding the course of justice, and
Interfering with me in the discharge Of
my duty" he said taking a forward
step.
AS he made this advance, Paxton's
acute ear caught the sound made by the
closing of a door somewhere in the rear
of the building, and almost simultane-
ously he heard low whistle from the
same direction.
Paxton fancied the whistle was in
tended as a signal.
AS if understanding it, and as though
acting in obedience to secret mandate,
the moment the whistle sounded Marion
Oakburn lowered her weapon, with
which she had menaced the detective,
and sprang aside out Of the doorway.
1t was Of course all important to cut
off the escape of the fugitive.
Thinking only of Overtaking him, Pax
ton darted through the interior door and
rushed through a passage beyond the
next apartment.
At the end of the passage door con-
frOnted him. but he tore it open and
rushed out into the open air.
Saul Hedden closely followed.
The detective and his companion
found themselves in the dense gloom Of
the impenetrable night.
But Paxton was provided for such an
emergency, and he produced pocket
lantern, lighted it, and then flashed its
light about him.
A narrow alley in the rear of the build
ing which they had just left was before
them.
1t was folly to think of pursuing the
supposed assassin, for it was utterly
impossible to tell in what direction he
had fled.
Realizing that failure had again over
taken him, Paxton ran back into the
house.
He feared that Marion Oakburn might
also elude him.
His apprehension proved to be well
founded.
Reaching the room in which he had
left the cashiers daughter, he found it
deserted.
Too late! She also has eluded mel"
cried Paxton.
The aged woman who had admitted
the cashier and his companion was no.
where to be discovered.
The idea occurred to Paxton that she
and Marion might be concealed some
where in the building. and he hastily
searched the premises, assisted by He'd
den.
They soon assured themselves that
the house was deserted.
Despite the adverse result of his I'M
aertaking when success seemed almost
within his grasp, Paxton attributed his
failure to occurrences against which he
could not have guarded.
Had not Marion Oakburn appeared to
cover his flight, the hunted man of whom
the detective was in pursuit would not
have escaped.
Paxton was disposed to accept his de-
feat on this occasion more philosophic-
ally than might have been expected,
bitter as his disappointment undoubtedly
was.
There's many slip 'twixt the cup
and the lip, and never was the truth Of
that adage more forcibly illustrated than
now" he said.
The search Of the house had been COM
pleted. Paxton and his companion were
standing in the front apartment which
they had frs. entered.
"Hark!" exclaimed Hedden in q warn
ing tone, as the detective spoke. and he
held up his finger as a sign for silence.
The two men listened for q moment.
They heard several peculiar whistles,
and the sounds emanated from various
directions.
Hedden's face assumed an apprehen-
sive expression.
You look frightened" said Paxton,
observing this.
so am. Do you know what is the
meaning Of these signal whistles-for
such they are?"
L do not.
We'll, I do. The dangerous gang
we'll known to the police, which is COM
posed Of denizens Of this neighborhood.
are assembling. The old female fence
has given the alarm. know the game
the gang is up to. They mean to sur
round US.
Then we must not delay here"
No; the rear way is our best route
Come, we don't want to fight agains,
desperate odds. The people have q
mortal hatred for spies and informers
as you we'll know, and II We were sur
rounded and overpowered we'd stanG
but a small chance for our lives
THAT is true" assented Paxton.
They ran to the rear door, gained tn,
alley, and sped away through the dark
ness.
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