The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1893-03-03

and was reclining to the left. Ny
eyes caught no glimpse Of anything,
nor had my ears detected the slight
est sound to put me on my guard.
Tho first sensation was exactly that
Of falling. remember roaring in
my ears and fireworks dancing before
my eyes, and was perfectly conscious
that my throat was In tho clutch Of
human fingers. What saved me was
the tree and the position in which
sat. did not realize that strug-
gled to break the clutch, but I did
put forth o mighty effort. My right
shoulder and arm were lever against
the strangler's right wrist, and as
heaved broke his clutch and leaped
to my feet.
1t was Peter, as you have suspected.
He had gone only few rods away
and then turned and crcpt back on
me like serpent. His route WAS
through bushes and vines, but when
| came to go over it ! could not find
that he had broken twig. My
springing up threw him down, but he
was on his feet like cat, and with u
cry like that Of an enraged beast lie
sprang for my throat again. His eyes
were fairly blazing, his face distorted
with passion, and realized in an In
slant that it was his life or mine.
He clutched for my throat with his
right hand as VIC rolled about and
caught the ends OF his first two fingers
in my teeth and bit to the bone. That
one bite gave mo tho victory. Still
gripping his fingers struggled to ihy
knees, reached for my revolver, and
/ had the muzzlo against his body
when the thought flashed across my
mind that he was the professional
stranger wanted by tho polio
to that instant ! had no thought as to
why he attacked me. When Idropped
his fingers and covered him with the
revolver, he made no further resist
ance. Tho native OF India, like the
Arab. believes In fate.
"Sahib, you have won," he said as
/ stood over him. alt was to be,
and so 1t is. Do us you will with
me-"
peter, why should you seek my
life?" asked even yet hoping there
might be some mistake about it.
"Why did i strangle tho others.
sahib? A voice commanded mo and
obeyed."
Good heavens! but you are not the
murderer OF the farmer, the clerk and
the soldier-you who have been con-
sidered SO faithful to the English?"
Even so, sahib. 1t was to be, and
II is. Take me to the police and !
will admit everything, and die like a
man. -.. -.-...-
drove him before me Until We en-
countered a troop OF cavalry which
was then returning to town with no
less than twenty-six prisoners. Had
Peter denied his admissions TO me
nothing could have been proved, and
he only would have been punished for
assault.
But he felt that fate had delivered
him into the hands of his enemies,
and he was willing TO help convict
himself He gave the particulars OF
th'i WIZ buti dtAuii hD
doubt could exist. II was the SER
gcant who had lacerated his hands.
Ho was keeping shady while he waited
for them to heal. He would not have
accompanied me that day but for the
fear that he might DO suspected.
though as matter Of fact he would
have been among the very last to fall
under the ban.
IL had no thought OF strangling you
when we started OUT no said to me
after his trial. at was only after
you had noticed my hands. While
you appeared Indifferent, was afraid
that you suspected. ! could have
snatchcd away your pistol and shot
you dead. or could have beaten you
to death with club, but my creed
would not permit must either
strnngle you or let you live on. Had
been successful should have made
my way north as soon rs possible.
lie did not hesitate TO toll the POI
lice that he was u professional stran-
glcr. and II was with considerable
pride that he exhibited tho flattened
thumbs and illustrated the manner In
which the deadly clutch was made.
lic had been professional for up
wards Of twenty years. He spent one
whole day making out list of dates.
localities and victims, and the num-
Der Of murders was appalling. The
figures ran up TO forty-two or forty
three. and there were seven Europ-