The National tribune., 1897-08-05

he was coming away from work, looking
somewhat ruefully at his blistered hands,
and learned that not soul bad gone in Or
I ont OF No. 1918 during the day. He in
structed him to go home, wash up, get his
/ supper and little rest, and JOIN Con at the
building by Q o'clock.
a little after 3 Kent visited Con, and
/ found Wat already there, eager for any
/ farther developments, with Con twitting
him about being in the elevator business,
| and doing circular work" Concealed be-
hind pile of window frames. Kent handed
each of them his share of the armament
Wat received the handouts and the pistol,
but utterly refused the billy.
Hi don't want to it man wi nothink
but my mawleys- 'Taint Christian nor
man-like. 'Taint needfnl, neyther. Lee me
ave good crack hat i'm WI my naked
dukes. hand Hill hanswer fur i'm. Ell
ave hall e wants, Hi warrant ye."
Con tested the billy doubtfuIly. "0Pd
much rather have good sprig o shillaleh.
But mebbs there won't be room for play
wild sthick. OIL take it in me pocket in
case there's made fur it'
While they were talking, heavily-built,
rough-loOking young man loitered along
the sidewalk on the other side, and after
looking around to see that the coast was
clear descended into the area
That must be Jem Tiles friend whom hs
is expecting" said Kent. Wen probably
have to deal with him, if anything happens
tonight"
the more the merrier," said Con, con-
fdently.
Hi ate to ave yer 90 bin there halone,
Kent" said Wat. "Carn't We put hup some
| hexcuse fur takin' me hin wi YEP"
No; and You fellows must lii pretty
close, for fear of flushing the game. feel
1t in my bones that Ragabert will come to-
night, and that we'll get him. DON'T be-
afraid about me. I'll not let them get be-
, hind me, and III stand them Off with the
revolver. If | need you, and can get a
chance, I'll scratch a match on the window
pane. II can't get to do that, III yell or
fire my revolver. Then come in on the
jump"
Kent bought another bottle of whisky
and handful of cigars at the saloon and
entered the house. Jem greeted him
gruttly, took the bottle, and turned to find
corkscrew, saying with a motion of his
hand toward the stranger: This is Tom
Bridges"
I've heard of you, Mr.. Bridges" said
Kent pleasantly. you've been in the ring,
l believe"
Champion middle weight ; can garrots
a man hall by hisself," growled Jem, while
the stranger gave grin by way of eOnfrma-
ton.
Have cigar" said Kent, passing them
around.
The glasses were filed the cigars lighted,
and Kent settled down to rereading the ac-
counts in Bells Life. This had gone on for
more than an hour, with rising interest on
nf o,,1 De-
rapid lowering of the contents OF the bottle.
Hist" said Jem suddenly.
A carriage was rolling up the street. II
slowed down and stopped in front. The
bulldogs rose and shifted the air expect
antly. A look of eagerness rifted Jem's
scanned, disfgured face. Kent's heart pal
pitated, for he recognized Mick HOrgan's
voice speaking TO the horses. Jem had
risen and passed out of the room into thu
basement hall. There were several peculiar
taps on the outside door. Kent heard Raga-
bert's voice say:
Leave your horses, and come inside,
Mick. l want to talk to you"
Kent had risen at the same time that Jem
did, and was fumbling with match as if to
relight his cigar. He stepped over as if to
scratch it on the wall, but drew it across
down the long window-pane. 1t burst into
a bright flame. At the same instant he
noticed that the stranger sprang at him.
Kent had placed the billy in the right-hand
pocket of his paBtaloons in readiness. 1t
was in his hand before Bridges reached him.
and he dealt blow on the pugilist's fore
head, which sent him to the floor in lump.
The next moment Ragabert stepped into
the full light, and glared with amazed eyes
on Kent. Behind him were Jem and his
dogs followed by Mick Horgan
Kent felt that there was no time to eX-
change his billy for revolver. He backed
up against the wall, raised his hand to
strike, and awaited the onset. Ragabert
recovered from his surprise in an instant,
and sprang at Kent like panther, to catch
him by the throat and throttle him.. Kent
struck at him with the blackjack but Raga-
bert eluded the blow with his head and
caught it on his shoulder, where it merely
staggered him. He caught Kent and pressed
his thumb upon his windpIpe. Kent
wrenched away and struck sayagely, but
Ragabert soon had his hand again at his
throat, while the dogs were swapping at his
legs, and Jem was striving 10 get IN blow
at every opportunity afforded by the swift
writings of the eombatants. Mick, too,
was trying to get into the fight, when
stunning blow from Watts pOnderous fist
stretched him on the floor. Con caught the
dogs by their hind legs and flung them
through the door and against the opposite
wall with violence that threatened to
break every bone in their bodies. He in
stantly closed the door to keep them out
and turned his attention to HOrgan and
Bridges, who were showing renewed interest
in the proceedings. Wat swept Jem away
with wave of his arm, and catching Rags-
bert by the neck, put his knee IN the small
of his back and bent him backward until
Ragabert screamed with pain. Kent in
stantly produced his handouts and snapped
them over Ragabert's wrists. This reminded
Con TO do like service for Mick, and Wat
served Bridges the same way
"Fwhat shall we do wild 'em next?' asked
Con, as he wiped his face and surveyed the
field of battle
Jump ON Mick's carriage" said Kent,
sand drive as fast as yOu can to Head
quarters, and report to the Superintendent.
Well take care of these fellows and ths
house until he gets here"
ITO be concluded ncrt tceek1
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