The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-09-24
CHAPTER VIII.

CHATTER VIII.
The brain, il sound. performs its func-
tions more quickly in moments of dam
ger than at any other time, discardinR
the consideration OF side issues, and
obeying blindly the instinct Of self
preservation.
1t flashed across me instantly that
was in deadly peril at the hands of the
man whom l had accused of cowardice
-Demetrius. He alone had access to
the house; he alone could quiet Sultan,
the bloodhound; he alone had good res
con to fear not only Burlington. but
Hugo Livingston. Mark Gerard, could
no longer doubt. was the victim of
deep-laid plot-a plot which already
had wrecked three lives, and which was
destined, perhaps, to destroy my own.
u the Greek, inflamed with heliish am
bition, had slain poor Perkins, he was
capable of repeating the tragedy Of Red
Guich here, in this bedroom. Obvious
ly his plan was to kill both Burlington
ard me, and in such q manner that IL
would be supposed we had killed each
other.
This conviction asserted itself rs
awaited in breathless silence the attack
of the Greek. had dropped upon one
knee between the door and the bed.
and in Lay right hand was the small
pistol which always carried on my
person. But q pistol Is the least cfsi-
cient weapon in such fight as this.
What would have given for o double
Earreled shotgun, . good sabre or .,
knife! If fred in the dark. the fash
Of the powder would prove . death war
rant; the same grim logic applied TO
the striking of match. Iwas satisfied
that such a master scoundrel rs De-
nietrius had laid his plans with extraor-
binary sagacity. He was taking des-
perate chances. but the crisis justified
them. These rooms were cut off from
the rest of the house, and nothing short
Of q pistol shot would arouse Gerard
and the servants. Demetrius must have
counted upon the moon as an ally.
From the darkness Of Marks room he
might have approached me unseen and
unheard, and them bold thrust of a
knife would rid him Of the man who
had dared to unmask his villainy. But
the tickle moon had played him false.
He probably, like me, was now upon
the defensive. Who would move first?
finally decided to take the initiative,
for the suspense wns intolcrable.
Demetrius, I reflected. was stiff in the
Joints, his muscles less supple than
mine, his sense of hearing less acute.
Youth was on my side, experience on
his. The two players in the game were
at least fairly matched.
Had Il not been for Burlington, could
have easily escaped by the window and
slarmed the household: but dared not
leave my patient. Ills somewhat ster-
torous breathing was the only sound
which broke the silence. II I were killed
or injured, he was At the mercy Of the
Greek.
confess that certain exhilaration
possesned me - I crawIed into Marks
room. and . sense that was acting
wisely braced my nerves. The Greek
could beat me hollow when II came TO
scheming. but in a rough-and-tumble
contest confidently expected TO get the
best Of him. As soon as determined
Ills whereabouts, decided to rush the
ruffian. and, II possible, strike the first
(so often the last) blow.
But the unexpected, that element in
human affairs which we invariably
ignore, ruled otherwise. I had'hardly
crossed the threshold Of the inner room
when heard q heavy football In the pas
sage. At the same moment the voice Of
Jap Byers. calling me by name, echoed
PrufIly through the darkness, while a
Rieam Of light pierced the gloom. As
the door was flung open. revealing the
thfck-Nrt figure Of the coachman, Lam
torn in hand. crasfh Of gInss'to my
right set my nerves ungling. Deme-
trius had leapesi through the window,
glissaded down the roof Of the veranda,
and was already lost 70 sight. Jap and
! confronted eacli other. our mouths
agape. our eyes starting from our heads.
''If this amt . picnic, /" said Jap, 'swhat
10 it7~
"Attempted murder, Jap. You ar
rived In the nick Of time"
II heard that ther hound a-nyin'.
Mr.. Livingston. an suspicioned that
somefhin'--~ coon, maybe-was stir |
rim. Wen, sir. old Sultan wasn't irwin |
tongue fer nothin'; fer the next thing I |
kBowed there was that Greek sarpint |
a-cFawlIn' around the house. Thinis I.
IN watch you. mister. an maybe take
hand nyself II tbs yerr game. piped |
hin 81 - be unIor,ked The hack dnor. |