The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-06-15

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came . muif1ed cry, followed by al
oath and the sound OF q struggle.
Tom cast one quick look about him.
No one was in sight and the next in
slant he had pulled Off his gloves and
darted up the passageway at full speed.
The darkness was intense for short
distance, but after few yards he
emerged into q small open space IN the
midst Of which the three men were
writing and twisting in desperate
struggles. Tom was una bic to distin-
guish one from another, but as q
reached the spot one man tore himself
free and shouted: d.
Helpl Police! Stand back or.I'll
shoot II
The rest Of his threat was drowned
by heavy blow from q blackjack,
which knocked the weapon from his
hand.
"stop!" cried Tom, springing to-
ward the assailant. #
He was too late, for a second blow
stretched the stranger senseless and
bleeding on the snow, and with an angry
snarl the robber turned just as Toms
right fist shot out with tremendous
force.
Down went the man like stricken
OK and Tom grappled with the other
with shout of triumph. His blood was
up, and, lifting his smaller opponent
bodily from the ground, he shook him
as mastiff would a terrier. b
"Hands OFF, painted the helpless
man, fercely. Course you, what are
you trying to do?" ii
He was not long in doubt, for Tom
hurled him against the side of stone
building with such force that he fell in
an inert heap and lay motionless.
Tom turned to see what had become
of the taller man, but at that instanthe
felt sharp pain in his side and a strong
hand seized him by the throat and bent
him backwards, while hoarse voice
Kissed in his ear: SS.st
'Take that for your pains, you med
ding fool!''' s*..-%% 80" :Ess
With a desperate effort he twisted
ing aside barely in time to escape IAN
other lunge of the murderous knife he
had just felt. 5s%ER +
Again the fellow lunged viciously at
him, but Tom caught his wrist, and a
desperate struggle ensued. Although
much the stronger man, Tom found it
no easy task to avoid the blade, andthe
two swayed back and forth over the
snow, the man trying to free his hand
for a decisive stroke, and Tom bending
all his efforts to preyentit. Soon, how
ever, his iron grip began to tell, and he
felt his enemy's muscles relax. Putting
all his strength into a supreme effort
he wrenched the knife free, exclaim.
| ing: -a
1--WE got you now, you murderer, and
don't leave you till you are behind the
| bars!" 70 70
But even in the moment of his victory
he felt cold ring of steel pressed
against his ear, and these ominous
words sounded behind him: 90 y
"Hold up your hands, mister OF
you're a dead man! Quick, I say, or I'll
shoot!' y 49,. u.s.
It was a moment of fearful peril,
There was murder in the man s tones
and Tom felt it. He released hissgrasp
slowly, and the larger man pushed him
suddenly backward, crying: Is@ 3d.
'shoot him, you idiot!" A. !
His action saved Toms life, for the
other man pressed the trigger attthe
same instant, the bullet passing foot
in front of the young mans face, and
fattening against the wall at his side
Tom still retained the knife, and Will
a quick slash he struck the hand which
held the revolver, causing the owner tc
drop it, with yell of pain, and dash of
toward the street at full speed, followed
by his companion, who had evidently nc
desire to face Tom alone. %3T%
AS the men disappeared he turned, ia
find the stranger he had rescued groan.
|