Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-07
CHAPTER VIII.


however, Of her visit On the window sill
in the form Of the revolver Of Archie
Hunter. A single step, and | seized it
/. with tho feeling that in doing so was
grasping lite itself.
Inspired by its possession, faced to-
ward Cy Walters, ready TO shoot him il
he made movement Of body or limb.
The Younger man was beneath notice.
The massive sentinel still slept.
Resting my free hand against the side
Of the window frame, thrust one foot
through the opening and with a cool
ness and skill that surprised myself
leaped clear. landing on the soft earth
outside. only few feet below the win
dow sill. So far as I knew | made no
sound whatever other than the dull
thump Of my shoes as they struck the
greensward, but sound from the room
behind me showed that il had been
heard, and scurried off in the gloom,
not pausing until had run several rods
and knew was beyond sight Of any one
behind me.
The rear Of the building opened upon
Q plot Of ground used for garden, but
ut the late season there was little grow
ing to obstruot my progress, though my
feet made some noise In sweeping away
the vines that were tangled about my
ankles. IL was at the opposite side of
this plot that placed one hand OF the
palipg fence. leaped over and then turn
ed about and looked back.
II must have been considerably past
midnight. The only light burning in
the inn was within the room had just
left There was the window, with the
lower half open and the flood nf va'i"w
lamplight behind il. and within the
glow loomed the gigantic figure OF
man in a slouch hat, whose enormous
shoulders almost filled the space as ne
leaned outward and peered around in
the gloom, rifle in hand, searching for
his human target
"You re just too late, Cy, l mutter-
ed "You ought TO have awakened a
minute sooner il you wished to see
Gvely times.
But if Cy Walters had discovered the
flight Of his prisoner while his jailers
slept he did not abandon the effort to
recapture him. saw the huge form
crouch together and Chamber heavily
but quickly through the window. Then,
being still between me and the light,
the head and shoulders were seen sway
ing grotesquely about as he strobe
through the garden, and, as II impelled
by perverse fate, came in as direct
line for the spot where stood as II the
sun were shining. It was a good time
for me 10 make change of base, but
stood my ground.
Doubtless the army experience OF Cy
Walters helped him in outwitting his
foes at night, but it was an extraordi-
nary act, which must have been purely
accidental, that held him to mathemat-
ically true line until he came directly
opposite me with only the paling fence
separating rs.
had the advantage, inasmuch as the
dim light beyond gave me partial
glimpse of his gigantic figure, but his
eyes were keen, and he saw me before
attempting TO leap the obstruction be-
tween Us. That keen vision, too, showed
nv revolver leveled at his head.
Hands up!" commanded in voice
whose earnestness could not be mis-
taken.
Cy Walters was unquestionably q
brave man, and IL Is such who know
WI to fight and when to surrender.
Up eat both huge hands, one grasping
the Winchester. so that il was inter-
posed like rude cross against the faint
background.
"Drop that gunr'
Down 1t went with q thump to his
feet.
"My man. as you gee, have the drop
ON you. Ii would serve you right II l
stretched you beside your rife, but l
have never committed murder and don't
! intend to begin now. You take me for
Hank Boyer. II were he, there would
be no sense in denying il when it would
bring me no danger, but repeat that I
am another person. Everything that l
said at the hotel tonight was true. l
was never in this part Of the country
until yesterday The real Hank Boyer
was that young man whom ] pointed
out standing by the door Of the dining
room. He had made himself look differ
ent by shaving of his rnustache. and he
also disguised his voice. What do you
think CT my statement"