Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-01-11

came "a muned cry, followed by an
oath and the sound of struggle.
Tom east 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 a few yards he
emerged into a small open space in the
midst of which the three men were
writing and twisting in desperate
struggles. Tom was unable to distin.
guish one from another, but as he
reached the spot one man tore himself
free and shouted:
Help! Police. Stand back or I'll
shoot"
The rest Of his threat was drowned
by a heavy blow from blackjack
which knocked the weapon from his
hand.
stop" cried Tom springing to.
ward the assaiiant.
He was TOO late. for a second blow
stretched the stranger senSeless and
bleedingon the snow. and with an angry
suarl the robber turned just as Tom,
right fist shot out with tremendous
force.
Down went the man like a stricken
oX and Tom grappied with the other
With Shout OF triHWPh. IT'S blood WIS
up. and, lifting his smaller opponent
bodily from the ground. he shook him
as a mastiiT would terrier.
'lands or" painted the helpless
man. fyrcely. curse Xou, what are
you trying TO do
He was not long IN doubt, for Tom
hurled him against the side of stone
building with such force that lie fell in
an inert heap and lay motionless.
Tom turned TO see what had become
Of the taller man. but at that instant ne
felt a sharp pain i'm lis side and strong
hand seized him by the throat and bent
him backwards. while hoarSe voice
Missed i'm his ear:
Take that for your pains YOU med
ding fool
With desperate effort he twisted
himself free from his assailant. spring
ING aside barely in time TO escape AN
other Mnge of the murdcrous knife he
had just felt.
Again The fellow luuged vicious'y at
him. bat Tom caught his wrist, and a
desperate struggle cusucG. Although
much the stronger man, Tom found ii
10 easy task TO avoid the blade, and the
two svaycd back and forth over the
SNOW. the man rying to free his hand
for a decisive stroke. and Tom bending
all his efforts to prevent it. Soon, how
ever his iron grip began 10 tell. and he
felt Iii, cremy's muscles relax. Putting
all his strength into a supreme effort.
lie Wrcnchcd the knife free cNclaim.
ing:
I've got YOU now, YOU murderer and
I don't leave YOU till YOU are behind the
bars"
But even in the moment Of his victory
he felt a cold ring of steel pressed
against his ear, and these om.nous
words sounded behind him:
Hold up your hands, mister, OF
you're dead man! Quick, l say, or III
shoot
- was a IibhltIl Oi itdII Ql perl.
There was murder in the mans tones
and Tom felt it. lie released his grasp
slowly, and the larger man pushed him
suddenly backward, crying:
shoot him. YOU IDIOT"
His action saved Toms life. for the
other man pressed the trigger at the
same instant. the bullet passing a foot
in front of the young mans face, and
fattening against the wall at his side
Tom still retained the knife. and with
quick slash he struck the hand which
held the revolver causing the owner &c
drop il. with yell of pain, and dash of
toward the street at full speed, followed
by his companion. who had evidently no
desire to face Tom alone.
As the men disappeared he turned, 10
find the stranger he had rescued groau-