The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-23

moment. and it may have been for this
reason that Curtis started so suddenly. He
made no reply at once. but when he did he
said:
Impress this on your memory-No. 2
Broadway"
mo. . Broadway said we together.
well. we are to meet there"
you know the placer" l asked.
Yes"
You know New York. then" said 1,
incautiously.
MY friend" said Curtis, "a moment ago
York to help you at the risk of our lives.
and told US We were not to know the rea-
SON.
And, my dear friend" said |, neither
Acton nor l will ask why or how you can
help us"
mo. ? Broadway, then. let 1t be. Now as
to getting there-but 1 think something is
happening in the next room"
AS Curtis spoke, a shot had been fired
from the kitchen, and now came another
report from outside, and with Ii a long,
low cry from the house. Almost immediate
ly some one yelled Fire! fire." and ran
into the hall. We stood an instant, and
then. happening to be nearest. I ran
through the taproom and thrust open the
kitchen door. A bright light shining in the
room. 1 had started towards the fire when
l was checked by the cry of a man i'm
mediately in front of me. Another step, and
1 had fallen over him.
Here, john cried the wounded man.
I'm hit bad. John, 1 cannot see you. Take
tho nc nerc and oct out Of hara They must
be delivered! Where are your" cried the
man again, for the other had run into the
next room In search of water for the fire.
The papers. john cried the dying man
again, lin the back-part-of my-shirt.
Clinton must have morrow. Take
em-sure-I-" He had tried to sit up, but
now fell over into my arms.
1 took a belt knife and ripped up the
back of the mans coat, tearing off the
greater part of the garment TO make a wad
for his head. Twas scarcely done when
the other came back to the room, now
brightly lighted by the burning Of the win
COW sash, and he and Curtis and Acton
ripped off the boards of the window. A shot
or two came into the room, but each man
looked to it that he was not in range. Then
of a sudden the stranger turned towards
his companion and caught my eyes as /
bent over him.
HE is quite dead" said l, as the other
approached; shot through the head"
Let me see,'' said he, quickly. and, push
ing me aside. he began feeling of the man,
going through each and every one of his
pockets, muttering the while to himself.
1.-The fire, mani cried /. Let him be
-. 49, q 49,. -1 - TlnN Tho
tavern-keeper appeared. bringing water
pals, and the stranger took one.
"Holt!' said Curtis; stay here and we
will return to the front of the house. 'Tis
two TO one they take this opportunity to
attack there And so we started for the
front again.
And as we did so there came another
crack and the moonlight shot in through a
fracture in the big oak door. A mans head
appeared, and Acton, grasping a chair, held
it in front of him, and, leaping on the
table, rammed ii against the head. forcing
the man back with a roar of pain. Then.
standing still on the table but not in front
of the hole, Acton began to converse with
the unknown outside.
Now. gentlemen" said he gayly. 1.-The
first head that shows itself will get
scalped.'
Surrender" cried two or three gruff
voices.
Ready, ready. step up, gentlemen! one
at a time, to be scalped!' cried the imper-
turbable Acton.
Surrender, you there. and we'll give you
quarter, if you turn the house over to u.s."
said a gruff voice again.
mo use to surrender, my dears," replied
Acton, because the house is already turned
over to the flames"
''Then we'll shoot every soul of your"
cried another voice.
Shoot away. but do stick thy added
pate through and get scaIped!'
There was a short conference outside and
then the SINNERS drew out of ear and gun
shot.
Now to finish our arrangements" said
Curtis, coolly.
AYE, and in quick order, too, for the
house is burning down." and in truth was
in some concern.
well we meet as soon as possible at No.
2 Broadway" said Acton.
Just so,' replied 1. Curtis, you know
New York;"
II do"
Then take this pass and come to No. 2
as soon as possible. Acton and 1 go to-
gether."
But what is No. 2? How are we to get
in?" asked Acton.
True, that is important" said 1. What
shall we say to Curtis?"
He hesitated a moment In the meantime
we could hear the cracking of flames
mingled with the cries of the inmates of
the house. Finally he said slowly:
"You will find an old woman there"
IAN old woman" we repeated.
Tell her you have come to meet Robert
Wv are to meet Robert"
And. my friends. if you have any regard
for me, question her not at all; but do as
you say-wait for me-"
Now came Madam Holt rushing in, cry
ing that the house was falling about our
ears. Behind her was her crazed husband.
Holt. you say you nave money here"
said Curtis.
81? l, money? no, not a cent, as the good
God knows!" screamed the frantic man.
Fear not, man! Go and fetch it and we
will make a sortie and charge through
these men. There be but five of them
now"
'Oh, my house, my house, I'm deadi I'm
ruinedi' cried the distracted man, c~Iapping
his hands to his head as he hurried away.
lone word more" said Curtis. THAT
man who was killed in the other room is
one of the two WI suspect. Mayhap he