Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-09-06

and Humphrey felt half mad with him
SELF at MS spy-like conduct. for as he saw
dimly the figure enter. he heard a low,
piteous moan. and saw him throw himself
upon his Knees beside a drapcd coffin. his
hands clasped. and his frame bending
with emotion. as In broken voice be
prayed aloud.
HIS words were incoherent, and but
rev OF the utterances reached the listen
ing mans ears. as he bit his lips with an.
ger, ana then listened with wonder at
what seemed strange revelation Of char
acter.
OhS give me strength he murmured.
swore revenge-on all-for the wrongs
Tor the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to fight
down this weakness-to be-sclf--for
strength-for strcngth-to live-revenge--.
DEATH"
The last word Of these agonizcd utter
ances was still quivering upon the air as
II 1t had been torn from the speakers
breast. when the dimly seen doorway was
suddenly darkened and there was O quick
movement.
Humphrey Armstrong; position was
one which enabled him, faint as was the
light, to see evcrything-the draped cot.
I'm. the kneeling figure bent over 1t, and
great crouching form stealing softly
behind. as IL gathering for a spring.
There was the dull CLEAN of steel up
lifted by the figure bending over the buc-
cancer. Assassination. without doubt.
| The moment of peril had come lightly
as II had been treated. and. stirred to
the heart by the treachery and horror Of
the deed intended. Humphrey sprang
from his place Of concea lment. struck the
buccaneers assailant full in the chest,
and they rolled over together on the tenn
pie Aoord.
Quick, lads. helpr' shouted the man
whom Humphrey had seized, and two
companions rushed in for a general melee
to ensuc at terrible disadvantage, for the
assailants were armed with knives and
those they assailed defensclcss O. to
weapons.
Humphrey knew this to his cost In the
quick struggle which ensued. He had
writhed round as he struggled with the
would.be murderer. and contrivcd to get
upperm0st. when a keen sense Of pain
passing through one Of his arms, made
him loosen his hold for moment, end
the next he was dashed back.
He sprang mp. though. to seize his %.
sailant. stung by the pain into At Of saw.
age rage. when, as he claspcd an enemy,
be found that It was not his first antago.
mist. but lesser man. with whom he
closed Hercely just as the fellow was
striving to get out Of the doorway-a pur.
pose he effected. dragging Humphrey
with him.
The passage was darker than the inner
temple. where hoarse painting and the
sounds Of contention were still going on,
0aths. curses and commands uttered In O
savage voice to "Give 1t him now!'-
snow strike. you fool!"-"Curse him, he's
like an cel!'-and the like came confus.
eddy through the doorway. as. smartins
with pain and grinding his teeth with
rage. Humphrey struggled on In the pas
sage. savagely determined to retain this
one a prisoner. az he fought to get the
mastery Of the knife.
How II oil occurred was more than he
could 'aftcrward clearly arrange In his
own mind: what be could recall was that
the pain weakened him. and the man
with whom he struggled wrcnchcd his
left arm free. snatched the knife he held
from his right hand. and would have
plunged It into Humphreys breast had
not the latter struck him a sharp blow
upward In the face 30 vigorously that the
knife fell tinkling on the ground, and the
struggle was resumed upon more equal
terms.
1t was q matter Of less than q min.
ute. during which Humphrey fought less
for life than to master his assailant and
keep him q prisoner. They had been
down twice, tripping over the stone.
strewn pavement, and once Humphrey
had been forced against the wall, but by
a sudden spring he had driven his oppo.
nent backward. and they were strug.
Cling In the middle OF the opening. when
q wild shrek rank out from the inner
temple-a cry which seemed to curdle the
young officers blood-and this was fol.
lowed by rush Of someone escaping.
NH)s retreat was only witnessed by one.
for the struggle was continued ON the
floor. The two adversaries. locked In q
tight embrace. str0ve to reach their feet,
and. painting and weak. Humphrey had
nearly succeeded In 80 doing. when his
foe forced him backward. and he fell to
cling to the ragged stoncwork.
For as he was driven back the flooring
seemed to crunbc away beneath his
feet; there was a terrible jerk. and he
found himself hanging by bis hands. his
enemy clinglng TO him still, and the
weight upon his muscles seeming az IL
II would tear them apart. In the hurry
and excitement Humphrey could hardly
comprehend his position for the moment.
The next he understood It too well, for
the stone which had given way fell with
a hideous. echOing noise. which came
from terrible distance below
Almost In total darkness. his hands