Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-03

and upon this fact his whole future de-
pended, although he was far from sus-
pecting such an improbable thing at
the time
Il tell you he's going on that bark
to San Francisco" said the taller of the
two men, eagerly. Hes bound for the
Klondike, and he must have fat roll
with him. | heard him say he would
buy his outfit out there. We can lay
for him on the dock when he is going
on board"
Its risky job" replied the other,
nervously.
"Oh, what's the matter with you'll"
was the angry rejoinder.
Nothing, but we take great risks. I
don't like it,"
There's no risk at all" urged the
other. IAN we have to do Is just tap
him on the head and. go through him.
The whole thing won't take minute,
and we can be at the West end before
he knows what struck him. I'm going
10 have his stuff, and II you want to go
back on me. III"
The rest of the sentence was indis-
tinguishable. The word Klondike had
naturally attracted Toms attention,
and he had involuntarily strained to
catch the mems conversation. but he
|, felt a sudden thrill of horror as he
realized the full import of VIVA, he had
just heard.
What could he do? That the men
were planning robbery, if not MUIR
der, was evident. He could not warn
the intended victim, for be had no
means of finding or knowing him, and
10 lose sight of the men to find an
officer was out Of the question. Then
the athletic young fellow set his teeth
and shrugged his broad shouldels,
while under his gloves n pair OF hard
fists balled up involuntarily.
To some ii might have occurred to
pay no attention to the matter, but
Tom Scott was Of different caliber 1t
was true that he had seen little of the
great world. but he was brave to q
fault, and nature had added a tall,
well-knit frame to this gift. He de-
! termined 10 prevent the villains from
! accomplishing their purpose if it lay
In his power, and had no doubt of his
ability to do so.
Fearful that the rnen might turn and
see him, he slackened his pace and al
lowed them TO gain several yards on
him, keeping close to the buildings
himself and hoping each moment to
see an officer.
But none appeared, and soon the two
thugs turned into dark, narrow alley
way, which led TO one OF the wharves,
end were lost to view.
Tom was in a quandary. To venture
, Into the place was to invite attack from
the villains, and he decided to wait II
@ convenient doorway until the in
tended victim came along or On off,
GER should appear to whom he could
tell his story.
! few yards to the right he found a
, sheltered recess in front of block. and
/ took up his station, keeping a sharp
lookout in the direction Of the saloon.
where he naturally supposed the man
was enjoying himself. A short dis
lance away street lamp shone dimly
through the falling snow and threw a
broad band Of light on the sidewalk.
across which no one could pass without
being seen by him.
1t was a situation to try the stoutest
: nerves, for Tom was unarmed. and the
man he was trying to save might be
intoxicated, while the two robbers
would surely be provided with all the
tools OF their trade. A dozen schemes
flashed through his mind as he
crouched in the shadow, only to be dis
carded as useless. The time dragged
slowly enough, but his resolution did
not falter
Suddenly dark figure came stag.
gering across the lighted space and
Toms heart gave bound, Was this
his man. Would he have sense enough
10 understand his danger?
No, the drunken sailor lurched heavily
along and turned up a side street n
short distance beyond the aneyway,
where the men were hidden.
Another and still another followed al
Intervals, bat none paused on their way
and Tom began TO wonder il his ear,
had not played him false. Tie was be.
ginning to waver when n Sigh; crunch
ing noise At his left caused him to turn
quickly IN time to see the form of
man disappear in the alleyway, having
approached from the opposite direction
while Tom was looking up the avenue.
What was 20 be done?
lie stood for a moment with his heart
beating unanimously and every nerve
hngling. Then from the dark onerinp
came muified cry, followed by an
oath and the sound of 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 a few Yards he
emerged into 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
Dy heavy blow from a black Jack,