Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-09-08
CHAPTER XNvI.
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| Overpowered as he WAS. Godfrey
lIsysshe struggled desperately but strug
| gled i'm vain. He was a strong man,
| but he recognized that he was in the
! hands of one stronger, and that in
t his present position rinioned to his
bed With q zip on his throat that told
not only of iron muscle but of a deadly
| purpose. he was no match fol his as
/ sailant.
| While gaspins for ;,ir. for Il mouthful
of which he Mould have given all the
world, the blood rushed in an angry
and outraged torrent to his brain,
| l.ut in the midst of the cXcruciating
! pain this caused came a subtle un-
consciousness. until the intending n,ur-
deier, believing his work To be done.
lelaxcd his lienidsh hold; when
marshalling his forces he should strive
to free himself from and overcome this
YOU'D he assassin.
Accordingly he promptly ceased to
struggle and apparently lay inert,
nervelcss and lifeless. For all that 1T
! seemed an eternity before the hands re-
leased their grip of steel; but no SOON
ei' had they done so than with sudden
and desperate movement on which life
or death depended lie wrenched himself
from the knees planted on his chest.
and with Il bound was stading by his
bedside. With his first free breath he
shouted at the pitch of his voice again
and again for help. while AT the same
time he threw himself into an attitude
mere attacked AS however, he was
now alert and on his feet he feared
| 70 man.
The expected attempt was not made
ON him, but still wary he listened i'm
lcnly that he might Judge of the di
rection f.om which the assault might
come, whiic at the same time he edged
slowly round the wall until he came
to the chimney piece. when seizing the
bell knob he rang violently.
No other sound but that of the bell.
startling the silence. could be heard.
y movement of his arm knocked a
match box from the chimney piece.
and picking it up he quickly struck
Il light to find he was alone With
candle in hand he looked under his
bed, behind the window curtains, in the
shadow of the wardrobe, but could not
see the man who had attempted his
life. glance at the table showed that
!, The jewel box was missing. In sec
ond he was In the passage outside
! shouting once more for help.
i An instant later and the door oppo-
site his own was flung open, when
! Dunstan partially dressed. the waver-
/ ing flame of his candle showing the
hurried out, and seeing Godfrey
paused to say. good God. What is the
matter? What is it?'
Il have been robbed and the thief
strove to murder me-
To murder you?" cried Dunstan, his
4 terror deepening.
Alarmed by the ringing of the bell,
the butler, backed by the men servants,
all of whom slept In this wing. rushed
| frightenedly into the corridor at one
end, while at the other Urbano was
seen to leave his room and come
stealthily forward, in no way startled
his piercing eyes fixed watchfully and
| inquisingly on Godfrey.
! Hurried explanations were given to
the bewildered butler and his followers
who stood staring and scared.
Robbery and murder in the house
again sir?" Roberts mutttered, looking
round in fright.
Ulbano had stood still in front Of
| Godfrey, to whom he raised his liyid
face that seemed full of mockery. on
the instant an idea struck the barrister,
| who wishing to have confirmation OF
his belief that the thief and would be
assassin was an inmate of the house,
and not one who had broken into it
called out to Roberts to go downstairs
| Immediately and see if all the doors
and windows We're locked and boltcd.
| Willing, nj the Same time to admit
20. .,'I .opDe.y lilie,it nave peeii com
ii''easu Ivy :. pulslal, ne resolved 10 take
=, - o3 ,,o',. oi nieh WIN n'ln ana search
we 'iouse. as ne was h'lrraedly giving
u,,e'i ei.,iops, .le count, M slippers
a , ulessil's Gown, VAS seen at the
aoof OF nus bedroom some way down
LIZ, LIZ .ell!li:u look on ms race.
nis ha ..ll;, ou.stlelcheu as ne telt his
NY, Wy, VIM" MI W. Solce or distress he
asnea' VIII WIN, - .lls, Wnat mas hap
peneu' WIN ~ one leii me
Grpano started !, from grim reverie.