Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1904-02-18
CHAPTER TX.

/ W aAS hhMh&N Va ANNkuAN HIS ntHMN Vi lu0
danger which ueemsd hanging over him.
II was not an enviable position, but his
coolneas did not desert him. Had II not
been for the changing Of bolts below and
for the careful locking up OF the house
he would have been disposed 70 regard
the arrival Of Thomas EaatbeiI and hln
companion In friendly spirit, despite the
scowls with which they favored him and
the anxious faces Of the women
| Hanged II didn't think sor' exelaim.
ed Thomas EAstbeli. alias vIEEobIni. 70
the erowned-head patronage department: /:
$50 this is why you have been creeping
about the Saxe.Gotha, IL it7 Well, what
have ] done. that you come into my crib
In this way? What have you got TO
sayf" he roared forth In a louder key.
| That you keep too big FIRE for the
time Of the year. and that II isn't good
for your healths," said Reuben, In a quiet
tone Of voice. IL have come TO see your
sister"
well that's uncommon kind Of yon."
"Tom," said Sarah, at this junctnre.
"thia Is Mr. Culwick--young Mr. Cul-
wlck--our second cousin. You have
heard mo speak Of him. You must not
attempt In any way 10 interfere with
him."
what business has no with your Why
can't he mind his own business and let
you .alonc r. cried Tom. whats this
second'cousn chap to usT What good Is
hef What notice has he ever taken Of
US til nowf Hang me! I don't believe
he's cousin mt all. but policeman try
Ing to work M case against people more
honest than hisself."
II came 10 help your sister"
"Oh, that's Il! Eh?"
The interrogative was addressed 10 the
man looking over his shoulder, who had
tonchcd his arm and whispered in his
ear, keeping his eyes hxed upon Reuben
meanwhile
"My friend remarks" said Mr.. East.
bell. with u grin smile. that II you have
come TO help the family. perhaps You viii
be kind enough 10 prove your words by
| doing thN handsome 10 rs people out 81
luck"
you mean give you money! Then.
gentlemen am sorry TINT ! can't help
you"
"Rut you must" growed forth the
man in the background, who had recent
ly whispered to Tom Eastbell; you've
walked IN without leave after the gal. and
you'll pay your footing before you go.
u think act. aad Iteubeu Culwck.
Then you'll have to STOP cred the
man. "'rhe house locked mp for the
night, and we can't afford to part with
Tou: can we. mate7"
Am I 10 understand that I'm a pris.
onerf" inquired Reuben. sternly.
There's men down stairs who say
you're n spy on them" said Tom. in fur
ther explanation. "and they're Irish. and
soon rilcd."
Il am not afraid Of them"
ASK MY sister; p'raps you'll take her
word Sally" he said. will the Peter.
sons stand as much of this man as |
haveT
"ThCy will not come up here cried
Sarah
"They're sitting ON the stairs waiting"
said Tom, land they will know all about
that he Is a detective. What now?" as
cold air rushed in, aud Mrs. Eastbell te-
gan to cough herself to pieces.
There's mischief meant, cried Sarah;
II shan't leave this window while Mr..
Culwick remuins and will scream my
heart out IL yon touch him This Is
dreadful house, sir" she said to Reuben,
with dreadful men In Il. BE on your
guard"
"Come back from that window" roarcd
Tom.
II will do nothing Of the kind" cried
Sarah. standing there erect and defiant;
"till Mr.. Culwick is allowed TO quit this
place I'll not move away"
Don't You see how you're making your
Rister-in-law cough. you hruteT' said
Thomas Eastbcll III we were the Forty
Thieves you couldn't. make more fuss,
Why"
| He was Siding step by step toward his
sister as he spoke. when Reuben Culwick
crossed the room in one stride. and thrust
him fOrcihly away before his panther-lke
spring could fssten on her. Ii was Il hold
move, assuming the offensive In this fash
Ion. hut Reuben had grown angry Mt re-
straint and II was the time to act or
never. Reuhen's thrust sent him stag
gering with violence against his friend,
who. taken off his guard, received Toms
bullet-head between his eyes, and fell
backward into the passage, with Tom on
the top of him. The clear doorway sug.
gested temporary expedlent aud Reu-
ben closed the door quickly. locked It
with the key ,and set his foot against the
lower portion of the woodwork
"There'll he murder done now," said
Mrs Easthell. wringing her hands; ooh,
you fool to come to this place! Call out
you'll give 'em money or they can have
your watch--say something. They're
looming up the stairs"
WHO are theg2" asked Reuben, stern.
ly now
"Coinersv
He could hear the trampling rush Of
heavy feet up the stairs, and then the
door creaked and shook with the heavy
pressure of shoulders from without.
Sarah Easthell was as good as her word.
Her watchful dark eyes had observed
the door vibrating, and a scream Of extra
ordinary shrlllness and volume startled
the echoes of Potter's Court,
"Oh! don't, Sally1it's only their fun,
perhaps" cried Mrs. Eastbell; but Sally
screamed again with fifty horsepower,
and then swept from the window sill
whole collection of flower pots, which
descended with tremendous crash on to
the paved footwax below The pressure
against the door ceased, aE though the
people in the house had stopped to lis
ten; the windows of other houses in
Potter's Court began opening rapidly;
there were voices shouting out innumer-
able questions; there were three or four
shrill whistles, and then the ominous
crack of rattle, followed by another