Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-02-10
Copyright, 1899, by Herbert S. Stone 4 Co.
CHAPTER III.-CoNr1NrEn

CHAPTER III.-CoNr1NUED.
It was an indiscreet answer, for my
companion evidently Interpreted it as
meaning that was not altogether un-
aware of the fact that steps were to
have been taken by the syndicate to
prevent Inspector Marten from paying
his promised visit.
But why should you suppose you
were being watched at Southend?" he
answered, suspiciously.
II didn't suppose" I answered; II
only wanted to guard against observa-
ton. But, as was saying when you
interrupted me, swan out instead of
rowing, and, being bit cold after the
long swim, l asked our host there to
give me drink before we got to BUSH
ness. He gave me one and was, going
to help himself, when suddenly, with
out a word of warning, he jumped I'D
as II to make murderous attack upon
me, and then fell dead, as you saw.
killed by his own fury. However.
there it is, and it can't be helped; so
now I think I will bid you goodnight
and get ashore"
mot without a drink, at all events. !"
said the councillor, with a singularlv
mirthless smile. This is really a most
unfortunate and unhappy affair. al
though I'm not bit surprised at the
sequel, for I've warned our friend there
not once, but dozen times. that his
passion would cost him his life one
day. But he was hospitable man.
and, as his friend, stand in the place
of host to you; so you must allow me
to do the honors"
For all his protested politeness there
was look in his eyes as he spoke
Which convinced me that he meant to
do me mischief. If he believed that
was in possession of no dangerous in
formation, he would surely have let
me go about my business unmolested:
but his pressing me to drink foreboded
no good, and when thought of the
1ndia-rubber ball wished heartily
that were safe on shore again. The
. honest truth is that the strain to which
l had been subjected was beginning
to tell upon me and that my nerve was
failing. I was possessed with a great
desire to be done with the whole bust
ness and out in the open, so with a civil
THANK you; I won't take any more
whisky tonight" I made a move to-
wards the door,
He stepped forward hastily to inter-
cept me and we stood for a moment al
most breast to breast, each looking the
other in the face with eyes of menace.
will you allow me to pass, please?"
said, with freezing politeness.
Not till / have satisfied myself
about your share in this business he
protested with equal determination,
pointing as he spoke to the corpse, and
advancing one leg, as if to plant that
limb more securely, and thus more ef-
tectually TO bar the way. In so doing
ne set his heavy heel right upon my
naked foot, and with such force that
the scar is there to this day.
Screaming with pain and maddened
beyond endurance, struck out at him
with my clenched fist, catching him
fairly between the eyes, and with such
force that the back of his head can
noned against the door with a bang
that set all the crockery on board rat
thing like housewives china closet
after an earthquake shock.
To say the fur flew during the
next half minute would be-in view Of
my ucclothed condition-an inaccurate
metaphor; but all l know is that
was for that space of time as uncer-
tain Nhich of me was I and which Of
me was he, as if the pair of us had
been ball of string in the claws of a
kitten. For one moment we untangled
ourselves, so to speak, to get breath;
and l we'll remember with what Joy
l caught sight of the livid, ugly lump
between his eyes where had struck
him. The next instant we were at it
again, rolling over and over upon the
floor like wild cats and striving each
to throttle the life out of the other.
No one who has not fought for his life
stark naked, as did then, would be-
leve how much I was handicapped by
the absence of clothing. There is not
much protection, one would think, in
coat, waistcoat and trousers; yet with
out them I felt as a medieval war
rlor might without his armour. The
very buttons on my enemy's clothing
fought for him. They were like so
many claws that scored and scratched
my skin; and when, while we were
struggling, he got the upper berth, and
knelt over me, with his knee pressed
against my breastbone, felt as if the
chest of me was scarce stronger than
a cardboard box. was well-nigh gone
that time, for he reached over and got
such a vise-like grip upon my throat
that my eyes stood out on their stalks,
and my tongue was lolling from my
head like thirsty dogs. But if my
lack of clothing disadvantaged me in
one way it advantaged me in another,
for no eel could have been more slip
perry to hold than I. Straining ever'
fort, I managed to roll him off, and
upon his back, and wriggling from his
grasp, sprang to my feet on the look
out for a weapon. He caught at my
legs to throw me, but snatching up the
heavy whisky decanter by the neck,
whirled it aloft, and dealt him blow
4 behind the ear that put an end both to
him and to the fight. At first thought
he was only stunned, buttwhen I found
that his heart had indeed ceased to
beat land small wonder, for had hit
him with terrific force, and upon a
B vulnerable spot), stripped him, and,
opening the brown bag, took out the
weighted, chain with which he had
meant to sink the body of his victim.
Then I dashed the pair Of them-the
man who was IN have heen murdered