The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-02-18
CHAPTER TX.

for the careful locking up of the house
he would have been disposed to regard
the arrival of Thomas Ehstbell and his
companion in friendly spirit, despite the
scowls with which they favored him and
the anxious faces of the women.
Hanged If didn't think sol" exclaim-
ed Thomas Eastbell, alias Vizzobini, TO
the crowned,head patronage department;
so this is why you have been creeping
about the Saxe-Gotha, is it? Well, what
have done, that you come into my crib
in this way2 What have you got to
say?" he roared forth in a louder key.
That you keep too big a fire for the
time of the year, and that it isn't good
for your healths," said Reuben, in quiet
tone of voice. II have come to see your
sister"
well, that's uncommon kind of you."
Tom" said Sarah, at this juncture
this Is Mr.. Culwick-youDg Mr.. Cul-
wick--our second cousin. You have
heard me speak of him. You must not
attempt in any way to interfere with
him."
What business has he with you? Why
can't he mind his own business and let
you alone?" cried Tom. "What's this
second-cousin chap to us? What good is
he2 What notice has he ever taken of
US till now? Hang me! l don't believe
he's a cousin at all, but policeman try
ing to work up case against people more
honest than hisself."
II came to help your sister"
"Oh, that's it! EhY'
The interrogative was addressed to the
man looking over his shoulder, who had
touched his arm and whispered in his
ear, keeping his eyes fixed upon Reuben
meanwhile.
my friend remarks" said Mr.. East
bell, with grim smile, ''that If you have
come to help the family, perhaps you will
be kind enough to prove your words by
doing the handsome to us people out of
luck"
"You mean give you money? Then,
gentlemen, | am sorry that | can't help
you"
"But you must" growled 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
Il think not" sad Reuben Culwck.
"Then you'll have to stop" cred the
man. "The house locked up for the
night, and we can't afford to part with
you; can we, mateY
cam l to understand that I'm a pris-
oner2" inquired Reuben, sternly.
"There's men down stairs who say
you're a spy on them" said Tom, In fur
ther explanation, "and they're Irish, and
soon riled."
II 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
"They win not come up here" cried
Sarah.
They're sitting on the stairs waiting"
said Tom, "and they will know all about
this fellow. They are as sure as | am
that he is detective. What now?" as
cold air rushed in and Mrs. Eastbell te-
gan to cough herself to pieces.
"There's mischief meant" cried Sarah;
81 shan't leave this window while Mr.
Culwick remains, and | will scream my
heart out if you touch him. This is a
dreadful house, SIR" she said to Reuben,
with dreadful men in it. Be on your
guard"
"Come back from that window" roared
Tom.
81 will do nothing Of the kind" cried
Sarah, standing there erect and defiant;
'till Mr. Culwick is allowed to quit this
place III not move away"
Don't you see how you're making your
sister-in-law cough, you brutep said
Thomas Eastbell IF we were tile 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 fOrcibly away before his panther-like
spring could fasten on her. 1t was a hold
move, assuming the offensive in this fash
ion, but Reuben had grown angry at re-
straint, and it was the time to act or
never. Reuben's thrust sent him stag
gering with violence against his friend
who, taken off his guard. received Toms
bullet-head between his eyes, aud fell
backward into the passage, with Tom on
the top of him. The clear doorway sug-
gested temporary expedient, and Reu-
ben closed the door quickly, locked it
with the key and set his foot against the
lower portion of the woodwork.
"There'l be murder done now," said
Mrs Eastbell wringing her hands; "oh,
you fool to come to this place! Call out
you'll give 'em money or they can have
your watch-say something. They're
coming up the stairs"
"Who are they?" asked Reuben, stern
ly now,
"Coiners!
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 us her word.
, Her watchful dark eyes had observed
the door vibrating, and a scream of extra
ordinary shrillness and volume startled
the echoes of Potter's Court.
"Oh! don't, Sally-it's only their fun.
perhaps" cried Mrs Eastbell; but Sally
screamed again with fifty horsepower.
and then swept from the window sill n
whole collection of flower pots. which
descended with tremendous crash on TO
the paved footway below. The pressure
against the door ceased, rs 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 a rattle, followed by another
in response, and at a little distance.
You are safe" said Sarah; 'the police
are coming"
Presently the street door below was
being unfastened in response to solemn
knocks without, and then the ponderous,
unmstakable boots of the metropolitan
force were heard clamping up the stairs.
Reuben unlocked the room door. and
Thomas Eastbell, white as a ghost, crawl
ed in on his hands and knees, took a har-
leQuin's dive into bed, and drew the tat
tered coverlet to his chin. The burly
figures of three policemen were in the
room in an instant or two afterward.
NAN 4hav xrbaffs tho r,,x- A.