Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-04-19

nc SPmDldnCe OF u CarnlNOTOuS am
nal. He bounded sideways towards
he wall Of the library, picked up the
writing-desk, and barricaded himself
behind It. In the same second he
produced a small shining article from
his waistcoat pocket. and shouted, In
/ voice now cracked with rage:
Stand back all Of you. You may
shoot me, will not be arrested :"
Winter, swearing. scrambled from
the floor. Robert, too. threw off the
Yelling servant, and rose to his feet.
Alarmed not only by the curious en-
try made by David Hume and Hold
On. but also by the racket in the
library, other servants were now
clamoring al the locked door, for
Holden he'd slipped his left hand be-
hind him and turned the key. Brett
similarly closed the window. They
were five TO one but the one seemed
20 defy them.
That be blowed for tale!"
roared the Infatuated detective,
whose blood was fired by the manner
In which he had been floored. 81 ar
res' you in the Kings name for the
murder OF Sir Alan Hume. Frazer.
and | warn YOU"
Robert Hume Frazer waited for no
preliminary explanation OF an Off
ciul character He wanted to feel
that mans bones crack under his
grasp. He had the strong mans am
bition to close with an opponent
worthy OF his thews and sinews.
Without any warning. he made for
the Japanese. who seemed to wait his
oncoming with singular equanimity.
though otherwise quivering with
baked hate
But Brett had seen something that
aroused a lightning-like suspicion.
Twice had the Japanese looked at
small, shining thing in his hand, as
though to make sure it was there.
So the barrister was Just in time to
grasp Roberts shoulder and hold
him back.
NO" he cried, you must not
touch him. command It. He can
not escape"
Then let me have go at him
fret "rowled Frazer, whose face
7'r Win unSsiOn
ono, no. Leave him to me. Win
ter, do you hear me? Stand back, I
say"
Brett's imperative tone brooked
no disobedience. Thus. in a segment
OF circle, the FIVE closed the one
against the wall--Ooma barricaded
by the table. the others ready to de-
feat any stratagem he might endeav-
or 70 put IN force.
Now listen to me, Coma" said the
barrlster sternly. You must drop
that thing you have in your right
hand. You must hold both your
hands high above your head. If you
move either OF them again will
shoot you. II you do not obey me
before I count five I will shoot you.
One. Two. Three!--'
The Japanese. gasping a horrible
sort OF sob. three times plunged the
instrument he held into his left arm.
Then he flung 1t straight at Robert
One would have thought his venge-
ance would -, directed against Brett,
whom he must have credited by this
time with his capture.
No he singled out Hume-Frazer
for his last attack. The instrument
struck button on Roberts coat and
fell to the floor, where it lay twisted
out Of shape by the force Of the i'm
pact.
It was a hypodermic syringe
Again Coma uttered that weird
cry.
This is the end" he said. You
have not beaten me. 1t is Fate"
He folded his arms and looked at
them. A change came over hts face.
He was no longer tiger at bay, but
human being, calm, dignified, al
most impressive
Il arrest YOU" began Winter.
you fool" laughed the japanese.
with a quiet contempt In his tone. Il
shall be dead in twenty minutes.
That syringe contained snake poison,
the undiluted venom OF the KARAT.
Put away your pistols. They are not
wanted"
Quite nonchalantly ne leaned
back against the bookcase that lined
the wall. He turned his eyes to Rob
ert.
you have the luck of your race"
he said. III that point had reached
your skin no human skill could
have saved you. AS 1t is, you are
spared. and l must go. The same
blood flows In our veins. yet you are
my enemy. l wish I could once get
my fingers round your throat before
my strength fails"
Come from behind that table and
try" was the quick rejoinder.
Coma made to accept the cha!-
lenge. but Brett interviewed
IF you are telling the truth" he
said. you can spend your brief re-
naming span OF life to better pur-
pose than In a mad combat with one
who has done you no harm. Where
Is Capella?"
x Killed him." was the cool reply.
The footmAn. who had slowly re-
gained his senses. uttered . groan of
horror BY this time several men,
not alone house servants. but gar
deners. KrOoans, and others, had
gathered on the lawn.
Send away that slave" cried
Coma impatiently, and tell those
others to go to their kennels This
ia no place for such"