Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-28

be fastened before they went any further.
He led the way as far as the water-cooler,
where he took another draught of water, for
everything was becoming more uncertain
around him.
II am afraid you are badly hurt, my boy
said the fireman, as he supported Bryan to
chair.
II feel faint, gasped the sufferer, as he
sank into the chair. 1.-TWO men in the front
basement" he added, with desperate effort.
Poor Bryan had felt himself going, and he
had said all he could to inform his compan:-
Ions OF the situation in the store. The next
moment he tainted away, and would have
fireman had not caught him. The officer
nag often been in the store, and he sug-
Tgested that the boy be carried into the private
ofnnee, where there was lounge. :,
Inc two men bore him there, and placed
glass of water, with which he sprinkled his
face 5s1,, and then began to rub his temples. :.
ms young fellow has been in an awful
n9ght said the fireman, as he pointed to
the swelling on the face Of his patient. He
may die on our hands, and we ought to have
q doctor at once"
But I must look after these burglars"
Iiephed the policeman. "He said there were
Two Two IN the front store, and one in a box IN
tne basement. We need more help. 90
men,"
.fhe fireman hastened to comply with this
request.
The officer went out into the store and
glanced toward the front of it. BY the light
OF OF the gas that was burning all night, he, saw
reach tied to post and Lon Blinker lying
on the floor. The latter appeared to be
STRUGGLING. though the observer could not de-
termine his condition.
He returned tn Rrvap yubo looked aa
though he was dead. He put more water on
his face and continued to chafe his temples
until the fireman returned.
He had sent man to the station. and as
sistance would arrive in a few minutes.
Leaving Bryan to the care of the fireman,
the officer went to the front of the store.
Lon was beginning to recover from his ex-
haustion: and he was struggling to release
himself from his bonds.
The policeman went up to him, and with
his foot turned him over on his face.
mo use, my man." said he. "You can't
help yourself, and you might as well keep
Lon Blinker looked up at the stout guar
dian of the city's peace. He saw the uni
form, and heaving a deep sigh, ne gave up
the battle as lost 1t was useless to struggle
any more for the "spooney'' had finished his
work by calling in the police.
AS there was nothing that required imme-
date action. the officer walked up to the
post to which Peach Hunter was secured.
The treacherous watchman was utterly. de-
and the city might have been
searched in vain for more miserable human
being than he was at that moment.
"You don't look like very savage burg
ar" said the patrolman, as he surveyed the
prisoner.
"T'm not burglar" whinned Peach. Il
am one of the clerks in the store"
"Oho! Then you were captured by the
burglars and tied up there to keep you from
giving an alarm" exclaimed the ponceman,
who knew that some of the clerks slept in
,he store.
Peach wished the case was as stated, but
lie said nothing.
The officer was on the point of releasing
,im when he heard knocking at the back
loor.
Promising to return in a few minutes, ne
fastened to admit the other policemen he
lad sent for.