Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-05-04
10000 English

The table caught them fun and sqaGre.
$4,000 English" -
''No. no." whispered Antolnette In the
lowest Of whispers. They are treach-
erous."
That seems handsome said I. rec
onnoitoring through the chink- They
wero all close together. Just outside the
door now.
had probed the hearts OF the ruff
fans, and 1 did not need Antoinette's
warning. They meant to rush" me
as soon as I was engaged In talk
give me a minute TO consider" said
I, and thought I heard a laugh out
side.
1 turned to Antoinette.
stand up close to the wall out OF
the line OF fire from the door," whls-
pered.
What are you going to doG" she
asked in fright.
you'll see" said I.
I took up the little iron table. II was
not very heavy for a man OF my
strength, and held It by tie legs. The
Cop. protruding in front Of me. made a
complete screen for my head and body.
fastened my closed lantern to my
belt and put my revolver IN a handy
pocket Suddenly I saw the door move
ever 50 slightly. Perhaps Il was the
wind; perhaps 1t was a hand trying &c
outside.
drew back as far "a could from
the door holding the table ln the posi-
ton that 1 have described. Then 1
called out:
Gentlemen, 1 accept your Offer, re-
lying on your honor. II you will open
tho door
open it yourself" said Detchsrd.
1T opens outward" said l. stand
back a little, gentlemen, or shall hit
you when I open IT,"
1 went aud fumbled with the latch.
Then 1 stole back to my place on tip
toe.
Il can't open IT, cried. "The latch
has caught"
Tut I'll open itl" cried Detchard.
Nonsense. Bersouin. Why notg Are
you afraid OF one manYr
I smiled 90 myself. An instant later
the door was flung back. The CLEAN OF
a lantern showed me- the three close to-
gcthcr outside, their revolvcrs leveled.
With shout I charged at 10Y utmost
pace across the summer house and
through tAe doorway. Three shots rang
out and battered into my shield. An
other momrut and 7 leaped out. and the
table caught them FUN and square. and
In tumhl.ng swearing. struggling
mass they and I and that brave table
rolled down the steps OK the summer
house 20 DO, ground below. Antoinette
Gle Mauban shrickcd, but rose TO my
feet laughing aloud.
De Gautet and Bersonin lay Ike men
stunned Detch8rd was under the Ia
ble, but as I rose he pushed IL from
nina aud fired again. 1 raised my re-
volyer ana took snap shot. / heard
him curse, ana then 7 ran like q hare.
laughing ass I went, past the summer
house and along by the wall. I heard
steps behind me, and. turning round.
/ fred again Tor luck. The steps ceas-
ed.
"Please God" said I. "she told me
the truth about the ladder" for the
wall was high and topped with iron
spikes
Yes, there Ii was. I was up and over
IN minute. Doubling back. 7 saw
the horses. Then / heard q shot II
was Sapt He had heard us and was
battling and raging with the locked
gate. hammering il and firing into the
keyhole Ike n man possessed. He had
quite forgotten that he was not TO take
part In the fight Whereat / laughed
again and said as elapped him on the
shoulder:
Come home TO bed. old chap. I've
got the finest tea table story that ever
you heardw
He started and cried, You're safer
But moment later he added:
and what the devil are you laugh
Ing atT'
-Four gentlemen round a tea table"
bald /, laughing still, for 1T had been
nncommonly ludicrous to see the for
midable three altogether routed and
scattered with no more deadly weapon
than an ordinary tea table.
Moreover, you will observe that I
had honorably kept my word and not
fred till they did.