Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-01-05
aloud. mT6ank voa SIR

u
turned the first corner, and waited in
the apothecary's shop until Vance
came in behind him.
out with it. Baker-out with it.
quick; what has happened?"
'Shl That man is in Pedro's
Place right now; Hi saw I'm e., in
just a minute ago. The one HI told
you about last night; e's been prowl'
In around ere for two or three
days"
! Come on. let's get him" Vance
started to rush out, but Baker held
him back.
No, wait a minute; telephone the
station"
He might get away; you and I can
take him"
But Hi can't let those chaps at the
'otel know who Hi am; we'd better"
IN go get him myself"
Before Baker could interfere Vance
had rounded the corner again with his
head down. charging. like the bull
yeariing be had mentioned, towards
Pedro's Place.
For "a hours Vance had been tilt
ing at windmills and chasing shad-
ows; this was the first tangible thing
that had come bis way. and he fairly
itched to get hold OF IT,
Noel Duke was in no amiable frame
of mind himself when he came back
| TO Pedro's Place. He certainly had
none of that Christian spirit which
| prompts a man TO turn the other
cheek. Why he had fallen again into
I VIZ hnl
| knew. He had drifted about the
crowded streets. tossed hlther and
thither as the human currents flowed.
until the surf had cast him up. And
here he was again.
! Miguel. the waiter. nodded genialiv
as to an old Acquaintance. and pulled
back chair Duke shook his head
! speaking few words In Spanish.
Isl. senior" the man replied defer
| entislly. busting around 10 find the
morning paper. which be smoothed out
| carefully on his knee before handing
81 over
But Duke did not look at the pa
per after he got IT, He leaned his
elbow on the window and gazed Al tbe
| motel entrance. not as ~ he were
watching IL. but in utter WEAKNESS OF
soul and body Suddenly he straight
ened up and clenched his hand.
by God. there's Vancei So she ala
come here 60 meet him. and be knows
where She is right now. I'll make
him tell me"
lie sprang mp. and one bound took
him 20 the door. there ne stonped.
/ he still had enough discretion TO know
that he could not afford a brawl-pub-
hcly-drawing attention 90 himself.
Duke half opened the door. then closed
H. changing his mind back and forth.
no ~ won't do. he decided. COM
ing back and taking mp tho paper
asaln. IT IN damned coward-a-''
lie crumplod the paper savareIv IN
his hand and dashed 10 70 the foor
Quick vigorous steps rang along tho
! oanQuette. the cafe door was nun-
open so impotuously that glasses rae
! tied on the table
Woodford Vance stepped I'm. re
/ glanced around the room. sinrlcs his
man OUT, and marched directly to him.
what are you doing. sitting there
watching that house,
Duke did not reply II took him
| SO thoroushly by surprise that any
man should speak in such tone 10
Internationally this man.
Come with me-" Vance CAUGHT
| him roughly by The arm and had made
/ one step toward the door when Duke
struck him. lie stumbled over
chair and fen. but trained athlete as
| no was. came mp instantly.
Duke saw the CLEAN of pistol and
his hand flew TO his hin. In such
emergency men think with the swift
ness OF inspiration. and even the man
from Devii-May-Care had had enough
OF turmoil
AS he stumbled Vance turned boIf
round; his back was toward the
other. Agile as a panther. Duke
sprang upon him and caught the
wrist that held the weapon. They
grappled. wavered. struggled against
the wall. among The tables and chairs.
but Duke held that surly weapon AMI
kept IL pointing toward the ceiling
His own pistol dropped from his
pocket A table crashed beneath their
| double weight
"Sancta Naria," shouted Pedro.
running in from the back room and
lodging back acain even more quick
~. From his position OF safety be-
hind the door he screamed his fran
tie suggestions 90 Miguel and fanny.
who We're trying 10 get behind each
otner-and succeeding Alternately.
In HIS turDings and twstings Duke
caught sight OF the walters.
Here. Miguel" he called. breath
ing very hard. take this pistol"
The walters closed i'm at once. and
between TIE three they made quick
work Of Vance
Miguel wrenched the pistol out OF
Vance's hand and bore It back into
their labyrinth OF a kitchen whore no
human sagacity could have found IT,
Pedro. the valiant reserve. rushed
In. fat and garrulous. and exceeding
wroth. The three Spanlards forced
Vance backward into a chair and left
Duke standing free in the center OF
the room-free to breathe. free to
think.
During the melee when hfs own pis