Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-03-15
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dppIOdCH III InlS way, unconscious that
he was watched, until l should thrust
my pistol into his face.
His arms grew tired when he was
about ten feet from me and he
dropped the lantern and hammer to
his side and swore under his breath
impatiently.
Then he began again with greater
zeal. AS he came nearer | studied his
face in the lanterns light with inter.
est His hat was thrust back, and I
could see his jaw hard set under his
blond beard.
he took a step nearer, ran his eyes
over the wall and resumed his tap
ping, beginning close to the ceiling
In settling himself for the new series
of strokes he swayed toward me
slightly and could hear his hard
breathing. | was celebrating how
best to throw myself upon him. but An
wavered he stepped back, swore at
his i'll luck and flung the hammer to
the ground.
"Thanks!" l shouted, leaping for.
ward and snatching the lantern.
Stand just where you are!"
With the revolver in my right hand
and the lantern held high in nv left
! enjoyed his utter CONSERVATION as
my voiced roared in the corridor.
IT'S too bad we meet under such
strange circumstances, Morgan" I
said. I'D begun to miss you; but |
suppose you've been sleeping in the
daytime to gather strength for your
night prowling."
You're a fool" he growled. He
was recovering from his FRIGHT
knew it by the CLEAN of his teeth in
his yellow beard. His eyes. too. were
moving restlessly about. He undoubt.
edly knew the house better than did.
and was considering The best means of
escape. | did not know what to do
with him now that | had him at the
point OF pistol; and in my ignorance
OF his motives and my vague surnlise
as to the agency back of him. was
filled with unoorto;ntv
You needn't hold that thing quite
so near" he said, staring at me coolly
Pm glad it annoys you, Morgan" I
said. 81 want you to tell me how You
got in here"
He laughed.
i came in by the kitchen window.
II you must know. | got in before
your solemn jack-of-alI-trades locked
II up. and | walked down to the end
OF the passage thele"-he indicated
the direction with slight jerk of his
head-"and slept until it was time to
go to work"
III you can't lie better than that
you needn't try again. Face about
now, and march,"
l put new energy into my tone and
ne turned and walked before me down
the corridor in the direction from
which ne had come. We we're I dare
say, a pretty pair-he tramping dog.
gedly before me-, | following at his
heels with his lantern and my pistol
Not so fast | admonished sharp
ly.
Excuse me- he replied mockingly.
he was no common rogue; felt
the quality In him with a certain ad.
mlraton for his scoundrelly talents
continued at his heels, pOking the
muzzle OF the revolver against his
PACK from time to time to keen him
assured Of my presence-a device that
was to regret a second later.
When We were, | should Judge
ABOUT ten yards from the end of the
corridor' at that moment | prodded
nim with the point of the revolver
ne Tell backward against me, threw |
LIS arms over his head and grasped
me about the neck, meanwhile turn. |
Ing himself lithely until his fingers |
ciasped my throat The lantern fell |
from my hand and one or the other !
OF us smashed it with our feet
A wrestling match In that dark hole
was not to my liking. still held onto |
the revolver, waiting for a chance To !
use 1t, and meanwhile he tried to
throw me, forcing me bask against
one side and then another of the cor. |
ridor.
with quick rush he flung me
away. and In the same second fired.
The roar Of the shot in the narrow
corridor was deafening. I flung NV. /
self On the floor. expecting a return
shot, and quickly enough a fash broke
upon the darkness dead ahead, and I !
rose to my feet. fired again and leaned
70 the oDosite side Of the corridor ana