Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-07
,hat.s sensible i, he saln.

The three mounted the last step and |
stood just outside the door. l laid my |
ear to the chink l could hear no
words, but Detchard's head was close
to that of the taller of his companions |
Ode Gautet, l guessed.
HIN, Private communications"
| thought l. Then said aloud:
well, gentlemen, what's the offerf"
"a safe conduct to the frontier and |
| ESQ, 900 English"
mo. no. whispered Antoinette in the |
lowest of whispers. "They are treach-
erous."
THAT seems handsome" said l. rec
onnoitering through the chink. They
were all close together, just outside the
door now.
| 1 had probed the hearts of the ruff
fans, and l did not need Antoinette'3
warning. They meant to rush me
as soon as l was engaged in talk.
| "Give me a minute to consider" said
1, and thought / heard laugh out
SIDE
| l turned to Antoinette.
STAND up close to the wall out of
the line of fire from the door, l whis-
Ipered.
What are you going to do?" she
asked in fright.
you'll see" said l.
/ took up the little iron table. 1t was
not very heavy for man of my
strength, and | held it by the legs. The
top, protruding in front of me. made =
complete screen for my head and body.
/ fastened my closed lantern to my
belt and put my revolver i'll handy
pocket. Suddenly L saw the door move
lever so slightly. Perhaps it was the
wind; perhaps it was hand trying it
loutside.
drew back as far as | could from
the door. holding the table i'll the posi-
ton that | have described. Then |
called out:
Gentlemen, accept your offer, re-
lying on your honor. If you will open
the door
open it yourself" said Detchard.
1T opens outward" said |. stand
back 4 little, gentlemen. or | shall hit
you when open it,
l went and fumbled with the latch.
Then l stole back to my place Oh tip
toe.
Il can't open it, cried. The latch
has caught
Tut. I'll open it," cried Detchard.
Nonsense. Bersonin! Why not: Are
=. you afraid of one MANI
l smiled to myself. An instant later
!, the door was flung back. The giSam Of
Il lantern showed me the three close to-
tpa --tI nj ,t.,.T
With shout | charged at my utmost
pace across the summer house and
through the doorway. Three SLOTS rang
2 out and battered into my shield. An
other moment and leaped ont. ana the
table cauGht them full and square. and
in a tumblng. swearing, struggling
] mass they and I and that brave table
rolled down the steps of the summer
z house TO the ground below. Antoinctte
de Mauban shrieked. hut | rose to my
feet. laughing aloud.
De Gautct and BerSOnin lay like men
- stunned. Dctchard was under the ia
@ Bile. but as | rose he pushed it from
!. him and fired again. l raised my re-
@ volver and took IA snap shot. l heard
him curse, and then | ran like hare,
|
house and along by the wall l heard
steps behind me. and, turning round,
fired again for luck. The steps ceas-
cd.
please Cod said l. "she told me
the truth about the ladder for the
wall was high and topped with iron
spikes.
Yes, there it was. I was up and over
in a minute. Doubling back. 1 saw
the horses. Then l heard a shot 1t
was Sapt He had heard Us and was
battling and raging with the locked
gate, hammering it and firing into the
keyhOle like n man possessed. He had
quite forgotten that he was not to take
part in the fight. Whereat l laughed
again and said as clapped him on the
shoulder:
Come home to bed, old chap. I've
got the finest tea table story that ever
you heard"
He started and cried, You're safer
But moment later he added:
And what the devil are you laugh.
ing atT'
-Four gentlemen round tea table,
said l, laughing still, for it had bee!
, uncommonly ludicrous to see the for
. midable three altogether routed ant
: scattered with no more deadly weapon
than an ordinary tea table.
Moreover, you will observe that
had honorably kept my word and no
J. fired till they did.
~ (To Be Continued.)