Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-04-24

10000 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.
l had probed the hearts of the ruff
fans, and l did not need Antoinette's
warning. They meant to rush" me
as soon as l was engaged In talk.
"Give me a minute TO consider" said
l, and / thought I heard laugh out
side.
turned To Antoinette.
"Stand up close To the wall ont Of
the line Of fire from the door," ] whls-
pered
What are you going to do?' she
asked in fright
you'll see," said /.
took up the little iron table. IT was
not very heavy for man of ny
strength. and held IL by the legs. The
top. 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 handy
pocket. Suddenly saw the door move
ever so slightly. Perhaps it was the
wind; perhaps il was Il hand trying il
outside.
drew back rs far as | could from
the door. holding the table in the posi-
ton that have described. Then
called out:
Gentlemen. | accept your offer, re-
lying OF your honor. If you will open
the door
open il yourself" said Dctchard
1T opens outward" said l. stand
back "A little. gentlemen. or | shall hit
you when ! open it."
i went and fumbled with the latch
Then | stole back to my place on tip
toe.
Il can't open it, / cried. 1.-THE latch
has caught
Tut. III open it, cried Detchard.
Nonsense. Bersonn. Why not? Are
you afraid OF one many'
] smiled TO myself. An instant later
the door was flung back. The glean of
u lantern showed me the three close to-
gether outside, their revolvers leveled
With a shout / charged at my utmost
pace across the summer house and
through the doorway. Three shots rang
out and battered into my shield. An
other moment and l leaped out and the
table caught them full and square. and
In a tumbling, swearing, struggling
mass they and l and that brave table
rolled down the steps OF the summer
house TO the ground below. Antonette
de Mauban shrieked, but / rose to my
feet. laughing aloud
De Gautet and Bersonln lay like men
stunned. Detchard was under the ia
BILE, but as l rose he pushed il from
him and fired again. l raised my re-
volver and took a snap shot. | beard
him curse, and then l ran like a hare,
laughing as ! went past the summer
house anu along by the wall. l heard
steps behind me, and. turning round,
] fired again for luck. The steps ceas-
ed. :.
please God,' said /, "she told me
the truth about the ladder" for the
wall was high and topped with iron
spikes.
Yes, there IL was. was up and over
in minute. Doubling back, I saw
the horses. Then l heard shot. 1t
was Sapt He had heard us and was
battling and raging with the locked
gate, hammering il and firing into the
keyhole like man possessed. He had
quite forgotten that he was not to take
part In the fight. Whereat I 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 heardv'
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 1, laughing still. for IL had been
lncommonly 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 /
had honorably kept my word and not
fired till they did.