The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-08-10

I ARAAaA1tAaAtr VI AAAA0W AAAfs nM HIS AOdA nlAM
pulling off his boots, socks and trous-
ers. Setting the lamp with fame
turned low, so that the light would
not show on the window curtains, he
turned in without removing his under
clothing, though it was still wet. Be
fore retiring, however, he again FUN
bled about his waist with the same
nervous anxiety he had exhibited on
the brink of the flood and readjusted
some bulky object that showed its out
line under his shirt, completely en-
circling his body.
He had slept for some time when,
his senses alert to every suspicious
sound, he was wide awake and listen.
ing.
Enthusiastically the creaH Of cautious
footsteps could be heard in the room
below He listened, tense and staring.
His caller made slow progress. Ger
tain progress, though it was, and
toward the stairway leading to the
hall into which his room opened. Fol
lowing any unusually insistent com
plant on the part Of the flooring, all
sound would cease for a minute or
more. Then, reassured, it would begin
again
The man, half sitting in the bed
stared wildly before him, but without
seeing. His whole sense was hearing
Perspiration stood beaded on his face
and hands. He was filed with fear
natural to the defenseless and cor
nered quarry
But waiting was not to be tolerated
by man Of his disposition to action
He cautiously crawled from the bed
and stood looking about the dimly
lighted room selecting thc most prom.
ising weapon Of defense, There was
not much TO choose from-a light,
cane-seated chair, water pitcher and
wash bowl the washstand and his
boots, besides the lamp. These APP
peared 10 be all that was available
not very effective against firearms.
Watt Besides these there was one
more object. but SO insignificant
small bottle Of red ink. This last,
however, caught his eye and, with al
most a trace Of amusement in express
sion. he quickly pulled a fat money
belt from about his waist beneath his
shirt. rumpled up the bed clothing and
thrust the belt under the mattress.
lie next made his way carefully and
/ quietly TO the stand and secured the
ink bottle, on the way noiselessly
turning the chair on its side and pull
ing the curtain back as he passed the
window, exposing the half-Open sash.
A broken pane OF glass luckily added
to the general appearance Of disarray
he plainly desired to produce After
placing the wash bowl upturned on
the floor. taking the pitcher from the
stand. disaFrangiRg the towel that had
been spread neatly across It, he took
one further satisfied glance about the
room.
Carefully then he stretched himself
In the middle OF the floor opened the
bottle Of ink and poured some OF its
crimson contents on his breast and
throat and across his forehead just
below the hair The rest he poured on
the floor near his head and neck and
then tucked the bottle under his shirt
where it would not be seen. lie
rumpled his nnderclothing to make il
appear to have been pulled aside by
the tearing away Of the money belt
and finally lay with head thrown 0acA
aaG eyes fixed on the ceiling. and wait
ed. 1t was a bold bit Of acting. Would
it work?
He did not have long to walt for
although he had made his preparations
as rapidly as possible, consistent with
silence. he had hardly completed the
tableau setting before he heard muf
fed whispers at the door. There was
then. more than one caller. They were
deciding on the mode Of entrance The
door was light one. offering bui
slight obstruction to r strong man
Though aware OF this they apparently
hesiiated before taking so noisy Z
method. Carefully the knob wa'
turned but only 10 confirm what thel
must have expecied-that the dooi
was locked.
Another interval Of silence and then
Welding to a quick pressure from ;
broad shoulder the lock snapped Will
sharp report and man sprang int
the room. holding a revolver He die
not stop until his feet almost touched
the prostrate body on the floor In th'
dim light he made # out and shranl
back 10 the door with an oath
What is Il, Ai2' came in a whispe
from the dark Of the hall.
Someone has been here before US,
was the answer. as another man ioine'
him in the doorway. For a moment th'
two stood staring in disappointed rag
at the red-splotched object on thi
floor. They took IN the signs Of strug
gle and the open window through
which a murderer and robher Nigh
have entered and made his escape.
Amt that hell?" and the other al
sented that it was.
We've got no business hanginl
around here. and the quicker We Gu
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