The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-23
Millionaire
BatterS Doom
Wooden Dooz
WHhBedpost,
And ReUoIOer
Is Poked Lnto
HIS Face By
Rattan quad

You refuse Ia iee me out OF hereY''
Ye might call it that. mister"
suppose that you know you're
committing criminal offense-that
you are punishable under the law"
The man IN the hallway laughed out
right
We don't spend much time botherln.
with laws in this part OF town old
man.
Well. you'll spend considerable tine
getting clear OF them when am once
out of here. I can tell you thai
'Mebbe. mister. but you amt out
yet"
But I'm going 70 be. very shortly
said Grafton furiously. For the last
time, are you going to open that
Say. dye see It openlng?" inquired
his Jailer.
Grafton stepped back and raised his
club.
IN be out there with you IN about
ten secondsr' he growied.
The post was swinging around his
head and ready TO descend. when n
hairy hand came through the opening.
and the voice cried:
Hold on. therel"
''What?" Grafton paused. the club
poised IN air. Changed your mind.
have you?"
mot special-but Il WON'T do YOU
much good 10 smash that door. mister
You may as well know IL before Won
start"
IN sea what good it viii do,
Say, I gave ye warnin', didn't r.
Warning OF what?'' shouted the
prisoner.
This herel"
The hand disappeared for a moment.
and came into view again with a re-
vOlver clutched tight.
Il was one chance IN ten thousand
Like q bolt OF thunder, Grafton's club
descended upon the fist and missed f.
by an inch as II disappeared once more.
through the panel.
An angry snarl came from without.
Didn't suppose ye had brains
enough for that
Grafton laughed angrily and raised
his weapon once more; again the voice
came 70 him through che break.
Hey, nowl You saw It, mister. an
I ain't the one 20 stop long about usin'
It - you go to work and make Il neces~
sary. You get back there an sit down
an there Amt nOthin' goin' 10 happen
to ye. But II you Try smashing things
any more. OF ldclin' up a row Ike
that"
Grafton's answer came swiftly. With
another quick swing, his club smashed
down upon the panels. New sections
OF the wood gave way-a larger open
ing had been made
A sharp groE1 came from the cor
ridor, but he gave It scant heed.
Stepping 10 one side. in preparation
for a possible shot. the bed post was
Whirled about and brought down. The
upper half OF the door crashed down
TO the dingy floor OF the hallway.
The Joy Of battle set Grafton atingle.
once let him dsnoiish that lower half
and leap into the hallway, and ne was
ready and willing to try conclusions,
even with the pistol. Surely with that
heavy weapon in his hands his chances
% shattering the fellows arm before
be could shoot were almost even.
The club swung about and battered
upon the lower panels: Grafton drew
il back with a suppressed shout. for
the woodwork had splintered again.
Another rousing blow and
he lodged back. The revolver and
an angry face behind II had poked
through his gap.
For an instant he faced them-then
lodged quickly. And as his head
dropped a squirt OF fame and a bullet
passed straight through the spot It had
occupied!
He crouehed lower and the gun fol-
lowed him-he lodged again and an
other leaden. pellet just missed hint
So II was TO be warfare in earnest.
with possible. even probable murder as
the end, Considering it all with light
ming rapidly. Grafton saw but one
course to fellow if he expected TO see
Kenyonville again outside Of his coffin.
He must surrender. He threw the
club from him. as the quickest sign OF
his defeat. The revolver was trained
upon him for new attempt-but as
the big stick ratified TO the floor across
the room. the muzzle lowered His
antagonist stepped through the CAV
and confronted him T1th an angry
scowl-
For moment they faced each other;
and Grafton realized bitterly that for
the tine he was a beaten man. The
other shook his head angrfiy.
Couldn't take me word for Il. hey?"
Grafton did not answer.
'Git up"
The millionaire obeyed.
Now, so over on that bed an, sit
down. Quicki"
Grafton rose and walked to the
wrecked bedStead and with sttded
groan seated himself on the edge His
captor took q chair and with the re-
vOlver ready for use. stared at him
(To Be Continued Next Sunday.)