The Washington times., 1909-05-16
CHAPTER XVIII
a coon JOB.

uaEly became normal as Sne sat
q listening for repetition OK the
s. sound frDun the porch.
Mrs. Graham in the bed by her size
Srsafhed regularly. Then. heavier than
berore. the crash came again.
Quickly Grace slid from the couch
=nd in the darkness felt for the heavy
robe lying In . chair near by. Throw
<ins II srouud hsr. she hurried noise
&isssiy into the dimiy lighted hall, moved
Hdozn the stzirs and in a moment was
b ct the front door.
= Here she stood considerings then
Esuadenly turned the eIectric switch
q which threw into briIIiance the light
i above the front steps. then she swift
ly opensd the great door.
Two men lay simosu before her
one Jim. the other a giant in his
4 bulky strength
Alton moved slightly as his eyes
opened 20 the sudden glare Of light
When the Siri bent over him the faint
d eEt of smiles came TO his face.
"Is he duietT' he asked
yes. lying near you
throw water on me-and get a
4 rope"
In n moment she was over him once
more and Jim felt the welcome wet on
4 face and shoulders. Then a long rope
4 was thrust into his hands
II was more his wonder and admira-
s. ton for her cslmness than his own re-
4 oupsrative power that brought back to
tsis worn body to strength to act But
4 that strength came and he struggled TO
HIS feet.
! 60 back, Grace he said.
mot yet"
FIRST very carefully he bound the
mans feet. then, seeing that no signs
3 Of consciousness were visible. more Sc
cnyeIy he fastened the hands behind the
4 giants back. 3tsIi there was no move
msnt TO the great bulk
mot in thousand years could 1 hft
blow like that again" Jim muttered.
.'an6 IN the dark. too
The front door had remained open.
and through the entrance Grace step
PED quickly.
I'll go back to aunt. she might wake,
an6 or course we don't want her TO
know about baby-nobody must know
she said And OF course you want to
talk 10 him What was the matter?
Did he get insulting or anything2
Forgetting for moment that no one
could follow the workings OF her irnnd.
Jim stood there appalled, at her at
tftuds OF composure. Then he remme-
bsred.
~Yes, yes. Grace-qulcl."
You ought 20 60 70 bed, too. now,
Jim. Why don't you telephone the Jan
ana have them keep him TIL morning
so you can talk to him after you are
restsd7 The sheriff thinks a lot Of us,
you know
The idea might never have occurred
10 Alton, but the plan was the best
and he determined 20 follow IT,
"Insane. insane" he aurmured 70
tinseIf. but the cleverness of it."
.'ehaii I phone, jim"
"Ho. hurry back TO Mrs. Graham"
Good night, dear. sleep we'll"
Good night. Grace"
As she turned from him Jirn's hand
sbeyed the impulse OF his heart and
reached toward her who lad perhaps
saved his life, but his reason drew II
back. and without further word she
Nsnt.
Anxious to consider every possibility
now that the management OF afairs
was so completely IN his hands, jim
thought long before reaching a con.
clnsion as TO teiephoning the sheriff. II
would be long wait until rnornins
and he would under no circumstance
sleep while the man was unconfned
but he hated to allow any one TO tail
10 his captive before he himself nae
obtained whatever information h.
couic
A faint movement OF the great bod,
lying there attracted his attention. tn,
syss opened suddenly. blinking in Tn,
brilliant light
Don't make any noise" said Jim
snd with his fast disappearing strength
he dragged the man through the from
door. closed Il and shut of the eIectri.
light or the verands.
Want anything" asked Alton, think
Ing that he would now resort TO NOR,
gentle means OF handling the fellow.
Drink
Keeping his eyes on the securel,
bound giant. Jim moved down the hal
70 the door OF the dtaing-haI, made /
quick sash 10 the sideboard, where n.
procured decanter OF stimulant ant
then returned TO the PROSTATE figure
The man drank eagerly and Jim won