The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-07-21
The Nations Pawn

man was waiting in the hallway.
Take him into the library" Lester
said, and stopped to fill his pocket with
cigars. He also took pains to slip PTS
the precaution as he did AS he
tered the library he was met by a clean
eyed man, who carelessly displayed his
badge as he came forward, although its
no one could have passed the sentry in
front without an official pass.
Ibid you get Mr.. Hollbrook?' the Pres
ident-elect asked
Yes, he is waiting in the machine,
which is around the corner" the secret
service guard answered. II thought it
best to stop in the shadows because one
cannot exercise too much caution in
times like these, and, if a crank We're
lurking around. he might take a chance
ON any automobile that stopped before
YOU gate this evening He would scarce
ly expect person of your Importance to
go anywhere on foot tonight So, we
take precautions.
He laughed as though the idea of
crank We're hardly to be worried over.
Lester got his overcoat from the den,
steadily pacing to and fro before the
gate, and saluted them as they passed.
Wonder where they're going now,' he
said, as they turned the corner. He's
this way; but they say Lincoln did the
same thing during the war, and l guess
he's no bigger than Lincoln was" With
that, he shrugged his shoulders and re-
on duty were over and the hour OF re-
lief at hand.
M IDWAY in the block around the corner
1vA stood the big closed electric automo-
bile which the President used for his own
needs. AS they approached, a heavily
built man started from it, and toward
them, as if to halt and challenge them.
Its us, Williams" the Presidents mes
senger said, and the man lifted his hat
and advanced to the door, which he
opened.
Good evening, Mr.. HOLLYWOOD" the vice
president said sleepily from the shadows
within. He fumbed for switch, which
threw on light inside, revealing himself
in its glare as man having the appear
ancc OF one who had but lately vacated
his bed.
pardon me, Mr. Holbrook,' said the
guard, who had followed inside aud seat
ed himself. I'm sorry you discovered
from where l flashed the light before. 1t
is better that we leave it turned off, al.
though l have the curtains drawn My
charges are of too much Importance tc
take chances. he concluded apologetical-
ly, as he switched off the incandesccnt.
They heard the guard and the chauffeur
mount outside, the machine sprang for
ward, and they were whied noiselessly
away. SO smooth and silent was their
progress that they could have but little
idea of their speed. They came to a
sudden easy halt, heard the outer guard
dismount and speak to someone, whom
they presumed to be one of the soldiers
on duty before the Presidential residence.
Then, as suddenly as they had stopped,
the doors on both sides were thrown.
open, and the guard at Testers side
threw one arm around him, completely
pinioning him, ana put an unoccupied
hand over his mouth.
The president-elect started to struggle.
I, hn had l,.Irn LAY made hon
the man holding him was reinforced 10y
another equally powerful. while from the
other side came the sounds of another
fierce struggle, where the Vice President
elect was being subdued. The very voice
lessness of the combat rendered it more
terrifying for there was no sound what
ever beyond the mad rustic of straining
muscles and garments. 1t of short
duration. In Il few seconds, both Lester
and Holbrook found themselves pinioned
in the roadway with the envelopng folds
of silken sc;irfs mutiiing their mouths eff
fectually. Finally they ceased to strug
gle and looked around, discovering that