Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-30
Chapter XXI (Continued)

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Greatly relieved, Boyd was about to
go on, when sharp cry, like signal,
came in the woman's voice, cry
which turned to genuine wall of dis
tress. The listener heard mans
voice cursing in answer, and then the
sound of scuffle, followed at length
by choking cry, that brough him
bounding into the building. He ran
forward, recklessly, but before he had
covered half the distance he collided
violently with a piece Of machinery
and went sprawling to the floor. A
glance upward revealed the dim out
lines of topper" and showed him
farther down the building, silhbuetted
briefly against the lesser darkness OF
the windows, two struggling figures.
AS he regained his footing, something
rushed past him-man or animal he
could not tell which, for it's feet made
no more sound upon the floor than
those of wolf-dog. Then, as he bolted
forward, he heard man cry out, and
found himself in the midst of turmoil.
His hands encountered human body.
and he seized it only to be hurled
aside as if with a giants strength.
Again he clinched with mans form.
and bore it to the floor, cursing at the
darkness and reaching for its throat.
His antagonist raised his voice in d
wild clamor, while Boyd braced HIM
self for another assault from those
huge hands he had met moment be-
fore. But it did not come. Instead, he
heard cry from the woman, and then
swift, pattering footsteps growing
fainter. Meanwhile the man with
whom he was locked was fighting des-
perately, with hands and feet and
teeth, shouting hoarsely. Other foot
steps sounded now, this time approach
ing, then at the door lantern flared.
A Waterman came running down be-
tween the lines of machinery, followed
by other figures half revealed.
Boyd had pinned his antagonist
against the cold sides Of retort at
last. and with fingers clutched about
his throat was beating his head VIC
lently against the iron, when by the
lanterns CLEAN he caught one glimpse
Of the fat, purple face in front OF him,
and loosed his hold with startled ex-
clamation. Released from the grip that
had nearly made an end of him. Willis
Marsh staggered to his feet, then
lurched forward as if about to fall
from weakness. His eyes were staring,
his blackened tongue protruded, while
his head, battered and bleeding, lolled
grotesquely from side to side as If in
hideous merriment. HIS clothes were
torn and soiled from the litter under
foot, and he presented frightful pic
- D,,f not fhic
that caused Emerson the greatest as
constituent. The man was wounded,
badly wounded, as he saw by the red
stream which gushed down over his
breast. Boyd cast his eyes about for
the other participants in the encounter
but they were nowhere visible only an
open door in the shadows close by
limited at the mode Of their disappear
ance.
There was a brief, noisy interval,
during which Emerson was too as
founded to attempt an answer to the
questions hurled broadcast by the new
corners then Marsh levelled tremb-
ling finger at him and cried, hysteri-
cally:
"There he is, men, He tried to MUIR
der me. I'm hurt. I'll have him ar
rested" ~
The Aeriousness Of the accusation
struck the young man on the instant
he turned upon the group.
II didn't do that. heard a fight go
ing on and ran in here"
Hes liar" the wounded man in
terrupted shrilly. ''He stabbed me!
See?" He tried to strip the shirt from
his wounds, then fell to chattering and
shaking. ooh, God! I'm hurt" He stag
gered to a packing case and sank upon
it. weakly fumbling at his sodden
shoulder.
II didn't do that" repeated Boyd.
~ don't know who stabbed him. |
didn't"
"Then who did," some one de
manded. !.
what are you doing in here? You'd
a killed him in minute" said the man
with the lantern.
'We'll fix you for this third voice
threatened:
e Listen" Boyd said in tone to
make them pause. There has been "a
mistake here. was passing the build
ing when | heard woman scream,
and rushed in to prevent Marsh from
choking her to death"
ga, woman" chorused the group.
That's what said"
"Where is she noW?"
II don't know. didn't see her at all.
1 grappled with the first person ran
into. She must have gone out as you
came in Boyd indicated the side door
which was still ajar.
"It's lie," screamed Marsh.
TITS the truth" stoutly maintained
Emerson, land there was man with
her. too. Who was she, Marsh? Who
was the MANI"
"She-she--I don't know"
Don't lie"
"Tm hurt" reiterated the stricken
man, feebly. Then, seeing the bewilder-
ment in the faces about him. he burst
out anew: Don't stand there like
lot of fools. Why don't you get him?'
sIf l stabbed him l must have had
knife" Emerson said, again check
ing the forward movement. 'You may