The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1910-11-17
He was long enough ahead of us to

He was long enough ahead Of us to
go into the dining Dom and get a de-
canter out of the s~ideboard. He
poured out the liquor into a glass,
left the decanter there, and took the
whisky into the library across the hall.
Then-he broke into a desk, using a
paper knife for a jimmy"
Good Lord, Hotchkiss," l exclaim-
ed; why, it may have been Sullivan
himself! COnfound your theories
he's getting farther away every min.
ute
1T was Sullivan" Hotchkiss re-
turned imperturbably And he has
not gone. His boots are by the H.
brary fire"
He probably had a dozen pairs
where he could get Them" | scoffed.
And while you and | sat and slept,
the very man we want to get our
hands on leered at US over that rail-
ing"
Softly, softly, my friend" Hotch.
kiss said, as | stamped into my other
shoe. 81 did not say he was gone.
Don't jump at conclusions. 1t is fatal
to reasoning. AS a matter of fact, he
didn't relish a night on the mountains
any more than we did. After he had
unintentionally frightened you almost
into paralysis, what would my gentle
man naturally do? Go out in the
storm 9gain? Not If | know the Alice
sit-by-the-fre type. lie went upstairs,
well up near the roof, locked himself
in and went to bed"
And he is there now?"
"He is there now"
We had no weapons. I am aware
that the traditional hero is always
armed, and that Hotchkiss as the low
comedian should have had a revolver
hat missed fire. AS a fact, we had
nothing of the sort. Hotchkiss car
lied the fire tongs, but my sense of
humOr was too strong for me; | de-
clined the poker.
"AIl we want is a little ~peaceable
conversation with him." demurred.
we cant brain him first and con.
verse with him afterward. And any,
how, while | can't put my finger on
he place, think your theory is weak.
If he wouldn't run 100 miles through
fire and water to get away from US,
then he is not the man we want"
Hotchkiss, however, was certain. He
had found the room and listened out
side the door to the ~sleeper's heavy
breathing, and so we climbed past lux
1riOus suites, revealed in the deepen
ing daylight, Tast long vistas of hall
and bOuGoir. And we were both badly
winded when we got there. 1t was
4 tower room, reached by narrow
stairs, and well above the roof level.
Hotchkiss was glowing.
1T is partly good luck, but not an"
he ranted in a whisper. IF we had
persisted in the search last night, he
would have taken alarm and fed.
Now-we have him. Are you ready?"
He gave a mighty rap at the door
with the fire tongs, and stood ex-
pectant. Certainly he was right; some
one moved within.
Hello! Hello there!" Hotchkiss
hawled. You might as we'll come out.
We won't hurt you, if you'll come
.peaceably.'
Tell him we represent the law" I
prompted. That's the customary
thing, you know"
But at that moment a bullet came
squarely through the door and fat.
tened itself with a sharp psf against
the wall of the tower staircase. We
ducked unanimously, dropped back out
of range, and Hotchkiss retaliated with
a spirited bang bang at the door with
the tongs. This brought another bull
let. 1t was a ridiculous situation. I'm
der the circumstances, no doubt, we
should have retired, at least until we
had armed ourselves, but Hotchkiss
had no end of fighting spirit, and as
for me, my blood was up.
Break the lock-" l suggested, and
Hotchkiss, standing at the side, out Of
range, retaliated for every bullet by a
smashing blow with the tongs. The
shots ceased after a half dozen, and
the door was giving, slowly. One Of
us on each side of the door, we were
ready for almost any kind of desper-
ate resistance. AS 1t swung open
Hotchkiss poised the tongs; l stood.
bent forward, my arm drawn back for
a blow.
Nothing happened.
There was not a sound. Finally, at
the risk of losing an eye which | just
ly value, | peered around and into the
room. There was no desperate there:
Only a fresh-faced, trembling-lipped
servant, sitting on the edge of her
bed, with a quilt around her shoulders
and the empty revolver at her feet
We were victorious, but conquered
army never beat such a retreat as ours
down the tower stairs and into the
refuge of the living room. There.
with the door closed. sprawled on the
divan. l went from one spasm of mirth
into another, becoming sane at inter
walls, and suffering relapse again every
time | saw Hotchkiss' disgruntled
countenance. He was pacing the room,
the tongs still in his hand, his mouth
pursed with irritation. Finally he
stopped in front of me and compelled
my attention.
when you have finished cackling."