Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-26

ted, the shadow quickly came 10 me.
He hesitated for an instant, ~ II In
doubt which Of tho two to follow. then
decided in favor OF Alcetrante. who
was moving in leisurely fashion toward
the park entrance, hts head bowed tn
thought. Orme found himself wonder
ing what snaky plots were winding
through that dark mind.
The procession Of three silently en-
tered the park. The shadow was about
a hundred feet behind Alcatrante.
Orme kept the same distance between
himself and the shadow.
The minister was in no hurry. In
different to his surroundings he made
his way. with no apparent interest in
the paths he took At last he turned
into dark stretch and for the mo-
ment was lost to sight in the night.
Suddenly the shadow darted for
ward. Orme hurried his own pace,
and in moment he heard the sounds
of short. sharp struggle-a scufning
of feet in the gravel. heavy fall.
There was no outcry.
Orme broke into a run. At point
where the path was darkest he
checked himself for an instant A Mt
tie distance ahead q man lay fiat on
the ground, and bending over him was
short, stocky figure.
Orme leaped forward and swung his
cane. The stick was tough and the
to earth, but the robber had heard
Orme's approach, and looked up from
his victim just in time. With q mo-
ton indescribably swift, he caught
with one hand the descending cane
and wrenched 1t from Orme's grasp.
Then he crouched to spring.
At this instant Orme ht 'rd footsteps
behind him. turn of the head
showed threatening figure at his
back. There had been four men In
that procession through the park!
By quick leap to one side, Orme
placed himself for the moment out Of
danger His two assailants, moving
too fast to stop, bumped together.
They faced about for another spring
at him. And then there was short
scratching sound, and in the hand Of
the man on the ground flared match.
Hal" exclaimed the PROSTATE Al
catrante, Il thought SOL"
Orme found himself looking into the
contorted faces Of two Japanese.
Discovery was evidently the last
thing the hold-up men desired. for
they disappeared like a fash, diving
through the shrubbery behind them.
Orme, dazed and breathing hard, at
tempted no immediate pursuit. He
stepped quickly to Alcatrante and
helped him to his feet
II am not hurt" said the South
American. when the man threw me
stunned. 1t is wiser not to resist a
thug, is it not so?" He brushed the
dust from his clothing with his hand.
kerchief. Orme handed him his hat
which had rolled to one side. The
minister rubbed 1t carefully with his
coat sleeve. "See." he laughed. nod.
ding at the ground, my cane is
broken. 1 must have fallen on It,"
"Since you're not hurt" said Orme
"we'd better get after the thieves"
BAH" replied Alcatrante. What is
the use? They are already far away
and they got nothing" He laughed.
SIS it not always better to avoid no
torfety, Mr.. Orme?"
"As rule, no doubtful in this in
stance"
NO" said Alcatrante. firmly. Il
really must insist that we let the mat.
ter drop. AS for me, shall return to
my hotel. Perhaps you will walk along
with me-"
Orme hesitated. 81 don't like those
thieves to get of without chase.
senior"
But. my dear Mr.. Orme, they did
me no harm
Orme shrugged his shoulders. you
forget that there was one after me "a
we'll as one after you"
mo, I don't forget that. But don't
you see, Mr.. Orme? These two men
we're not after our valuabIes."
"Indeed?"
mot at all. What they would Hike
is my little friend Poritols secret"
But why Japanese?" Orme was
puzzled.
"Why, indeed? cunning Japanese
might as easily have got wind of 1t a.
anyone else"
But why did you say. I thought
so?" persisted Orme.
Ibid say that? It must have heen
because l suspected that only Jap
anese could be so agile as my assail-
ant But all this is immaterial.
should have warned you that Poritols
secret is dangerous. You should not
have left your apartments"
well. this certainly is queer ket-
tie of fish," muttered Orme. He was
beginning to feel Disguised with the
situation. He did not like Alcatrante's
oily smoothness. and he wondered
whether 1t would not have been better
to hand the bill over to Poritol at the
first demand. But it came to his
mind that in a certain degree he stood
committed to continue the policy he
had adopted. He had sought adven-
ture; it was coming to him in full
measure.
Together they walked back toward
the park entrance. The minister
seemingly exerted himself to regain
4, Il