The San Francisco call., 1910-03-13

THROUGH THE OPENING CANE. THE FLASH
offered, to confirm life long claim upon powerful
figure in the world OF wealth.
At the point on the hedge where the shrubbery
crcled out about the lawn he turned toward the
house Screened from the lodge by the scanty fall
foliage he broke into run. The windows on the first
floor of the Benham residence were protected by
storm shutters. He passed around the side to the
porte cochere. The arch under which the drive
was built like the house itself of rough granite blocks
A stout, we'll grown ivy grew from the lawn side.
The vine gave him hand holds and he found toe
grips on the projections of the 1t sharp
painful scramble, but he to the roof OF the arch
He made his way from there to the roof of the
veranda and began to try the windows He found
them too safely fastened.for his tool penknfe.
At the rear of the house he boldly smashed pane
with the handle. Throwing the lock he opened the
window and stepped inside.
He remembered the arrangement of the house and
felt his way along the corridor and down the stairs.
In the wide entrance hall the foot he had in mind
roomy brcked fireplace fitted with huge brass and
irons and implements. His groping hand found the
frame at the side and hanging herefrom the 20 pound
poker Armed with this traditional household weapon
he was more confident.
An hour passed before his intent caught the
first ntmation of the approach of the invaders The
sound came from the library, the side of the house
opposite that entered through the porte cochere.
There was a small door to the veranda there he
recalled He hurried to the library. In the corner
was steep flight of stairs leading to gallery that
ran about the Standing on the third and
fourth steps he was placed we'll above and within
striking distance of any one opening the door.
While he taking his position, poker swung
shoulder steel tooth biting and tearing at
was splnterng crash and it Jared open The three
men whose shoulders had been thrown against it
jammed in the entrance. There was an instant
of silence broken by Carriers yell as he brought the
poker down on the nearest head. Taken wholly by
surprise the party hudded back with cries of terror
stumbling and falling over one another in their frantic
efforts escape this unseen and unsuspected foe.
The Vrgnian saw heeting figures on the lawn and
stepped out to the veranda.
FOUND HIM UNCONSCIOUS
A form lay sprawled at His feet STOPPING close he
could make in the dim light the thin face of "a
young man, scarcely more than boy. With some
difficulty he dragged his unconscious victim into the
house and propped him against the stairs With furn-
bling fingers he bandaged the boys head, using his
handkerchief and stanching the flow from cut in the
scalp Then he closed the door again and made shift
to push the heavy library table against it. In the
darkness he could hear the labored breathing of his
captive.
Waiting there in momentary expectation of a
renewed attack and running over the means by
which he might repel it he bethought him that he
had not yet searched this new companion. He had
his reward, for in the boys hip pocket he found
revolver of small calber fully loaded, as he quickly