Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-28

himself in the midst of turmoil. His
hands encountered a human body, and
he seized it, only to be hurled aside as
If with a giants strength. Again he
cIinched with a mans form, and bore
it to the floor, cursing at the darkness
and reaching for its throat His an
tagonist raised his voice in wild
clamor, while Boyd braced himself for
another assault from those huge hands
he had met a moment before. But 1t
did not come Instead he heard cry
from the woman, an answer in a deep
er voice and then swift, pattering
footsteps growing faiater. Meanwhile
the man with whom be was locked
was fighting desperately, with hands
and feet and teeth, shouting hoarsely.
Other footsteps sounded now, this
time approaching, then at the door
lantern fiared. a Waterman came run
ming down between the lines of ma
chinery, followed by other figures half
revealed.
Boyd had pinned his antagonist
against the cold sides of n retort at
last and with fingers clutched about
his throat was beating his head vio-
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 n startled eX-
clamation. Released from the grip
that had nearly made an end of him,
Willis Marsh staggered to his feet
The man was wounded, badly
wounded, as he saw by the red stream
which gushed down over his breast.
Marsh Ieyeled a trembling finger at
Boyd and cried Historically:
There he is. men. He tried to muir
der me. Tim hurt. I'll have him
arrested
The seriousness of the accusation
struck the young man on the instant.
He turned upon the group.
II didn't do that l heard a fight
going on and ran in here
He's a liar" the wounded man in
terr1Ipted shrilly. Hes stabbed me!
Seer He tried to strip the shirt from
his wounds, then fell TO chattering and
shaking. 40 God, I'm hurt He
staggered to a packing case and sank
upon it, weakly fumbling at his sod
den shoulder.
II didn't do that" repeated Boyd.
81 don't know who stabbed him. l
didn't
Then who didg" some one de-
manded.
what are you doing in here? You'd
a killed him in a minute" said the
man with the lantern.
Well fix you for this" third voice
threatened.
Listen Boyd said in a tone to
make them pause. There has been
a mistake here. l was passing the
building when l heard a woman
scream, and | rushed in TO prevent
Marsh from choking her to DEATH"
"A woman chorused the group.
That's what l said"
where is she nowY'
81 don't know. l didn't see her at all.
1 grappled with the first person l ran
into. She must have gone out as you
came in" Boyd indicated the side
door, which was still ajar.
Its a lie." screamed Marsh.
Its the TRUTH stoutly maintained
Emerson, "and there was a man with
her too. Who was she. Marsh? Who
was the man?"
''She-she-I don't know"
Don't lie.'
I'm hurt" reiterated the stricken
man feebly. Then. seeing the bewil-
derment in the faces about him. he
DurSt out anew: Don't stand there
like lot of fools. Why don you get
him?"
IF stabbed him ] must have had
knife" Emerson said. again checking
the forward p movement. You may
search me If. you Hike. See?" He
opened his coat and Jdispiaged. his belt
Hes got six shooter" some one
said.
Yes. and 1 may use it." said Elmer
son quietly.
IF he hasn't a knife then he must
have had a friend with him"
'Then tell your men what we were
doing in here and how you came to be
alone with US in the dark" Emerson
stared at his accusers curiously. but the
trusts manager seemed at a loss.
See here. Marsh. if you Will, tell US
whom you were choking maybe we
can get at, the truth. OF this affair"
Without ansxering Marsh rose and,
leaning upon the watchman's arm,
said:
Help me I'D to the house I'm hurt