The Irish standard., 1910-12-31

~
FIERCE STRUGGLE ENsUED.
prove futile, for mob rule Is not infu.
enced by judgment, and he was al
ready dog with bad name. They
would hang him first and inquire into
the merits of the case afterward. II
possible prompt and ignominious fight
was his only salvation.
True to his class. Kirby's opponent
possessed some knowledge of wres.
Ting, but was totally ignorant Of even
the rudiments of pugilism, and the
younger man confined his efforts to
frustrating tripping attacks while at
! the same time striving to free his pin
toned right arm. This at length he sue
ceeded in doing. vicious wrench, a
clever feint, smashing uppercut, and
| the malarial gentleman went down on
his back, while Kirby, waving an airy
adieu to the now advancing army of
yelling pursuers, took nimbly to his
| heels
But, feet and long winded runner
! though he was, capture was not thus
to be lightly outfooted. The cry of
"Catch the murderer is infinitely
more potent than that of "Stop thief"
and pursuers were multiplying in his
track at an alarming rate, adding at
every step fresh runners to their
ranks.
On sped Kirby, every variety and
class of humanity at his heels. Once
or twice his way was barred by some
energetic and inquisitive newcomer,
but a clever dodge or well directed
blow left him to swell the ever increas-
ing army of impotents in the rear. No
fox doubling and redoubling on his
tracks while in full view of the pack
4, owned a more keen delight in thus
stalking acumen and agility against
i! overwhelming odds than did the young
gambler. BY now the city proper had
been gained, and the pursued, dashing
around the first opportune corner, be-
came lost to his pursuers.
! Kirby found himself in a quiet side
| street lined with aristocratic, fat lit
tie red brick houses whose drawing
room balconies were little more than
mans height from the side path
He vaguely realized that he was in the
| heart of New Orleans old French
| quarter. The street was not very long
| and he did not know to where 1t led
Owing to the early hour the shutters
of the houses were still closed, but
| one house seemed to be an excep
ton, for his quick, searching eyes
noted on his right half open draw
! ing room window with its gently flap
ping curtain.
He had dropped into a quick walk
in order to gain much needed breath
ing spell, but now as the hue and cry
of his persistent pursuers became more
| insistent he again broke into a run.
In few moments they would turn the
corner and sight their quarry. Almost
| at the same instant another chorus Of
cries came from the far end Of the
street toward which Kirby was has
tening. He incontinently halted, real
| izing that the enemy, familiar with
| the neighborhood. had divided it's army
and sent one contingent around his
flank to head him off, He was trap
ped, for it was impossible to advance
or retreat. Louder and louder sounded
the cries from front and rear. An
other minute and the short street
would be choked with the meeting
| mobs.
Without hesitation nor caring where
| it would lead. Kirby accepted the des.
perate and solitary chance that was
offered him. Hastily returning to the
house with the open window and as.
cending its steps. he leaped high in
air, caught the overhanging balcony.
drew himself up, leaped over the elab-
orately scrolled railing and. pushing
aside the gently bellying curtains,
stepped quietly into the room.