The Delta independent., 1910-12-23
THE GIRL
AND
The Bill

had them," he began.
Possibly. But haven't them now.
How would you feel if | should tell
you that the young lady and | have
made this journey simply to throw
you of the scent, and that the papers
were being delivered by another per
SOM"
"I not believe" declared Arima
shortly.
Suddenly Maku began to jabber at
Arima, who, after an instant of con-
sideration, gave quick order to the
fourth Japanese, who stood by. This
man went to the tonneau and got the
prospectuses which Orme had placed
under the seat cushion.
Arima snatched the papers with his
free hand, then. resigning Orme en-
tirely to Maku's care, and clucking
strangely, opened them
A glance sufficed. With q cry of
disappointment, he tore the paper in
two and threw them to the ground.
He thrust his face close to Ormes
Where the papers?" he said.
Orme did not reply.
The Japanese who had brought the
stepped to Makus assistance, for
Orme had made a mcs on of the body
which showed that he was rapidly
losing his patience.
"Queeki"
Still no answer.
Hal" The exclamation had a ring
of triumph. "Mees have uni" He
nodded toward the car where the girl
still sat.
No" exclaimed Orme vehemently
She has not"
"Mees have um." repeated Arima
I'VE hunt. We see."
Il tell you she has not" said Orme.
mo believe you" Arima chuckled
Come, mees."
AS Orme twisted himself around, he
was enraged to see the Japanese in
the car seize the girl by the arm and
drag her to the ground. Once on her
feet, she did not resist, but permit
ted herself to be led toward the lit
Itle group.
Arima advanced step to meet her.
"'Give me papers," he said.
81 have no papers," she protested
despairingly.
I'VE search you," said Arima. taking
another step toward her and extend
ing his hands.
/, 1t may be that Arima did not intend
actually to lay hands on her. His
thought may have been that the threat
would induce Orme to tell where the
papers really were. But the effect
on Orme was to set him ablaze with
anger.
His swift, indignant purpose seemed
to multiply his strength until the lit
tie men who held him were like chill
dren in his hands.
A sudden jerk. and he had pulled
both his arms free. Maku and the
man at his other side were taken COM
pletely by surprise, and before they
had time to recover themselves, Orme
had thrown his arms around them and
crushed their heads together with
such force that they dropped limp
and unconscious to the ground. They
were out of the fight.
At the first sounds of struggle, Arima
turned. Now, as Orme charged to-
ward him, he bent slightly forward.
every muscle tense. ready to strike
or trip or twist.
His framework was overlaid by mus
cles that were like supple steel. Light
and quick he had strength that
could hardly have been inferred from
his build And though Orme's out
break had been sudden, the japanese
was apparently not In the least dis
concerted.
He knew how to turn the rush OF
the American into a disastrous fall
He knew how to prod with his bony
knuckle the angry mans solar plexus
how to step swiftly aside and bring
the horny edge Of his hand against
sensitive vertebrae. He could seize
Orme by the arm and, dropping back
ward to the ground. land Orme where
he wished him. Yes. Arima had ev-
cry reason to feel confident. Many a
time had he got the better of Amer
dcan fist fighters.
But a system of offense and defense
which is based upon the turning of
an opponents strength against him
self absolutely depends for its success
upon an accurate estimate of the op
ponent's intentions. A sudden shift
of physical purpose may put your jiu'
jitsu adept at a loss.
Arima. from his knowledge of Amer
ican fighting methods. had reason to
think that Orme would continue his
charge and strike out with his fists
when he came near enough. That
however. is something that Orme die
not do. For. In his two previous en-
counters with the Japanese, he hat
learned much. He had learned. among
other things. the value of the unex
pected. And though his anger wal
almost binding he cooled. during
those few short strides. to his usua