The Washington times., 1911-07-13
CHAPTER XII.
The Boot on the Other Leg.

r. OR the moment l could not real
r. ize what had taken place. for
the two bodies crashed against
me together and l was hurled
backward, my head coming into vio-
| lent contact with the wall.
Then, the effects of the shock passing,
1 understood that Morgan and the cap
tain were engaged in a silent struggle,
while McGregor lowered over them
waiting for a chance to seize the enemy
| by leg or arm.
got upon my feet, my head buzzing
ana ideas at Eixes and sevens Then 1
realized L no longer had the paper,
nor could l see it lying Oh the ca,pet
near the spot where I had stood. 1t
was McGregor who enlightened me.
he tried to snatch it, sir; he was
Tight on top of you when Mr,-Rascom
ploGked him off. It's Under them, and
Morgan had forced the capta,n.s,
risht arm at full length upon the floor
the little Scotchman fnterrupted his ex
plahatlon by throwing himself forward
upon the extended member, to which
ne clung with the grimness of despair.
fo,. was now my turn to take hand.
LOT not only the paper, but the Bres-
IAN tn revolver was somewhere beneath
the heavlng mass. Three against one
Is overwhelming odds. and we soon had
me IelloW over, when, while Morgan
ana McGregor pinned him down, | Sc
cured the list and weapon. The for
mer tucked carefully away in NV fob
pocket. the latter l rendered harmless
Dy throwing out the cartridges Then [
prisoner.
Captain Haupmann exhibited a cool
ness unexpected under the circum-
stances. Being permitted to get upon
ng-1- x
pocket handkerchief and wiped away
the perspiratiOn which was streaming
down his face. A dull red showed un-
ger the coat of tan, and / noted his
hanaS trembled slightly; but his voice
was firm enough when he addressed me.
1t would appear the boot is on the
other leg-for the moment; through su-
periority of numbers" said he grimly.
TEen he glanced at the revolver which
l had tossed upon the bed
IT seems you have taken precautions.
although II is three against one. Was
it fear Of bullet or the report you
wished to guard against?"
Perhaps BOTH" | answered shortly
"A loaded revolver in the hands of q
desperate man is always dangerous"
And you consider me a desperate
man."
Naturally: a traitor to the ruling
government is always a desperate indi-
vidual-unless he lacks courage. To con-
spire against such man as the Baron
Won Seldorf requires courage; paTtlCu-
larly so in the case of an officer attach
ed to the baron's personal body guard. |
Now the Countess Won Holleun is
brave woman; but, being a woman,
with Major Shulhof and Captain Haup-
manu- can imagine the ending"
He nodded. and l saw him swallow
several times; as one swallows in the
face Of great crisis. But he made no
attempt al a denial, nor pretended TO |
treat the matter lightly. Probably he |
realized that denial was useless; the |
momentary terror which had prompted !
him 10 try to snatch the paper had |
been confession.
! saw his gaze shift from one object !
to another in the room. Then. before |
Ould divine what he contemplated, he |
made a sudden leap forward. past me.
and upon the bed Snatching up the |
revolver. he backed against the wall.
his feet planted firmly on the yielding
.Ovcring.
On the instant the revolvers in the
hands OF Morgan and McGregor were
hollow laugh.
"If could shoot you all and destroy
the paper before any one entered
would not hesitate. You think YOU will
Ter slow torture in the castle yonder;
do not think So" said he hoarsely.
Morgan uttered an exclamation and
started forward. With a rapid move
nent the Brescian raised his revolver,
turned the muzzle upward so 1t pressed
gainst his jaw just below the ear.
We heard the click as he pressed the
spring He uttered a sharp oath and
his finger frightened a second. third,
a fourth and a fifth time; only as
many clicks answered the pulling OF
he trigger. He had not seen rpe throw
,ut the five cartridges which filled the
-ylinder.
\ Continuation of This story Will Be