El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-03-15

land then it will be time enough. Why,
it isn't more than o'clock" y.
The newcomer was five feet nearer
Were you ever in this house. be-
fore?" I asked.
Il should say sony freside COM
panion answered Don't you remem-
Der that big burglary here. FIVE years
ago? Mr. Barton wasn't living here at
that time, though"
why, yes, I remember that" I re-
sponded. All the papers had big stor-
les about it. But I didn't know that
you were@
A finely muscled hand was stealing
around to grasp my captor's pistol
arm. The revolver was within an inch
of the back Of his head.
Eyes, by gosh-that was my case"
he went on proudly. while I set my
muscles tense for a spring. 1T was
just such a night as this. too
sneaked up behind my man, and -
Grabbed him." finished the other
man swapping my captor's revolver
from him. and bending his arms back
until he sat powerless-
Very cleverly done" I said. as 1
jumped to my rescuers aid. Thrust
ing hand into the prisoners pocket,
1 drew forth my revolver.
Tie his hands," the new arrival di-
rected You'll find some stout cord
in the drawer of that table"
He held the mans hands while i
knotted the cord securely about his
wrists Then we showed him well back
into the arm chair before the fire.
You are Mr.. Ford, no doubt said
my rescuer, holding out his hand to
me. 81 am Mr. Barton"
Il am most happy to meet you, Mr..
Do 7 ho 7o6
strange that 1 should be enjoying the
hospitality of your house without hav-
ing met you before"
That's all right" he answered cor
daily, lighting a cigar after he had
passed fresh one to me. Il had hoped
to get here as soon as you did this
evening; but my train was snowbound
a couple of times on the way down
from town, and it was to meet just
such an emergency that I sent the boy
to you by post
The man in the arm chair seemed to
be having a fit of apoplexy. His face
was purple. He seemed to be strug-
Cling for words through an ecstasy of
bewilderment and anger
Are you Mr.. Baritone" he finally
gasped.
II am" was the response.
."Confound you. Bartonw exclaimed
the other, working himself to an up
right position. IT am detective inspec-
tor Martin, of the detective force. This
IS a fine piece of work-holding up
an officer of the law in the, pursuit
of his duty. I'll have you in Jail for
thisr'
The mans TRADES and expostnla-
tions were as unfruitful as they were
ludicrous. They amused both Barton
and myself, especially when the fellow
squirmed to his feet and beloved:
ST warn you, Barton, that your guest
there is a dangerous criminal"
You haven't brought very good ref
erences with you. Ford laughed Bar
ton.
Il have my papers to prove my iden-
tity and my authority" shouted our
prisoner. open my coat, and you'll
see them
you can easily forge them COM
mented, and could not help giving the
fellow a humorous poke in the ribs.
How did you happen to discover my
DANGER" I asked, turning to Barton.
well. you know, l sent you my front
door key" he replied, $50 1 borrowed
a basement key from one of the SER
wants. We took our two domestics up
to Scotland with US, you know. The
noise of the storm probably drowned
the sound of my entrance. 1 thought
1t strange when I heard voices up
here, for. know you wouldn't be talk
ing to yourself; so I picked up a re-
volver, and sneaked up quietly to make
sure of what was going on. 1 found
you sitting there, at the point of {.
pistol"
You have my everlasting gratitude,
Mr. Barton I said warmly.
Don't mention it. old man." he said
NOW. I think I'll get you to summon
the police. I'm sorry the telephone
isn't in use, but I had it disconnected
for the period I was to be away in
Scotland. However. the police station
is only a short distance along this
street to the south. I'll watch this
scamp till you bring help"
The man in the arm chair seemed
about to have another apoplectic
stroke as he saw me start for the door,
but Mr. Barton quieted him by four
ishing his revolver in his face.