Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-02-02

orme had had a revolver, he would
now have drawn it. Yet he knew that
this was not a case for firearms. OBJ
viously, If he used a dangerous weapon
In these mems rooms and was after
ward caught, 1t would fare hard with
him, for the real facts would be sup
pressed and he would be sentenced as
an ordinary ho~usebreaker, perhaps
with some clemency due to his person
al standing.
A quick intuition told him that he
would not escape lightly If they fairly
got their hands on him. The two
Japanese had hitherto shown much pa
tience with him. Their desire seemed
to have been to avoid hurting him any
more than was necessary. But there
is a limit to Japanese patience. The
scathing words of the Japanese minis
ter must still be burning in Arima's
brain. And Maku, who had controlled
himself while Orme was following him
through the streets of the North side,
no longer had a diplomatic reason for
restraining his rage against the man
who had struck him down. In any
event, the eyes of Arima and Maku
glittered angrily, and Orme realized
that he could expect no mercy.
He caught up a chair and raised ii
over his head, prepared to bring il
down on Arima, who was only a few
feet from him and coming fast.
The Japanese raised his arms tc
fend the expected blow. With sudden
inspiration, Orme hurled the chair al
his opponents feet. There was a crash
Arima sprawled headlong. Maku, who
was close behind, tried to leap ovel
Arima, but his feet went through the
rungs of the chair, and he, too, crashed
to the floor.
AS he threw the chair, Orme leapeG
back. Before the Japanese could gel
out of their tangle, he had jumped
over the window sill and was running
upthe fire escape. Madam ALA was a
her window, a look of startled inquiry
on her face. She stepped back as he
crowded into the room.
Quick" he said. They'll be aftel
me. Hide me somewhere"
"Come!" She took his sleeve ant
pulled him to a corner. There she
pushed aside the dingy hanging ant
Orme saw that the wall was covered
with a wainscoting that ran from foo
to ceiling.
The medium looked at him will
bright eyes. You're the real sort,
she whispered, and a wave of colo
in her cheeks brought back the sug
gestion of girlish beauty. 81 saw tina
scrap there through a hole in tn,
floor. You're the goods" She pressed
his arm almost a~ffectionately, then
with her free hand, she pushed agains
the %paneling. Noiselessly a section o
it turned inward, disclosing a dark cav
ity. Get in"
Orme quickly slipped into the dark
ness, the panel closed, and he hear,
the swish of the hanging as 1t droppe,
against the board.
1t was not too soon. Two soft thud
told him that the Japanese had droppet
over the sill into the room.
He heard the woman give q well
feigned scream of surprise.
,"'Scuse us, miss"-it was Arima's
voice-'we looking for sneak thief. Hi
come in here"
BE off with you. I've Just come
from the front room there, and there
wasn't a soul came in"
I'VE saw him"
HE must have gone out to the hall
then" The woman's voice had a note
Of mollification-as though she hao
suddenly recognized the right of the
two Japanese to enter the apartment
Il didn't hear him"
A few words of Japanese colloouy;
then Arima: II look around. NV
friend go to hall" A door closed; evi
IDENTIFY Maku had gone out; and then
Orme heard steps, After this there
was a long wait, while the Japanese
examined the other rooms, the woman
evidently offering him her aid. At last
they returned.
well, l go back" said Arima. ~
saw him come in the window. My
friend will know See you later"
Presently the m raised the
hanging and whispered through the
boards: HE went back down the fire
escape. His friends In the hall. He'll
find out you haven't went down, and
then he'll come back"
"Tll try the roof" whispered Orme.
Perhaps I a get on to anotherAouse
that way"
Wait till l see," She walked away
but soon returned.
mo, use" he heard her say. "That
Jap's a sitting on the fire escape watch.
ing, He grinned when / looked down
Orme %pondered. Help me out OF
this" he whispered, "and there'll be
something in 1t for you"
She moved impatiently. "Cut it out!
| don't want nothing. You're a good
sport, that's all" She paused. mot
that I'd mind having a present. But ]
don't want no money"
Orme caught the distinction. "Tll
remember" he said. "And what shall
I do now?"
you'll have to stay In there a while,
| guess"
II simply must get away-and with.
In an hour or two"
I'll manage that, sac answered con.
fidently.
But how
You'll see. Just leave It to me-
Orme smiled to himself, there in the
darkness OF course. he would leave II