The Washington times., 1912-10-09
CHAPTER XVIII.
= An Argument and An Arrival.

SuAfIhh ANul.
An Argument and An Arrival.
-o Grafton. waiting tensely as the
steps climbed upward, the sec.
i onds dragged wonderfully.
His only means OF defense stood
ready for instant service. but he had nc
pesceful means had failed. The person
or persons who were coming might even
now prove amenable to reason and ar
sument.-n so SO. IL was better thar
quick steps crossed the Intervening
space. Through the scattered panel ar
evil face leered at Grafton.
Kenyonville's millionaire recoiied in.
the blue black jaw: but he caught him
self and stepped forward again,
Are yon the owner OF this placer
"WelI, II 1 am, dye, think I'm givin
you the right to smash her up In little
sAre YOUR"
NO. Get back there, and"
Grafton's temper was rising.
..Is,! Il wan! that door opened at once"
"Yesl Get the key and unlock it
unless ;. you're looking for future
"oh! I guess we amt worryin' much
And I guess we amt soin' to do nc
Unless you do, my man." said Graf
ton crisply, there's q warm time COM
,nE ,r, for ss, you and the people who keep
II guess they'll stand it."
Grafton bit his lips: he seemed to be
making little headway as concerned MS
Comet" he said, more sharply.
hAA a 4
Get that door open or I'll smash the
rest of II DOWN.
The other merely smiled. .,..
Are you going for the keyF SOL .
You refuse to let me out OF here?"
"Ye might call 1t that, mister"
T suppose you know that you're COM
mittfng criminal offense-that you
are punishable under the law?
The man In the hallway laughed out
I'VE don't spend much time botherin'
with laws in this part OF town. old
man.
well, you'll spend considerable time
getting clear of them when ! am once
out of here ,,sr can s tell YOU that ANT
"nu. I'm going to be. very shortly .
said Grafton furiousiy. For the last
time, are you going to open that door?''
why. dye sec 1t openins?' inquired
Grafton stepped back and raised his
club.
'I'n be out there with you in about
ten seconds" he growled.
The post was swinging around his
hairy hand came through the opening,
ana the voice cried:
Hold on. there"
"What2" Grafton paused, the club
poised in air. Changed your mind.
MOT special-but 1t won't do you
much good to smash that door. mister
You may as well know It before you
start"
'Til see what good It will dor
Say, / gave ye warnin', didn't 70"
warning Of what?" shouted the pris-
"This herer"
The hand disappeared for a moment
and came into view again with a re-
volver clutched tight.
1t was one chance in 10000 Like a
bolt Of thunder. Grafton's club de-
an inch as II disappeared once more
through the panel.
An angry snari came from without.
o.. "pidn,t suppose ye had brains enough
Grafton laughed angrily and raised
his weapon once more; again the voice
came to him through the break.
Hey. now! You saw II, mister an
I amt the one to stop long about usin'
It II YOU go to work and make It neces-
sary.. You get back there an sit down
an there amt nothin' goin' to happen
to ye. But II you try smashing things
any more. or hckin' up a row like
Grafton's answer came swiftly. With
another quick swing, his club crashed
down upon the panels. New sections OF
the wood gave way-a larger opening
had been made.
A sharp growi came from the corridor.
but he gave 1t scant heed. Stepping TO
one side, In preparation for a possible
shot, the bed post was whirled about
and brought down. The upper half Of
floor OF the hallway.
Tho Joy OF battle set Grafton a-tingle.
Once let him demolish that lower half
and leap into the hallway and he was
even with the pistol. Surely 0i''Isi with that
heavy weapon IN his hands. his chances
OF shattering the fellows arm before
he could shoot were almost even.
upon the lower panels: Grafton drew IL
back with q suppressed shout. for tho
other rousing blow and
He lodged back. The revolver ana
sbroans an angry face, behind 1t had poked
For an Instant he faced them-tben
lodged quickly. And as his head
dropped spurt Of flame and a bullet
pSsseasst passed straight through the spot it had
He crouched lower and the gun fol-
loved him-he lodged again and an
other leaden pellet just missed him
30 1t was to be warfare in earnest,
with possible, even probable murder as
the end! Considering It all with light
ming rapidity. Grafton saw but one
course to- follow II he expected to see
kenyonville again outside Of his coffln.
He must surrender. He threw the
club from him, as the quickest sign Of
his defeat. The revolver was trained
upon him for new attempt-but as
the big stick ratified to the floor across
the room, the muzzle lowered. His an
tagohist stepped through the gap and
confronted him with an angry scowl
For a moment they faced each other;
and Grafton realized bitterly that for
the time he was a beaten man. The
other shook his head angrily.
Couldn't take my word for II, hey?"
Grafton did not answer.
cit up!'
The millionaire obeyed.