Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-05-24

and the delicate silk Of the paJamas
flowed In little wavelets all the way
from my heels to my neck.
was just about dropping on, when
I heard some one hurrying along the
private hall leading from the back.
Jenkins himself popped into the room.
Did you ring. sir?" he inquired,
and advanced quickly.
And then, before could think about
It to reply. he halted suddenly. almost
pitching forward. Then, with kind
OF wheezy howl. he sprang to the wall.
Next instant, was blinking under the
dazzling electrolier.
Here. l sayi Shut on that light"
I demonstrated. half blinded.
heard a swift rush across the
rugs. and the next thing know was
roughly jerked from out my chair;
strong fingers olutched my throat, and
I found myself glazing into a fright
ened but resolute face.
"Jen-Jenkinsi" tried to gasp, but
only gurgle came.
was 30 taken unawares, knew 1t
must be some dashed dream. Per
haps another minute, and I would
wake up. But he grippsd mo tighter
and shook me like a rag.
Say, who are your" he Kissed.
How did you get in hersf"
And then, Of course, knew that he
was crazy. Whether he was crazy
In dream or crazy with mic awake.
couldn't guess. It made very little
difference. anyhow. for knew that in
another minute / should be either
dream dead or real dead; and dash
me If could see any odds worth toss
ing for in either. you know.
But / don't belong to the athletic
club quite for nothing, and have man.
aged to pick up a few tricks, you
know. So with the decision to chuck
the dream theory, / shot my leg for
ward with a mix-up and twist that
made Jenkins loosen his clutch and
stagger backward.
Whats the matter with your" 1
gasped, advancing toward him. Are
you trying to murder me7" But
was SO hoarse. the only word that
came out plainly was murder"
Jenkins uttered howl. Help. MI.
Lightnutl Murder!"
You old fooli" cried, exasperated.
Come here!"
He was coming. He seized a light
chair and swung it behind his head.
Then he rushed me with a shout.
"Oh. Mr.. Lightnut!"
Gone clear off his mutt" was my
thought. AS he swung the chair,
ducked low. and man and chair went
crashing to the floor. But he was up
again in a Jiffy and dancing at me.
'Mr. Lightnut. sir. why don't you
help me?"
Help you-you jolly idiot?" NUT
tered Indignantly. Then my voice
raised: I've a mind to kill you'll"
With a yell. he made a kangaroo
jump and swung at me again.
He says he's going to kill me. MI.
Lightnut," he painted as l lodged
again. Help me-wake up. sirl"
Wake up? Wake up, indeed, when
had never been SO devilish wide
awake in all my life! was sure
now about that. I moved toward him
cautiously.
stop your row!" l cried angrily;
you'll have somebody in. Think l
want the police up here?"
With a glare at me, Jenkins darted
past me to the bedroom l had Just
left Its light switch clicked, and
then back through the frightened
doorway he sprang and dashed for a
wall cabinet at the side. He began
Juggling at its little drawer. And sud-
denly remembered the revolver
there, an old forty-five from a friend
in Denver-and loaded!
My spring to intercept him was
quick, but not quick enough! Half
way to him / pulled up under the
compelling argument of the long blue
barrel pointed at my head.
Here! Look out, you fool-it's
loaded" / warned, backing away to
the window.
Jenkins advanced. What have you
done with him?" he painted hoarsely.
Where is he?"
where's who?" l asked savagely.
for 1 was getting devilish tired of it
all. But for the publicity, / should
have yelled from the window.
where's Mr.. Lightnut?" he de-
manded.
"Oh, he's all right" / decided to
adopt that soothing tone that l had
read somewhere was the proper caper
with lunatics
"Where9" Jenkins insisted. pushing
nearer.
And dashed II l knew what to an
swer; for, II I made mistake. It
might be serious. by Jove! Perhaps
some 1ocular reply would be safest
might divert his attention, you know.
The open window gave me an idea.
why, do you know" l said pleas
antly, ct Just chuoked him down into
the street"
49, c,,-t Tho chnwor 0f aDlfnforod