The Nevada County picayune., 1912-04-19

flowed in little wavelets all the way from my heels to my neck.
 was just about dropping of. when l heard some one hurrying along the private hall leading from the back. : >is%.i.s iiiniseh popped into the room.
 Did you ring, sir?" he inquired. and advanced quickly.
 And then, before l could think about 1t to reply, he halted suddenly, almost pitching forward Then, with a kind or wheezy howl, he sprang to the wall Next instant 1 was blinking under the dazzling electrolier.
 Here, l say! Shut off that light" l demonstrated, half blinded.
 heard swift rush across the rugs, and the next thing I knew 1 was roughly jerked from out my chair; strong fingers elutched my throat, and found myself glaring into fright ened but resolute face.
 "Jen-Jenkins!" I tried to gasp, but only gurgle came.
 l was so taken unawares. I knew 1t must be some dashed dream. Per haps another minute, and I would wake up. But he gripped me tighter and shook me like a rag.
 Say, who are you?" he hissed. How did you get in here?"
 And then, of course, knew that he was crazy. Whether he was crazy in dream or crazy with me awake, couldn't guess It made very little difference, anyhow, for 1 knew that in another minute l 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 l don't belong to the athletic club quite for nothing, and have man. aged to pick up few tricks, you know. So with the decision to chuck the dream theory. I shot my leg for ward with a mix-up and twist that made Jenkins loosen his clutch and stagger backward.
 Whats the matter with you?" 1 gasped. advancing toward him. Are you trying to murder me?' But 1 was so hoarse. the only word that came out plainly was murder, D
 Jenkins uttered a howl. Help. MT. Lightnut, Murder!"
 You old fool." I cried, exasperated Come here."
 He was coming. He seized light chair and swung 1t behind his head. Then he rushed me with a shout.
 "Oh. MT Lightnut."
 Gone clear off his nut" was my thought. As he swung the chair, l ducked low. and man and chair went crashing to the floor. But he was up again in a jiffy and dancing at me.
 MT. 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,"
 With yell, he made a kangaroo jump and swung at me again.
 He says he's going to kill me, Mir. Lightnut!' he panted as l lodged again Help me-wake up. sir!"
 Wake up? Wake up. indeed, when I had never been so devilish wide awake in all my life! was sure now about that. I moved toward him cautiously.
 Stop your row." 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 I had just left Its light switch clicked and . A,~{fY d doorway he sprang and dashed for wall cabinet at the side, He began tugging at its little drawer. And sud denly remembered the revolver there, an old forty five from friend in Denver-and loaded,
 My spring to intercept him was quick, but not quick enough! Half way to him l pulled up under the compelling argument of the long blue barrel pointed at my head
 Here, Look out. you fool-it's loaded," I warned, backing away to the window.
 Jenkins advanced. What have you done with him?" he panted hoarsely. Where Is he?"
 Where's who?" I asked savagely, for I was getting devilish tired of 1t all. But for the publicity. l should have yelled from the window
 Where's Mir. Lightnut?" he de handed.
 "Oh, he's all right" l decided to adopt that soothing tone that l had read somewhere was the proper caper with lunatics.
 "Where?" Jenkins insisted. pushing nearer.
 And dashed if knew what to an- swer; for, if I made mistake. 1t might be serious, by love! Perhaps some jocular 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, T just chucked him down into the street"
 It sounded like a cannon cracker, that gun! The shower of splintered