The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-03-05
sYNopsts,


CHAPTER I--Richard Lightnut, an
American with an affected English ac-
cent receives present from a friend In
China.
CHAPTER 1.-THE present proves to
be a pair Of najamas. A letter hints or
surprises to the wearer.
CHAPTER III.-Liehtnut dons the pa
jamas and late at night gets up for a
smoke. His servant Jenkins, comes in
and, falling 70 recognize Iightnut, at
tenpts to put him out. Thinking the SER
want crazy, Lightnut changes his clothes
intending to summon help. When he re-
appears Jenkins falls on his neck with
joy, confirming Lghtnut's belief that he
is crazy
"IIe says he's going to kill me. Mr..
Lightnut." he painted as ! lodged
again HELP me-wake up, sir!
Wake up? Wake up, indeed. when
had never been so deyilish wide
awake in all my life! | was sure
now about that. moved toward him
cautiously.
stop your row'" I cried angriiy;
youth have somebody in. Think
want the police up here?'
With glare at me, jenkins darted
past me to the bedroom ! 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.
"Herel 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?' I asked savagely.
for | was getting devilish tired of it
all. But for the publicity, l 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 | had
read somewhere was the proper caper
With innatics,
"WheFe?' jenkins insisted. pushing
nearer
And dashed if l knew what to an
swer; fer, if l niafe a mistake, it
might be serious, BY love! Perhaps
some ocular reply would be safest
might divert his attention. you know
The open window gave me an ideg
why. do you know" said pleas
antly, i just ehucked him down into
the street,
1t sounded like cannon cracker,
that gum The shower OF splinfefed
glass from the picture between the
windows barely missed me. But
never waited second--for this last
devilish straw was too much. don't
you know, and something had to be
done. leaped for the weapon as 1t
struck the hardwood floor between us,
jerked from jenkins hand by the I'M
familiar upward kick. Another In
slant and ! was poking the muzzle
into his side.
I've just had enough of this, you
fool" ! cried impatiently. Here,
take good look at mel" pushed my
face closer. Look at me. tell you."
BY Jove. he shuddered! His eyes,
wide distended with terror, rolled to
the ceiling.
Il can't" he whispered; II Just
can't--anything but that! Only, please
--please don't kill me, too" ID
Kill your / said, frowning sternly
as he gave a furtive glance. Il Ger.
tainly will. If you don't take a good
look at mel"
He gave a sort of despairing sigh
and closed his eyes so tightly the
lashes disappeared SAN right, then,
he said sullenly; you may kill mel"
The way with these lunatics, /
thought. Next thing, he would be
begging and insisting that / kill him.
motioned to the door of my guest
room and gave him push.
In there" said, "and keep per.
fectly quiet"
And as he shot inside, closed the
door and locked 1t. / just had to take
the chance OF his hurting himself
against the walls and furniture; |
didn't believe he was SO crazy he
would undertake the six-story leap to
the ground. Listening. heard some.
thing like sob. Then | caught my
name.
Poor Mr.. Lghtnut," came choking.
ly; "the kindest, gentlest masterl',
And then more sobs and gulps.
BY Jove, under his insane delusion,
the poor beggar was grieving for me !;
not thinking Of himself at ali, YOU
know. ! felt my eyes grow a bit
moist, somehow, and all at once my
heart went heavy. Thought how long
1 poor old Jenkins had been with me-
ever since was out Of college, you
khow-five years-and remembered
how devilish faithful and attached he
had always been. Poor old jerks! Ii
was awful his going of this way!
recalled how he had taken to seeing
4 things, earlier In the evening, and hat
made me see them, too, dash I'll On,
thing ! determined: whatever had Il