Gilpin observer., 1912-05-30

the breeze was ripping and delicious,
and the delicate silk Of the paJamas
flowed In little wavelets all the way
from my heels to my neck.
l 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 l could think about
1t to reply. he halted suddenly, almost
pitching forward. Then, with a kind
Of wheezy howl. he sprang to the wall.
Next instant, was blinking under the
dazzling electrolier.
Here, I sayi Shut on that light"
I demonstrated, half blinded.
heard a swift rush across the
rugs. and the next thing knew was
roughly 1erked from out my chair;
strong fingers clutched my throat, and
found myself glaring into a fright
ened but resolute face.
"Jen-Jenkins!" tried to gasp. but
only gurgle came.
! was SO taken unawares, knew II
must be some dashed dream. Per
haps another minute. and would
wake up. But he gripped me tighter
and shook me like rag.
Say, who are your" he hissed.
How did you get In here7"
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 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 l 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. l shot my leg for
ward with mix-up and twist that
made Jenkins loosen his clutch and
stagger backward.
What's the matter with your"
gasped. advancing toward him. Are
you trying to murder me?" But
was SO hoarse, the only word that
came out plainly was murder"
Jenkins uttered a howl. Help. Mr..
Lightnuti Murder!"
You old fool!" cried. exasperated
Come here!"
He was coming. He seized a light
chair and swung 1t behind his head.
Then he rushed me with shout.
"Oh. Mr.. Lightnut!"
Gone clear OF 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!"
With yell. he made kangaroo
Jump and swung at me again.
'He 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 devilish wide
awake in all my life! | was sure
now about that. moved toward him
cautiously.
.
you'll have somebody in. Think
want the police up here?"
With a 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 I remembered the revolver
there, an old forty-tive from a friend
in Denver-and loaded!
My spring to intercept him was
quick, but not quick enough. Half
way to him I 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?" | asked savagely,
for | was getting devilish tired OF 1t
all. But for the publicity, should
have yelled from the window.
where's Mr.. Lightnut?" he de-
manded.
"Oh, he's all right" l decided to
adopt that soothing tone that l had
read somewhere was the proper caper
with lunatics.
"where7" Jenkins insisted. pushing
nearer.
And dashed II l knew what to an
swer; for, II ! made mistake, It
might be serious. by Jove! 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. II Just chucked him down into
the street"
II sounded like a cannon cracker,
that gunl The shower OF splintered