Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-25
MeMAN> n fhs,.
BROWN DERBY
~,
Wells hASTlNeS
~o Author Of GEO
The Professors Mystery
(0pyriAll9llby Bobsl's''a y
CHAPTER xxvr1-(Continued.)

CHAPTER XXVII-( Continued
stood passiyely, knowing that l
should not be shot at with the doctor
behind he, for bullet of any caliber
would pierce us BOTH so that let my
arms drop at my side, as If the odds
were at last too great for me; and
myself away from the doctors foolish
hold, and struck the man with the re-
yolver Keeling back against the desk.
He dropped the weapon as he fell, and
stamped on Doctor Mayhew's fingers
as he reached for it, so that he yelled
with pain like little boy. Then l
stepped back to the doorway and, with
the little mercenary at my heels, raced
for the stairs.
There was muff1ed sound Of hub
bub in the upper hall, trampling Of
feet, stifled scream, and then, to my
establishment, a trill of pealing laugh
ter; then again the scuffle and the
trampling. had just decided that this
came from Mrs. Lathrops room, when
the door opened, and down the dim
hall, her hand still hesitant upon the
latch. poised as lightly and as straight
and fair as some young goddess,
Nancy stood looking about her
In moment, and almost before I
could move. she had seen me and ran
joyfully forward, straight into my
arms her own she flung about my
neck, and l caught her to me and
kissed her in a binding wave Of happi-
ness. For little neither of us spoke,
only she chung very closely to me;
while a measureless relife and Joy
surged dizzily at my heart and brain.
Nancy gave q little sigh and stirred
gently in my arms "You must let me
go, Mason she whispered.
mo, right away" as held her clos
er. Listen, Mason, do listen. We
must hurry, hurry, you understand.
Mrs. Olsen is in there with Mrs. La
throp. Come, you must help her right
away" She tugged in imploring i'm
patience at my hand.
Mrs. Olsen," l repeated, trying to
clear my brain.
Eyes," said Nancy; "she came into
my room and got me, you know, and
put me in with Mrs. Lathrop. A little
while ago she came back, and Mrs.
Lathrop was waiting for her, and
oh, do hurry, Mason"
"All right" said; 'but I'm not 60
ing to let you out OF my sight again
for any Mrs. Lathrop."
"Of course not said Nancy.
Hurry lS n
Now that I thought about 1t again,
heard that the trampling still contin-
ued, and as we reached the room, an
other muffled shrek sounded from
within I threw the door wide open,
I'D of a
strange sight within. A great striped,
blue-ticked pillow lay at my very feet.
The floor was tangled swirl of sheets
and blankets, and over it gyrated a
broad and apparently headless figure,
to which very rumpled Mrs. Lathrop
chung with little, wiry arms.
What on earth!" exclaimed.
"A pillow case" said Mrs. Lathrop,
over her shoulder, as the Whirling
headless figure swung her half off her
feet. Get sheet and tie her up.
Cant you see I'm busy?"
snatched a sheet from the floor,
and after some difficulty succeeded in
swathing Mrs. Olsen in it like num-
my, and laying her on the bare springs
of the bed.
IL snuffed her out like a CANDLE"
Mrs Lathrop chuckled, gaspingly, as
she twisted her disordered hair into
place. Thank Heaven, that pillow
as the rest of the bedclothes. l was
waiting for her as she came in. I
guess we're about square now" She
pushed a long hair-pin home and
sighed contentedly.
"Well," l said, "she will at least do
very we'll where she is. And now l
think we'd better be going"
Indeed, l momentarily began to
dread fresh attack from Doctor May
hew and his man.
l glanced up axiously. Nancy was
standing in the doorway and, behind
her in the hall stood the little mer-
cenary. Following my gaze, Mrs. La
throp caught sight of her.
well Flora she said, ION the
whole you have done very nicely
Suppose you run to the head of the
stairs so you can let us know II any
ones coming. Now, Mason Ellsworth,
how do you propose to get us poor
women out of here?''
"I'm not quite sure" said; "either
by the front door or by the. back door.
ri hav to see how things are below"
Then Mrs. Lathrop chirped, with
a triumphant glance backward at the
bundled form Of Mrs. Olsen, you go
on ahead and Nancy and will come
after YOU
wait minute l said, when we
got into the hall; II have scheme"
And leaving them standing together,
l ran to the room where l had been
trapped, and swung Doctor Morrison
up on my shoulder. found him lying
in the same position, grooming a little
with some slight signs of returning
life; but over my shoulder he lay limp
ly enough, with swaying arms that
thudded against my back as I ran.
Nancy turned white and gave a little
gasp as I came back with him. Mrs.
Lathrop skipped around behind me to
make sure who it was that carried.
Good boy" she said, In such q
triumphantly sporting tone and with
such an Undesirable emphasis of
fellow conqueror, that, for all the
grave work still before me, laughed
in spite Of myself.
The little mercenary met US at the