Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-23

N(.Al
S~SSa~ broke small branch from one of the
nearby and tossed it lightly on the
snow beside the two men, as though it were a signal
Tor battle.
Il lucky chance!" said AIagee. you're I've
been longing to meet especially the professor left
his window open this afternoon
"Indeed!7 replied the other calmly. MAY ask
what want of nle?'
Certainly Magee laughed "a little package
think it's your pocket at this minue,-a package
bigger than man hand.
The stranger made reply; but looked quickly
about his shoulder at the path along which he had
and then past Aagee the road that led to free
dom.
Il think it's in your pocket" repeated NIagee, land
I'm going to find out
Il haven't time argue with you, said the holder of
the seventh key His voice cold, calculating harsh
Get out of my way and let me pass, or"
~Or what?7 asked Billy Magee.
He watched the man lunge toward him in the moon
light He the fist that had the night before been the
Waterloo of Max and the Mayor start swift true
for his head. Quickly he lodged to side and
closed with his opponent.
Back and forth through the they plowed, pant
ing graphing strainng Magee realized that his
adversary was weaking He was forced to call into
play muscles he had not used in what seemed ages-nOt
since he sported of afternoon in rather odorous
college gymnasium. In moonlight and shadow up and
down they reeled staggered stumbled the sole Earring
notes in that picture of Badpate quiet winters
night
stranger: "but you'll never queer it again.
Magee saved his breath. Together they crashed
against the side of the inn Together they squirned
away the balcony to the railing. Still back and
forth, in the moonlight, in shadow, wildly they
fought Once Magee felt his feet slip from beneath him.
but caught himself in time. His strength going
surely-quicklv. Then suddenly his opponent seemed
to weaken in his grip. With supreme effort Mage
forced him down upon the balcony floor, and tumbled
top of him. He felt the chill of the under his
knees. and its in his cuffs.
"NOw! he cried to himself.
The other still struggled desperately. But his strug
gle without For deity Billy Magee drew
from his pocket the precious package about which there
had been SO much debate Badpate Mountain. He
casped it close, rose, and ran In another second he
was inside number seven, and had lighted candle at
the blazing logs.
ONCE more he examined that closely packed little
- bundle; more he found it rich in greenbacks.
Assuredly was the greatly desired thing he had fought
he told himself he would lose sight of it until he had
placed it in the hands of the girl of the station.
The dark shadow of the man he had just robbed was
lowering at his windows. Magee turned hastily to the
door. As he did SO it opened and Hayden entered He
carried pistol in his hand. His face hard, cruel,
determined His usually expressonless eyes lighted
with pleasure they fell the package in Magee's
possession.
1T m just in time he said, ~to prevent high
W5tV robbery
You think so?7 asked Magec
See here, young man" remarked Hayden, CHANGING
nervousy over his shoulder. a can't waste any time
in talk. Does that money belong to YOU? No. Well,
it does belong I'm going to have it. Don't
think I'm afraid to shoot to get it. The law permits
man to fire on the thief who tries to fleece him..
ne law, uld you say! laughed Billy Mdgee. Il
shouldn't drag the law into this if | YOU Mr.. Hay
den. / m it has connection with Bald
pate Mountain. You would be the last want its
tenton directed here. I've got this money and I'm
going to keep it
Hayden considered brief moment, and then
under his breath "iou're right he said. I'm not
going TO shoot. But there other WAYS YOU whpper
snapper" He dropped the revolver into his pocket
and sprang forward. Fot the second time within ten
minutes Magee steaded himself for conflict.
PUT Hayden stopped. Someone had entered the