The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-10-04
Rreakina the Bank.


couples and a handful OF
others who preferred the chilly quie-
tude of nature to the throng of the in
terror promenade made up the occu-
pants of the winding paths that cover
the seward slope.
At last Mensmore halted. There
was 10 N in front, and he turned to
look if the terrace were clear behind
him. He caught sight of Bruce, but
did not recognize him and leaned
against a low wall, ~ostensibly to gaze
at the sea until the other had passed.
Claude came up to him and cried:
Hello. Is that you. Mr.. Mensmore?
Isn't it a lovely night
Mensmore, startled at being thus UNI
ex%pectedly addressed by NAME. wheel
ed about, stared at the newcomer and
said very stifiy:
Yes. But | felt rather seedy in the
Casino, so | came here to be alone
'0f course" answered the barrister.
You look a little out of sorts. Per-
haps got a chill, Ell? 1t is dangerous
weather here. particularly on these
heavenly evenings. Come back with
me to the hotel and have a stiff brandy
and soda. 1t will brace you up"
Mensmore flushed a little at this per-
sistence.
II tell you,' he growled, that l only
require to be left in peace. and l shall
soon recover from my indisposition.
l am awfully obliged to you, but
But you wish me to walk on and
mind my own ~businessT'
Not exactly that, old chap. Please
don't think me rude. | am very sorry,
but | can't talk much tonight
so | understand. That is why l
think it is best for you to have COM
pany. even such disagreeable compan-
ionship as my own"
"Confound it. man. cried the other,
now thoroughly irritated; tell me
which way you are going. and | will
take the other. Why on earth cannot
you take a polite hint and leave me to
myself?"
1T is precisely because | am good at
taking a hint that / positively refuse
to leave you until you are safely land
ed at your hotel. Indeed, may stick
to you then for some hours"
The devil take you. What do you
mean:"
Exactly what | say"
IF you don't quit this instant will
punch your head for you"
All, You are recovering already.
But before you start active exercise
take your overcoat off. That revolver
in the breast pocket might go off acct
dentally, you know. Besides, as l shall
hit back. | might fetch my knuckles
against it. and that would be hardly
fair. Otherwise. l can do as much in
the punching line as you can, any
day"
This reply utterly disconnected Mems
more.
Look here" he said, avoiding
Bruce's steadfast gaze, what are you
talking about? What has it got to do
with you anyhow
"Oh. a great deal. My business prin-
cipally consists in looking after other
people's affairs. Just now it is my
definite intention to prevent you from
blowing out your brains, or what pass
for them
Then all ! can say is that | wish
YOU were in Jericho. 1t is your own
if you get into trouble over this
Had you gon about your
business | would have waited. AS
il is
1t so happened that the guard, hav-
ing nothing better to do. strolled along
the terraces by the same path that
and Bruce had followed.
The first sight that met his astonished
eyes when in the flood of moonlight
ne discovered their identity. was the
each other like a pair of wildcats.
"Parbleu," he shouted; "the solitary
ones are f%ighting."
He ran forward. drawing his short
sword. ready TO stick the weapon into
either of the combatants If the majes-
ty of the law in his own person were
not ut once respected.
In reality the affair was simple
e. ugh. Mensmore made an i%neffectu-
al attempt to draw his revolver, and
Bruce pinioned him before he could
ret his hand up to his pocket. Both
men were equally matched, and it was
difficult to say how the struggle might
have ended had not the sword brand
Ishing guard appeared on the scene.
Claude. even in this excited situa-
ion, kept his senses Mensmore. blind
with rage and the madness of II who
would voluntarily plunge into the Val
of the Shadow. took heed of naught
save the effort to rid himself of the
restraining clutch.
Put way your sword. Seize his
arms from behind. He is a suicide,
shouted the barrister to the Gesticulat-
ne and shrieking Frenchman.
Fortunately Bruce was an excellent
insuist. The man caught Mensmores
rms, put n knee in the small or his
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