The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1913-04-16

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closest observation, both realized that
they were expected to betray relation
ship, which would incriminate both.
and probably result fatally for one and
certainly ruin the plan. Thorne's cue
was to regard his brother as the pris-
oner whom It was important to arrest.
and Dumont's cue was to regard his
brother as an enemy with whom 1t
was his duty to struggle. The minds
Of the two were made up instantly.
With q quick movement Dumont
sought to pass his brother. but with
. movement equally rapid Thorne
ieaped upon him. shouting again:
"Halt, I say!"
Tho two men instantly grappled. 1t
vas no mimic struggle that they en-
gagged in. either. They were Of about
equal heigh. and weight; II anything.
Thorne was the stronger, but this ad
vantage was Offset by the fact that he
had been recently Ill. and the two
fought therefore on equal terms at
first. 1t was a fierce. desperate grap-
pie in which they met. As they strug-
gled. both by common impulse.
reeled toward that part Of the room
near the mantel which was farthest
away from doors or windows. and
where they would be the least likely
to be overheard or to be more closely
observed. As they fought together.
Thorne called out again:
Corporal of the guard. hero is your
man! Corporal of the guard. what
are you doing?"
At that instant the two reeling
bodies struck the wall next to the
manteI with a fearful smash, and Q
chair that stood by was overturned
by q quick movement on the part Of
Henry Dumont, who did not know his
brother had already received the Inn
portant message. In the confusion Of
the moment, he Kissed in Thorne's
ear:
ATTACK tonight plan 8. use tele-
graph! Did you get thatf"
YES" returned Thorne. still keep
ing up the struggle.
Good" said Dumont. They are
watching us Shoot me In the leg"
mo. l can't do it." whispered
Thorne-
All the while the two men were reel
ing and staggering and struggling
against the wall and furniture. The
encounter would have deceived the
most suspicious.
Shoot, shoot" said the elder.
Il can't shoot my brother" the
younger painted out.
TT II the only way to throw them
on the scent" persisted Dumont
4 won't do It," answered Thorne,
and then he shouted again:
Corporal of the guard, have your
prisoner!"
Let me go. damn you'll" roared Du-
mont furiously. making another des-
perate effort--K you don't do II, I
WILL" he added under his breath. Give
me the revolver!"
mo. no. Harry" was the whispered
reply. and Surrender, curse you'll"
the shouted answer. You'll hurt your
SELF" he pleaded.
II don't care" muttsred Dumont
Let me have It"
His hands slipped down from
Thorne's shoulders and grasped the
butt of the revolver. The two Crap
pied fercely. but the struggle was be-
ginning to tell on Thorne. who was
not yet in full possession Of his ply
steal vitality. His long illness had
capped his strength.
Don't don't, for Gods sake!" he
whispered. and then shouted desper-
atsly: Here's your man. corporal,
what's the matter with your"
-0ive mo that gun." said Dumony.
- In spite Of himself his voice rose
again. There was nothing suspicious
IN the words. 1t was what he might
have said had the battle been a real
ooe; a. he spoke by a more violent
sfDrt he wrenched the weapon from
Do holster and away from Thorneis
6staining hand. The latter sought
0nsperately to repossess himself Of IL.
Look out. HarryI You'll hurt your
self." he implored, but the next mo.
meut BY . superhuman effort Dumont
threw him back As Thorne stag
gered. Dumont turned the pistol on
himself. Recovering himself with in
credible swiftness. Thorne leaped at
his brother, and the two figures went
down together with q crash In the
midst Of which rang out the sharp re-
port of the heavy weapon. Instead OF
shooting himself harmlessly in the
side, in the struggle Dumont had un-
fortunately shot hiunAH through the