The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1913-05-07

close observation, for Arrelsford and
Edith varney had come from the COM
missary generals office, where they
had concealed themselves while
Thorne examined the porch. and had
stepped back to the nearest winuow
and were intently watching. Fortu-
nately his back partially concealed
his actions and the watchers could
not tell exactly what he had done. al
though It was quite evident that he
was in some way altering some kind
of q dispatch.
Just as Thorne began to send the
message Arrelsford accidentally
struck the window with his elbow.
making a slight sound. The instant
he did 30. he and the girl vanished
from sight Once again Thorne re-
leased the key, and his hand moved
quietly but rapidly from the instru-
ment to the revolver. The instant 1t
was in his hand he sprang to his feet.
whirled about, leaped to the gas
bracket and turned on the light The
room was left In darkness. save for
the faint illumination Of the moon
light through the windows.
Immediately he turned of the light
he ran to the doors leading into the
hall. They were provided with heavy.
old-fashioned bolts which he shot
swiftly. locking them on the inside.
Then with the utmost caution he
edged around the wall until he came
to the first window. He waited with
his left hand on the catch Of the win
dow, and with his right advanced his
revolver. After a moments pause he
threw It open quickly and stepped
out on the balcony. 1t was empty as
before.
thought since no one was there, and
he blamed the whole incident to his
overagitated nerves. Indeed. what he
had gone through in the preceding
two hours would have shaken any
mans nerves, might have broken most
mems. He was annoyed at having
wasted precious time. and turned to
the table again. stopping on his way
to relight the light.
Once more he seized the key. He
could telegraph equally well with
either hand. He did not lay down his
revolver on the table this time. but
kept It in his right hand while the
fingers Of his left hand touched the
button. He had scarcely made q dot
Or a dash when there was . sudden
dash OF light and the sound Of an ex-
plosion. that Of heavy revolver.
mingled with the crash of shattered
glass. Captain Thorpe's fingers fell
from the key and Jet of blood squirt
ed out upon the table and the papers.
He rose to his feet with incredible
swiftness, his revolver in his right
hand. only to be confronted by Arrels-
ford at the front window. The latter
held In his hand. pointed fairly and
sQuarely at Thorne. the heavy service
revolver with which he had just shot
him In the left wrist Thorne made
. swift motion with his right hand.
but Arrelsford was too quick for him.
Drop that gum" he shouted. Drop
It quick. or you are dead mani"
There was no possibility Of disobedi-
snce. Thorne Strengthened up and
laid his revolver on the table. The
two confronted each other. and II
looks could have killed they had both
been dead men. The soldier shrugged
his shoulders at last, took his hand
kerchief out of his pocket, put one
end Of 1t between his teeth, and with
the other hand wrapped 1t tightly
around his wounded wrist
The civilian meantime advanced
toward him. keeping him covered
with his revolver.
DO you know why didn't kill you
like the dog you are, Just nowf" he
asked truculently. as he drew nearer.
because you are such damned
bad shot, suppose" coolly answered
Thorne between his teeth. still tying
the bandage, after which he calmly
picked up his cigar and began smok-
ing again with the utmost Indifference.
Whatever fate had in store for him
could better be met, he thought swift
ly at this juncture. provided he kept
his temper, and 30 he spoke as nom
chalantly as before. Indeed his man
ner had always been most irritating
and exacerbating to Arrelsford.
Maybe you will change your mind
about that later on" the latter re-
Joined.
well. hope So" said Thorne. COM
pleting his bandage and tying the knot
30 as to leave the fingers of his left
hand free. You see, 1t isn't pleasant