The Washington times., 1913-02-24

flesh round his windpipe. He fought
vatnly for q time to escape strangula-
ton. Eventually he struggled out of
the corner and gave ground through
the doorway into his sitting-room.
For some minutes the night in that
quiet room high above the city, was
rendered wild violent with the crash
OF overturning furniture and the thud
and thump of struggling bodies.
Then, by some accident little short
and plunged across the room In what
he imagined to be the direction of the
dresser in which he kept q revolver.
His foot slipped on the hardwood
floor, the ankle twisted, and he fell
awkwardly. striking his head against
table leg with such force that he
lay half stunned.
An instant later his assailant emp
tied five chambers Of revolver into
the darkness about him, and then.
alarmed by a racket OF pounding on
the hall door, fed successfully by way
and nefghboring back yards.
: By the time was able to
pull himself together and hobble to open
the door a brace Of intelligent police
men who had been summoned by the
hall boys were threatening to break 1t
down. Admitted, they took his safety
into their care and, simultaneously, the
mitted possessing. Later they depart
ed, obviously disgruntled by the nnpro-
fessional conduct Of the crook" who
had left no Clues and warning the
householder that he might expect to be
summoned to court as soon as he was
able to move. to answer for the crime
of keeping a weapon of defense. Whit
aker went to bed in company with q
black temper and the aroma Of arnica.
He entertained, the next day. several
persons: reporters, physician, a fu-
tile, superhuous, unornamental crea-
ture. misleadilngly designated a plain
clothes man: finally his friend (by now
their acquaintance had progressed close
upon the point Of friendship Ember.
aker getting into his clothes; cere-
mony distinguished py some profanity
and numerous grunts.
Afternoon" he said, taking a chair
and surveying the sufferer with slight
ly masked amusement. Having a good
timer
You go to thunder. said Whitaker
in disgust. . '. o.. ....
''Glad to. see you're not hurt much"
pursued the other. unabashed
Whitaker withered him with a stare.
Il suppose it's nothing TO have q shoul-
der and arm black-and-blue to the ell
bow; q bump on the side of my head as
big as a hard-boiled egg! A bruised
throat and an ankle next door to
sprained! oh, no-I'm not much hurt
You're lucky to be alive" observed
Ember, exasperatingiy philosophic.
"A lot you know about itr',
I'm a canny' little guesser.'' Ember
admitted modestly.
"Where'd You get your information?''
Ember waved a noncommittal hand.
II hear things"
.-Oh, yes-you know a lot I suppose
you could lay this thug who assaulted
me by the heels in brace Of shakes?"
Just about" Ember admitted. plac-
Idly. Il wouldn't mind trying"
Then why don't you!" Whitaker de-
manded heatedly.
Il had a notion you wouldn't wish me
Whitaker stared assressively. You
mean-Drummond?"
The answer was q nod.
"I don't believe IT.
You'll at all events DO me the credit
TO recall that warned You two months
ago
You haven't missed any property. I
believer"
No."
so presumably the fellow had some
motive other than robbery to bring him
here. Besides, IL he'd been on the loot
ne HisHt' Iucn easier nave uled ohe VI
the lower floors-and more sensibly.''
1T would seem So" Whitaker ad-
mitted. sulkily. =
And then that missing switch-but-
ton" --.r
What do you know about that?,'
NV sources of information. 1t strikes
me that a man. who took that much
trouble. to prevent you from turning
on the light must have been rather
anxious to avoid recognition. shed
the inference for its intrinsic worth
merely"