Arizona republican., 1914-08-28
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Ih0mpson's Plane Go Wrons.


II was the following day that. leaning against
the window grating Of iron, abe was aston.
'snea TO hnd It bending before her. She looked
more closely and was astonished to find that one
oar had been cut clearly through, She examined
sne remainder OF the bars. They appeared alb
soia,eiy untouched but when she pulled harshly
at them, every one gave way. For half an hour
sne did NOT realize what had happened. Then q
thrill OF Thanksgiving went throbbing through
her heart. Readymade WAS her means OF escane
Almost simultaneously with the thought
came another and more terrifying one. This was
ProDaDly not means of escape so much as a
means of entrance. Instantly her mind flashed
picture OF the silent Thompson First she was
tempted to call for help and expose the man.
Second thought advised against this No one
must Know about the rubies, no one must know
about priceless stones. But what could she do?
She was still pondering the problem that
night when still fully dressed she stood beside
the window looking out over the moon-splashed
patio. fnrtive figure detached itself from the
shadows and crept toward her STRANGELY enough
it did not frighten her to recognize the butler.
nhe had tried her strength against the man once
and knew that she could call for assistance
should he enter the ROOM
She crouched in the opposite side of tho
room, listening to the faint tinkle of snappins
IRON bars as the man detached the ends from
their sockets. His head and shoulders appeared
IN the opening Longer and longer grew his
shadow in the room, then the faintest pat as he
Breathlcssly she watched his aproacb .rber.
was nothing undecided about his movements He
was swift; he was certain; he was sure. Not q
motion, not step was wasted. His whole body
was colled like spring, ready to leap in any d.
rection, yet there no fear or iudecision about
1t. He was almost over the bed, when Lucille
sprang from her hiding place behind the door.
instantly he turned, his head darling from
side to side like that of o giant reptile his beady
eyes holding her own and striking terror into
no EnI1In f har a
it meant to stop desperate thief in the midst
OF his marauding, realized that the man she al
ways thought Of as servant was now q hunted
beast, cornered and at bay. Icy fingers cutched
at her spine, while little ants nests of nerves
tingled at the back of her neck. Thompson did
not speak. Slowly his hands opened and closed,
while grin crossed his face widened his mouth
O hideousy inhuman grin. She tried to cry out
but her lips were frozen shut. The capable
hands, the hands she recalled as always being SO
competent to handle anything were opening and
closing as he advanced upon her, with swiftness,
with certainty and with sureness, though al
ready they felt in their strong yet delicate pads,
the feel of her throat.
He had almost reached her side when he
stopped suddenly, whiring toward the window.
Lucille unconsciousy followed the direction of
his gaze. A long ARM the jacket sleeve of which
was slashed and pieced out with gold-trimmed
doe-skin was being extended into the room. Just
an arm 1t was, yet the hand that tipped it ex-
tended still further within the room by reason
of a long revolver it held. From the darkness
outside came Kissing sound. an angry snake
like sound. Then, simultaneously, with the drop
ping ct Thompson to the hoor, orange squirt
OF fire leaped into the room, the whine of a bull
let struck against her But no report.
Lucille staggered back as her defender tho
lover who had promised his assistance, leaped
lightly into the room His hand was upon her
arm his lips at her ear. Reading his thoughts,
yet hearing nothing. she moved toward the win
dow and lifted her tiny foot as though to mount
a horse. His hands cupped about it. She vaulted
to the easement and, in second, had scrambled
through. The breath OF the open, redoent with
all the perfumes Of the night assaed her nos
trils and she opened her mouth having her throat
with them.
BY her side stood the man. For q moment
he waited, then urged her forward. She was
free, free, free OF course there were pickets to
be passed, but she had made providential
escape tonight why not another
Out OF sight OF the building she paused and
looked about her How calm and peaceful and
friendly appeared the night. Or such a night
LeanCer swan the Heespont anG ..er,, beside
her, stood another Leander who would brage as
much, had already braved more than ever did
tabled hero The moon was full, rolling lazy
about atop mountain peak as though shaking
his jolly sides with laughter at this triumph Of
one he love- The stars winked merrily at her.
urging her on her way Looking back at the
building from which she had come it appeared
made of silver and all the windows were dia<
MouoS cruSteQ tnere, tne rigid leaves OF th0
bayonet trees stretched upward as though guard
Ing it. sentinellike, against intrusion from the
outside. The touch of tnd finger upon her
arm brought her from her reveries.
''E.e horses wait, my lady"
Came a swift flashing OF lights from tho
house they had left behind, q scurry of feet, tho
sound Of voices loud, shril insistent. The Mexi-
can seized her arm fercely and half dragged her
from of the court to clump of bushes where
two horses stood, saddled and bridled. In SEQ
and ~. t. ia Iln <hav Ia lcr
The clatter Of hoofs rang out upon the sill
ence. Looking back she caught glimpses of dark
figures silhouetted against the tropical vegeta-
them like living thing. The Mexican muttered
a cultural oath and urged his horse to moro
speed. Lucille bent over her horses head bent
low, for the whine OF bullets was in the air
about them.
Suddenly tho Mexican grunted loudly. His
hands shot high in the air, then the horse fairly
from under him. Upon the ground he
swayed a second then leaped against the shadow
of giant fingered cactus plant. Lucille sprang
from her saddle and sought his side.
Red, warm blood gushed from the wound In
his chest. But not more red 1t was than the
rose his Tightening fingers clasped unto bis
heart. rose from which the dew drop OF the
day before had disappeared. His eyes were glaz-
ing when she stopped and brushed her lips across
hi. forehead. shadowy smile crossed his face
as he opened his eyes once more eyes that were
soft and tender before they glazed.
"Gow he muttered. go" Then his voico
took ON the resonant tone of q scant day or less
before. 1T is the ripple of the Wishing Well,
1ady. Col Ride-to the One-yOur-heoYt-