Las Vegas optic., 1914-08-20


self beside the Frenchman, feeling, no
doubt, that 1t was desirable to fight
with rather than against, this power
full person.
"Open the window!" yelled Hill
ceaselessly. Pedro bent all his strength
to another effort. and at the same mo.
ment there came to his ears the rap
ping of the lone policeman's club upon
the pavement, a signal that was not
wholly without effect upon the entire
crowd. Again the heavy iron bar OF
the shutter lifted an inch or two, and
again it slipped back into its socket.
Then some one struck him upon the
shoulder and turning to defend him.
self, he looked up into the fat dripping
face of Mr.. Lovejoy.
God bless mel" puffed that worthy,
that was a near thingl Thought you
was the enemyi" Pedro managed to
gasp:
"The shutter.barl Help mel"
In the twinkling of an eye the heavy
iron lath had been extracted and was
being brandished over the lunch-wag-
oner's head, deadly weapon that
swept space clear about the window,
which now burst open to emit the dis
heveled furious figure of Samuel Hill,
who was armed with an improvised
cudgel, evidently the leg Of table
taken from the furnishings Of his
prison.
United we etand" he shouted,
springing into the fight with relish.
Then came a cry that was echoed'on
all sides.
"The reserves, the reserves, the po-
lice!" and the crowd began to scatter
Almost as magically as they had
been surrounded, they were left alone,
but now, to be so left was fraught with
almost as many dangers as had beset
them a moment sooner; for that the
police should not lay hands upon them
was the paramount thought In the
minds of all. Hill was the first to act.
"This way!" he called, darting off
toward an ill-lighted, ill-paved street,
fianked only by poster-covered fences.
BY great good luck the rescue party
managed to escape pursuit, and In less
than half an hour they were seated
(somewhat weary. but except for a
few bruises none the worse for their
experience) in the light and warmth
Of Lovejoy's wagon, while they dis
4 cussed their adventure over hot coffee
b and the inevitable doughnuts. Outside,
the beginning of new snowstorm was
filling the air with white petals.
And why, in the name of the gra
IS cious Madonna, were you locked up?'
r inquired Pedro. Il cannot understand
$ it,"
: There is some mysterious Illegal
business afoot among that crowd" said
Hill thoughtfully. "They have got that
| boat chock full of ammunition and
arms, and all under cover Of being
pianos, and such stuff. It's against the
law, you know. They sail the day aft
er tomorrow, at dawn, and as I had ac-
cidentsily stumbled upon their tricks,
they decided to keep me safe until
lnCl 6Ot away VIC AO 0OuUl tAlCJ
would have let me go after that. with
out any fuss, but it was beastly un-
pleasant being locked up that way"
"You must give the information to
the authorities" said Pedro.
Sam seemed to be in some doubt
about this. but at last he decided that
an explanation was due to these good
friends who had risked so much for
him.
"You see." he began, "there is some
body-that is to say, somebody's near
relation-mixed up in this, and I
well, damn it all | can't very well
give him away!"
Instantly a thousand conjectures
sprang to Pedro's mind.
"Is it's it Iris father?" he said
hesitatingly.
Hill stared at him in amazement, a
doughnut arrested halfway to hi
mouth.
"Great scottl How did you know?'
he exclaimed.
"Because-well. I'll tell you later
But the reason Is that which made IN
come and look for you," he answered
you'll excuse u.s." he added to Love
joy, but it's a private affair, about q
lady"
Il will indeed" responded the fat
man, "ah! ladies, ladies!"
I'VE must talk this over at once!'
exclaimed Hill, glancing at the clock
which showed that the hour was al
most a. m. Come, let US go!"
The three arose, and with many ex-
pressions of gratitude to their host,
took their departure, and were soon
settled upon the dingy benches of the
north-bound ferry. They were almost
the only passengers on board, and
lulled by the warmth of the cabin,
Beau-Jean fell asleep, using Mr.. Jones
for pillow, and the bear, also glad OF
the rest, followed suit. Here, then, was
an excellent opportunity for talk, and
the other two Immediately proceeded
to take advantage of it.
podr0 en0ka first and raInfod fho