The evening world., 1915-11-19


classed. The clean life OF his antag-
onist found Taylor helpless In the
Others power. Yet the man fought
ON desperately. for he knew that a
long prison term awaited him should
h. be made captive now. fs4
Around and around the room the
two men struggled Taylor beat
madly at Gordon face. but the latter
sought the others throat, striking
only occasionally. and then only when
blow could be well delivered and
effective.
In the hall beyond the lion had
halted before the door TO snin and
listen. From within came the sounds
of combat and the scent of friend and
foe. The great beast opened his wide
jaws and roared out a thunderous
challenge "A challenge that sent
Washington Scott covering In terror
to the furthermost recesses Of the 1T
tie closet and brought Gordon 70 a
momentary pause Of wonder In the
battle he was waging for his life In
the guest chamber OF the Scott man
sion.
But Richard Gordon had no time 20
give then to an investigation OF tfhe
terrifying roar Just without his room.
He wondered. but he fought on. slow
ly but surely overcoming the weaken
ing Taylor.
The hon pushed against the door
with his forepaw. IL did not open.
He clawed at the panels, madly,
thunderousiy. No fraii wood could
long withstand that mighty force.
splinters were torn away. The two
men within the room heard, and one
was terrified and the other wonder
ing.
Gordon was pushing Taylor back
against a table. further and further.
when the latter. In q sudden and mo-
mentary burst OF energy, struTxied
up and fought his conqueror back a
step or two. Beneath their feet lay
. rug. rumpied and twisted 40 they
had passed back and forth across II.
Sordon's foot caught In Il as Taylor
sursed against him, and he fell heav-
NY backward. striking his head
asainst the edge OF a chair.
Taylor could scarce credit the rood
fortune that had saved him Al the
eleventh hour. Gordon lay uncon-
scious beneath him. The lion was
oattering the door to pieces Just be-
yond. Behind was an open window
leading onto the roof OF the veranda.
taylor half started to make 4 break
Tor escape from the lion whom the
object OF his mission rushed 10 his
mind.
He had risked too much TO abandon
all now when success, such a. IL was.
lay In his grasp. Hastily ne sprany
to his feet and ran to the chair where
Gordons clothes lay. As he matched
up a garment and began to run
hastily through II a panel crashsd In
beneath the lions powerful blows and
Taylor saw the cleaning. yellow eyes
G1aring mt aim through the aperture.
With a gasp OF terror the man ran
his hand inside the coat. his fingers
came In contact with . long manils
envelope. and he know that he had
won. stuning the prize Into his own
pocket he turned and scrambled
through the window to the roof of the
veranda, ran to the edge and lying
upon his stomach lowered himself
quickly until he hung by his hands.
Then he let go and dropped to q soft
landing In clump of bushes beneath.
Almost simultaneously the last OF
the door fell In beneath Ben's bAtth-
Ing. and the hon sprang into tf~
room. For Just an instant he ,owsfN
his muzzle to the face OF the pros
tratc Gordon. emitted, whined. and
then caught Taylors spoor and fol-
lowed Il through the window onto the
roof.
Gordon, but momsntariiy stunned.
sat up Just in time 10 see tho hind
quarters of the lion disappearing
through the window. Leaplng to his
feet he followed and looked out. Ho
saw the great beast approach the
spot where Taylor had dropped 20
the ground. For a moment the lion
stood there measuring the distance
1T was too great leap for 80 heavy
. beast except rs a last resort.
Turning quickly away. the animal
trotted TO tho far end Of the roof.
Below him there was low shed and
moment later the carnlvors was
Scott grounds hot upon the tran OF
the fleeing Taylor.
Gordon, convinced that the Non had
followed Taylor. though filled with
wonder not only that a savage, jungle
beast should be roaming at large In
peaceful Virginia, but an well that
the brute should have passed him by
without harmins him. ran from his
room. calling to the servants.
The old butler. hearing hts vvsce,
answered him In trembling ton&
from his hiding place. III
Mistah Go'don!" he cried. 'whsxe
10 hof Am he wentf"
Gordon paused. The voice oamo
apparently from close beside him.
Where are your" he asked.
"Ah's heah-in desc hsah oSofes
hamper. Abs stuck fast. II ne am
s vent please come an hep me Outsn
Hes won't. all right" replied Cor
don. opening the door OF the CLOSET, 10
md that Washington had broken
through the bottom and was SO tightly
wedged that II required the comb ined
enorts or them both to liberate him.