The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-03-19

man making Tor the LADDER, ana Ee
paused at the sight of that eerie figure.
The hesitation was fatal to his pur-
pose. Dorr darted across the roof and
grasped for him. With a swift turn
the thief leaped over skylight and
commanced to run hither and thither,
trying to evade John, who was not to
be put off now that he had full sight
of his quarry.
Ruth watched the chase with hands
tensely, clasped over her bosom. She
could not stir from her position in the
full moonlight, near the edge of the
roof, nor did she move when Dorr fin
ally caught his man and tripped him. <
They fell together on the roof and
rolled over and over. each trying to
balk the other of good hold. The
fighting was furious, for Pell, still un-
der the spell of drugs, was possessed
Of tremendous strength which even
DORIS hard muscles could not over
come.
Suddenly Ruth heard familiar
voice behind her saying, ''Tll be dad
blamed If it amt fight!'' She did not
turn. Her eyes were fixed on the two
writhing men,
Suddenly Pell started to roll over to-
ward the edge Of the roof, dragging
John after him. This new danger ap-
palled the girl. She watched with fas-
cinated eyes.
John Dorr was we'll out of breath by
this time and knew his man. 1t was
desperate struggle, for the thief was
fighting for his freedom and possibly
his life. So Dorr settled down to hold
him until his wild strength ebbed and
he could handle him.
Henry Pell. on the other hand, knew
precisely his plight and saw with ex-
actness what would happen to him un-
less he escaped the huge arms that
tied him down. Like all men Of his
class. he was averse to carrying weap-
ons. Tonight he cursed himself for be-
ing unarmed. One shot, the fire escape
and away! That being impossible, he
planned another mode Of getting away
In pursuance Of it, he gradually work
ed himself nearer and nearer to the
escape ladder. If he could once get
his hands on those iron rails and swing
himself over, his assailant must in
evltably either let go or drop over
Pell knew the steel strength of his
own arms, practiced for years in just
such tricks.
But the presence Of second man
right in front Of the ladder, as he
perceived through his blurred eyes,
rendered that hope out of the ques-
ton. In desperate fury he kicked
Dorr violently. tore one arm loose and
drove his bony fist like bullet into
Johns throat.
This forced Dorr for the moment to
let him go. Pell rushed swiftly toward
the ladder. He was halted by the
sight of a perfectly level gun held in
the hand Of a man who evidently knew
how to use it. He darted back, and
John caught him again, this time with
a we'll directed blow that felled him.
A second later the thief '<s.s helpless
lying almost at the very edge of the
roof. He was trapped and he knew it.
There was but one thing to do, get
rid Of the evidence that he had been
thieving. With a firt Of his elbow, he
managed to send the bundle Of papers
which had fallen out Of his pocket
over the coping and into the air. Then
he choked up to Dorr.
care you mad?"
"Mad?" painted Dorr, letting his hold
relax. At this moment Ruth came out
of her stupor and ran up to them, fol-
lowed up by an old man, who had also