Evening journal., 1915-01-16


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
evitably either let 90 or drop over.
Pell knew the steel strength Of his
own arms, practlced for years In just
such tricks
But the presence OF a second man
right in front OF the ladder. as he
perceived through his blurred eyes,
rendered that hope out Of the ques-
tion. In desperate fury he kicked
Dorr violently. tore one arm loose and
drove his bony fist like a 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 II. He darted back, and
John caught him again, this time with
well directed blow that felled him.
A second later the thief was helpless
lying almost at the very edge OF the
roof. He was trapped and he knew 1t.
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 afr. Then
he cholSed up TO Dorr.
Are you madT"
"MadT painted Dorr, letting his hold
reiRx. At this moment Ruth came out
Of her stupOr and ran up to them, fol.
lowed up by an old man, who had also
come up the fire escape Ruth cried
. out, "JohnT then Are you hurt
JohnT
Ruth" he gasped. Then his eyes
lit on the form behind her and he
, shouted, Tom Kane"
a BY this time the tumult had attract
ed attention in the hotel and halt
dozen employees and the house detec
t, tive emerged from the stairway TO de
mand an explanation.
John started to explain, loosening hi
hold on the PROSTATE thief, when tn
latter with a quick twist Of his lith'
body freed himself and darted away
DorT sped after him instantly.
The chase was q short one. JOhi
caught him near the edge OF the roof
tackled him low, and they crashes
down together. The thief put up
furious fight, managing to get on HI
feet again In spite Of his .captor's ei
forts to hold him till help came. See
= lns that he was about TO escape hin
John made one last desperate grappl'
caught him fairly and threw him heaV
lily, but not upon the roof.
Unwittingly they had got to the yer
edge of the roof in their fight. and Pc
was flung clean into the air. to fal
swiftly to the street below.
"Afy GOdg' cried the detective, run
ming up and peering over. You hav
> killed himw
1t took some time to make matter
clear; still longer for the detective t
assure himself of the truth Of John
statements.
,, Meanwhile officers from the centr1
station had arrived, called by the pc
liceman on the beat. To them ais
Dorr had to tell his story.
o "Wen, the fellow was a crook al
n right" conceded the sergeant, ''for h
had plenty Of cocaine on him and
little jimmy"
1T was an accident, my THROWN
him over the edge" John protested.
was merely trying TO prevent his e'
cape"
y Ruth was then interrogated, and az
er listening 70 her story the whole pal
ty went down to her room.
: WED better see what he got, If any
thing" said the detective sergeant.
"He may have taken other things,
\ she faltered, "but all 1 saw was tn
papers"
"Well, wen have a look-see for pc
pers," responded the detective amiably
When the officers had gone ava
Ruth turned and greeted the cook @
the Master Key" with unfeigned a
fection and delight
D tom, whatever brought you heref
Il she demanded at last.
Kane scratched his head and glance
hastily at John. Then he looked o
Ruth, so fair i'm the moonlight an
said gently: why, Ruthie, l jus
thought 1 couldn't stay away from oil
San Francisco when l knew you wa
here. So came right up"
N "And the miner"
NJ ''The miner Why. amt John tol
Il yei The boys are already wOrkin' o
that new lead. Everything is finel y
don't suppose old Tom Kane woul
have left II everything hadn't been a
" rightT"
She impulsively threw her arm
81 about his neck and hugged him.
Il "You are the best old dear that eve
was. and | have a thousand things
tell your
= "How did you get up hereI' aske