The Washington times., 1916-02-07
INSTALLMENT TX.
"Dodging the Law"

-HE beachcomber was shufrlins
along the sands. like some fur
lively uncouth night animal. He
was forlorn spectacle - un-
shaven, III clad. For a week now he
had dwelt in a tumblc-down shack at
the far end OF Surfton bcach-a two
room hovel, deserted long ago by the
coast guards and At only for outcasts.
There could be no doubt that the
beachcomber was an outcast. He spent
his days hidden in the shack. Only aft
er dark did he venture forth in search
OF food or flrewood. The few people
who had seen him on these night prowls
thought him mere tramp. and nick
named him Mike"
This evening Mike was securing the
shore for driftwood. He had gathered
an armful Of 1t and was crossing the
beach toward the base of the cliff.
where lay bit OF wIeckage that the
moonlight had Just revealed to him.
He had nearly reached the cliff base
when a black cloud momentarily blot
ted out the moon. making the beach
suddenly dark. Mike looked UP impa-
tiently to learn the cause Of the dark
ness.
Even as ne looked. the cloud passed
on. and the moonlight burst forth. as
Vlvidly clear as before. But. before he
could lower his eyes and continue his
search for the elusive bit OF driftwood
Mikes gaze was caught and rripped by
something that swayed and reeled &C
CentriCally on the verge Of the cliff,
far above him
lie looked more closely. There. sill
hrsSw 40 -
midnight sky. he could make out two
close-locked bodies. fighting for very life
on the cliff edge-battlinG as wild beasts
battle so maddened by the blood lust
as TO be Needless of their peril mis-.
step on that perilous verge must send
one or both OF the combatants crushing
over the brink.
Mike stared upward. spellbound.
Then he shouted. The night wind car,
ried away his cry of warning. Gal
aside his carefully boarded armful OF
wood and ran to the base OF the cliff
The lower part of the Cliff was
bowlder strewn and honeycombed with
caNerns and holes Above these was a
tortuous path up along the sheer edge
OF the precipice-a path that light and
active man might possibly climb.
Forgetful Of his own safety. Mike be-
gan to swarm up this steep trail. to-
ward the sumit No longer could he see
crest he could hear their hoarse breath
ing. the stamping and scuffiing Of theil
feet. the hailstorm Of pebbles that the,
dislodRed and sent rattling down the
side OF the cliff
Max Lamar was yielding. inch By inch.
to the fearful pressure of his fee With
every ounce of his 240 pounds. and with
every atom of his mighty strength.
Smiling Sam Eagan was striving 10
drag Lamar to the cliff brink ana hurl
Max realized his enemy's intent. and
fought like a wildcat to overcome the
terrible handicap of weight lie
writhed and struggled in vain to stay
nearer to the verge his antagonist
tuRged him All wrestling tricks were
futile against the lowbuilt and com
pact mountain OF muscular weight.
Other tactics were necessary-and must
be put to use. right quickly II Lamar
were to escape with his life.
The crime specialist wrenchod one
ann free and struck. His left fist bat
tered thuddingly against the sweat
ing flesh OF EaEan's upturned face.
skill OF trained boxer. But his
arm was too cramped and the distance
too short for him TO deliver them with
anything like full force.
Eagan shifted his hold. so as to pinion
the fiercely driven left arm. and twisted
-
shower OF blows.
The maneuver enabled Max to tear
free his right arm. Bracing himself. he
threw every atom OF his weight and
has waning strength into a short-arT
uppercut. HIS fst caught Sam at the
point OF the jaw.
Eagan's mighty arms relaxed their
hold under the impact Of the blow His
head jerked back. A culver ran through
his mountainous BODY.
before he could brace himself Lama
struck again. Eagan reeled backward
dizzy. and all but helpless. With boxer 5
intuition, Max knew third blow woulC
the SEht me eracsS his tdet to de-
inches behind the left
The right foot did not touch ground
Instead, 1t swung out into space Fo
Lamar was on the very edge Of thu
preCipiCe. Understanding his peril, h
flung himself forward.
The movement caused Cave-in Of tn
crumblng verge. beneath his right foot
He threw out his arms to save himself
But 1t was too late to recover his bal
ance. Over the edge his body crashed
Over. the edge and out Of sight-hi
hands clawing vainly at the precipic
side for some obstacle TO break or checl
his fall.
sam. his brain clearing from the ia
Of the two jaw-blows, lurched forwar,
to peer down at his vanished foe. Bu
at the first uncertain step. he paused
/ over the side OF the cliff some tel
feet beyond. appeared the head an,
shoulders Of a man. moment later th
lean body Of Mike scrambled to its fee
on the summit
Painting and exhausted from his stee
climb. the beachcomber moved forwar
| uncertainty. Sam. seeing him approac
| fancied the whole man hunt was upoI
| him. and that a dozen or more pur
ssuers miEht be at hand. lie snarle
smash Of his bcefv Ast he knocked tn
! painting beachcomber half senseles
| 20 the ground: then made off at to
speed along the summit of the blum
running with awkward swlftness 10
ward the nearest gap in the rocks
never once looking back nor slacken
ing his fight until he had rounded