Charlevoix county herald., 1916-11-17

luo utdu anu VI a man. n
moment later the lean body of Mike
scrambled to it's feet on the sum-
NIT.
Painting and exhausted from his
steep climb, the beach comber moved
forward uncertainty Sam. seeing him
approach, fancied the whole man hunt
was upon him, and that a dozen or
more pursuers might be at hand He
snarled like a wild beast cornered.
With one smash of his beefy fist he
knocked the painting beach comber
half senseless to the ground; then
made off at top speed along the sum-
NIT of the bluff.
AS Mike Dlinked uncertainty about
him, he heard a muffied cry that
seemed to come from the ground be-
meath his feet. He jumped to one
side, in superstitious dread.
"Who's-who's there?' he mum
bied.
Six feet below him, and hanging
ever a sheer three hundred foot drop,
chung a mana man who had broken
his fall by selling an outcropping jut
of stone.
To the stone the unfortunate Lamar
was clinging with both hands.
Mike drew back from the edge,
yanked off his ragged coat, twisted 1t,
ropewise, and tied one end firmly
around his thin waist He wound both
his spindling legs around an upcrcr.
ping rock near the edge and once more
leaned over.
The collar of the coat brushed
against Lamar's face. Max seized 1t.
The weight nearly tore the tramp
loose from his impromptu anchorage.
But he set his teeth and hauled up
ward
After what seemed a century OF
agonized effort, Max rolled over the
edge on to the crisp grass Of the sum-
NIT. There, side by side, he and his
rescuer lay, for a space-panting.
Max was in horrible condition. His
evening clothes were torn to ribbons.
His face was bloodsmeared and
bruised. His palms were raw and
bleeding.
Where shall take your" asked the
beach comber.
ITO the Surfton hotel. please" an
swered Max, If you can"
Slowly, Lamar leaning heavily on
his new-found friend, they set off to-
ward the hotel. Ten minutes later,
they were in Max's own room; and
Mike was easing the injured man care
,,lI int ahoi Aa he
their eyes met full in the glare of the
electric light above them.
The beach comber started violently;
his pallid face turned battleship color.
| He turned and made as though to
leave the room.
Watt" painted Lamar Il can't let
| you go like this, old man. You've done
me mighty big service-bigger than
l can ever repay. What can | do for
you in return?"
Nothing at all, Mr.. Lamar" was
the beach comber's reply. I'm glad
| to have been of service to YOU"
You know my name!" calculated
Lamar
II have seen you several times"
evaded the other.
"If you won't let me try to repay
you now" urged Larmar, at least
let me be of use to you IL ever you
need help. Here"
| Shakily, he drew out one Of his
cards, from his torn vest pocket,
scrawled word or two on 1t and
handed 1t to Mike. The latter took
the card, pocketed 1t and-uneasy un-
der the increasing curiosity in Max's
gaze-shuffied hurriedly from the
room.
| Lamar stared after him; bewilder-
ment momentarily making him forget
his pain and fatigue.
81 know I've seen him BEFORE" he
murmured aloud. But where and
when? 1t wasn't with that tallow
white face and hunted look ana two
weeks stubble> of beard. know that.
But-but-who is he?"
|
The morning sun was blazing on
the waves and turning Surfton beach
into vista of glittering silver.
From half-hidden cave-mouth
near the base of the bluffs peered
forth a puffy and bruised face
Smiling Sam" Eagan had blundered
upon this cave in the course Of his
flight, after his battle with Lamar.
He looked up and down the CLEAN.
ing beach, wondering IL he might dare
venture forth to appease his goading
hunger, but, even as he took a step
forward, he halted aud shrank back
again.
Along the shore, turlong distant,
two men were strolling. and to Sans
keen eyes their faces we're clearly Wis.
ible.
"Jacobs!" he sputtered wrathfully
And Boyle! The two fly central Office
detectives that used to work with La
mar. Gee! The police haven't wasted
much time in hitting my TRAIL
He drew back into his cave pausine
only for an instant to peer down the
beach in the opposite direction from
that whence he had seen the two de
! tectives. There, in the distance, two