The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-07
''LanqfOrd of the Three Bars"

/ anyway, why. I'd Just spirit you
home and give the charged at
mosphere chance of clearing a
little"
Gordon looked at him steadily
moment. He knew that Lang
ford had heard-or suspected
more than he intended to tell
then.
You are an old duffer, Paul"
he said, in pretended annoyance.
You treat me like a child. Some
day I'll rebel-and-then."
Meanwhile, I'll just trot these
ladies back to the hotel" said
Langford. But you must prom
Use to keep your head inside.
We're fixtures until we have that
promise"
What lock ME up and run off
with--all the ladies! | guess not!
Why didn't we round up that
way. I'd like to know"
Paul meant for him to lie low,
then. He was also in hurry to
get the girls away. Evidently the
danger lay there. There was a
Tightening of the firm mouth and
an ominous contraction of the
pupils of the eyes.
But Paul made not movement
to go. Then he, Gordon, had not
understood his friend. Maybe
the menace was not here, but out
side. If so, he must contrive to
keep his guests interested here.
He went back to his living room
and returned, bearing two heavy
buggy robes.
You will find my bachelor
way of living very primitive" he
said, with his engaging smile. He
arranged the robes over two of
the chairs and pushed them close
upon the stove. II haven't an
easy chair in the house. Take
these, do" he urged, "and re-
move your coats"
Thank you-you are very
kind" said Louise. mo, WONT
take off my jacket" a spot of
color staining her cheek when
she thought of her gay kimono.
Involuntarily, she felt of her
throat, to make sure the muffler
had not blown awry. I'VE shall
be going soon, shan't we, Mr..
Langford? If Mr.. Gordon is in
any danger, you must stay with
him and let us go alone. 1t is
not far"
Surely" said Mary. with a big
sinking of the heart, but mean
ing what she said.
Not at ALL" said Gordon. de-
cidedly. "It's just his womanish
way of bossing me. Just wait!
But before you go, I'll make tea.
You must have gotten chilled
through"
He would keep them here a
while and then let them go
with Langford. The thought
made him feel cheap, and cow
ardly, and sneaking. Far rather
would he step out boldly and
take his chances. But IL there
was to be any shooting, 1t must
be where Louise-and Mary, too
was not.
ooh, no. that will be too much
trouble" gasped Louise, in some
alarm. and, thinking of Aunt
Helen.
Thanks, old man, we'll stay"
spoke up Langford, cheerily. "He
makes excellent tea-really. I've
tried it before"
Silently he watched his friend
in the inner room bring out a
battered tea-kettle, fill it with
steady hand and put it on the
stove in the office, coming and
going carelessly, seemingly con-
scious of nothing in the world
but the comfort of his unexpected
guests.
But tea was never served in
those bachelor rooms that night.
Who first became conscious that
the tang of smoke was gradually
filling their nostrils it was hard
to tell. 1t was Langford who dis
covered that the trouble was in
the rear. where the wind would
soon have the whole building
famed into flames.
Gordon. unlocked the door
quietly. He said nothing. But
Paul, springing in front of him,
himself threw it open. 1t was
no new dodge, this burning a
man out to shoot him. He need
not have been afraid. The alarm
had spread. The street in front
was rapidly filling. One would
hardly have dared to shoot-then
If one had meant to. He only
knew that deviltry had been in
the air for Gordon that night. He
had suspected more than he had
overheard, but 1t had been in the
air.
Gordon saw the action and I'M
derstood 1t. He never forgot 1t.
He said nothing, but gave his
| friend an illuminating smile that
Langford understood. Neither
ever spoke of 1t. neither ever for
got 1t.
Outside, they encountered the
Judge in search Of his delinquent
charges.
I'm sorry, Dick" he said.
Dead loss, my boy. This beast
ly wind Is your undoing."
I'm not worrying, judge" re-