The Dermott news., 1916-07-20

| GILL; Soluo teH leeI beyond, appeared the head and shoulders of man. A moment later the lean body of Mike l scrambled to it's feet on the sum- nit
 Painting and exhausted from his steep climb, the beach comber moved 1 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 panting beach comber half senseless to the ground: then made off at top speed along the sum- init of the bluT.
 AS Mike blinked uncertainty about him. he heard untitled cry that | seemed to come from the ground be- | heath his feet. He jumped to one ! side, in superstitious dread.
 'Who's-whos there?" he num- bled.
 Six feet below him, and hanging over a sheer three-hundred foot drop, clung a mana man who had broken his fall by seizing an outcropping 1ut 1 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 it. ropewise, and tied one end firmly around his thin waist. He wound both | his spindling legs around an upcrop- 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 i loose from his impromptu anchorage. But he set his teeth and hauled up- ward
 After what seemed century of agonized effort, Max rolled over the edge on to the crisp grass of the sum init. There. side by side. be and his rescuer lay. for space-panting. Max was in horrible condition. His evening clothes were torn to ribbons. i Ills face was bloodsmeared and bruised. His palms were raw and bleeding.
 Where shall take you?" asked the beach comber.
 TO the Surfton hotel. please" an 1 swered Max, If you can"
 Slowly, Lamar leaning heavily on his new-found friend. they set of to- ward the hotel Ton minutes later they were in Nax's own room, and Mike was easing the injured man care fully down into chair. As he did so. 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 tho room.
 Wait" panted Lamar. Il cant let you go like this. old man. You've done me a mighty big service-bigger than can ever repay. What can l do for you in return"
 Nothing at all. MT. Lamar" was the beach comber', reply. I'm glad to have been of service to you.
 You know IVY name." calculated Lamar.
 Il have seen you several times" evaded the other. If you won't let me try to repay you nov" urged Larmar. "at least let me be of use to you if ever you need help. Here" Shaklly. he drew out one of his cards. from his torn vest pocket, nd handed 1t to Mike. The latter took the card. pocketed 1t and-uneasy un- der the increasing curiosity in Maxs gaze-shufiled hurriedly from the room.
 Lamar stared after him: bewilder ment momentarily making him forget his pain and fatigue.
 q know I've seen him before" he | murmured aloud. But where and when? It wasn't with that tallow white face and hunted look and two weeks stubble of beard. l know that. But-but-who is he?"
  The morning sun was blazing on the waves and turning Surfton beach into a vista of glittering silver.
 From halfhidden cave-mouth near the base of the bluTs peered forth puffy and bruised face
 Smiling sam" Eagan had blundercd upon this cave in the course of his flight. after his battle with Lamar.
 He looked up and down the sleam. ing beach. wondering if he might dare venture forth to appeaso his goading hunger. but. even as he took step forward, he halted and shrank back again.
 Along the shore turlong distant, two men were strolling. and to Sam's keen eyes their faces were clearly wis ible.
 "Jacobsi" 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
 IL. n.