Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-06-23

SPECIALISTS right wrist with both his
own huge hands, and exerting all his
brute strength and weight, twisted Max S
hand outward and upward.
No human power could withstand that
pressure so suddenly and skillfully ex-
erted. The pistol leaped from Lamar s
opened fingers and fell to the floor.
Mrs. Travis, at first sound of the
battle, had come running up the stairs
from the library, in terror. At the sec
ond floor landing she saw the two COM
batants Keeling to and fro in a death
erdpple. while Mary and June looked on
in fascinated horror.
without an instants delay Mrs.
Travis oarted into the nearest room,
snatched up a telephone and summoned
police headquarters.
1t took her some moments to ge. the
connection, because police headquarters
central" was just then listening to a
patrolman's thrilling account of the way
Attorney Charles Gordon had come to
the chief of police, a little while be-
core, and gwen himself up to Justice
laughing as he did so.
But presently Ms. Travis was switch
ed from headquarters to the precinct
station phone. And in less than a min
ute two policemen were on their way to
the Travis house.
Meantime, the fight in the hall had
reached a new and more vital stage-a
skirmish for possession of the fallen pis-
tol. Neither man dared loose his grip
on the other Yet each Unanswered des-
perately to get hold of the weapon that
lay at their feet.
1t was Sam Eas who at last seized
the pistol Despite his enemys efforts
he gradually worked its muzzle toward
Lamar's writhing body.
The muzzle at last touched Max's side.
Sans finger frightened on the trigger.
in the same moment the pistol spun out
oil his hand, exploding harmlessly, the
heavy caliber bullet burying itself in the
woodwork of the wainscoting.
June had seen the newest peril of
the man she loved. and with her riding
crop had struck his would-be murderer
heavily across the knuckles.
Sam whirled about to face her. AS
he did so Lamar snached up a heavy
vase from a pedestal and brought it
down with all his remaining force upon
Eagans head.
Smiling Sam dropped to the floor
| like a stricken bull, lying there, stunned
and helpless amid the wreckage of the
smashed vase and of the hallway fur
nishings.
Max bent over him and snapped a
pair of handouts on the senseless man S
thick wrists. Then, weak and dizzy and
painting, Lamar rose again to his feet
swaying as he tried to stand upright.
He must have broken in here last
night" he gasped. Miss Travis, owe
| you my life. r.
Your hand is cut!' cried June. See
it's bleeding! Let me bind 1t up fol-
| you"
The tramp of feet sounded on the
| stairs below them. The two policemen
escorted by the chattering and shudder-
| ing Yama, assembled to the upper hall
| way. At a word from Lamar they pick
ed up the UNCONSCIOUS Eagan and lugged
| him away between them.
Max, still Keeling with exhaustion
turned abruptly to June.
Miss Travis" he said. II must ask
| you one or two questions / would cut
| off my right arm sooner than ask them
But I must. Everything depends or
| your answers"
June forced smile to her ashen lips
She knew the moment had come. The
moment of reckoning, which she SO long
| had dreaded.