Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-05
CHAPTER III
A SIpift Descent Into MeIodTdntd

ID stupefed, indeed, for the time being
I obeyed without question; and sinking
Imply into the vacant seat, with my back
to the horse. caught whlff Of alcohol
laden breath that brought to mind the
drunkard whom, with his friends, 1 HAD
encountered within the past few moments.
Sitting quietly and puzzling the matter
out best 1 might, / sensed something
OF the nature Of this predlcament wherein
/ found myself. The fellow by my side was
plainly sleeping Off the effects of a debauch;
his heavy and stertorous breathing testlhed
to that fact-he was not to be reckoned
with
It was with the man. the armed man on
the opposite seat, that had to deal; and
he was entirely an unknown quantity. What
his motive was in that strange AFFAIR
could not even conjecture. Why should
be permitted to enter the vehicle at all under
the circumstances was an enigma, Evidently
1 had stumbled upon some project Of
crmlnal-at least OF an underhand-char-
acter. having for its victim the drunkard.
Robbery offered itself as the most plaus-
ible explanation: and yet, IL that were the
mans intent, why should he detain me there
to be witness? The AFFAIR bristled with
incongruities, not the least of which was
the presence of the pair (whnt had become
of the third memberO in the coupe which
1 had vacated only temporarily.
And yet there existed most unevadabls
determination not to permit me to with
draw at this stage OF the game. When
moved restessly, feeling for the others
position with the toe OF my shoe, he under
stood the ruse, and put period to 1t with
out ceremony.
heard the sound of a swift change Of
position from the quarter where the sober
man sat masked in darkness, and guessed
that he was bending over and going through
the pockets OF the drunkard. The latter
grunted DULY, swinishly. but as IL In pain.
Here was my opportunity. ready to my
hand, dared grasp II. While the other
was thus occupied. 1 might grapple with
him. Unthinkingiy perhaps. took the
chances dared the odds-and they were
long
reached across the drunkard, and at once
my cropping fingers fastened tenaciously
about the wrist of the other. believe he
swore but gritted my teeth and frightened
my grip.
He was a man of tremendous strength
and infinite resource, however No sooner
had I touched him than he had turned on
me with a snarl and thrown me on by .
clever. upward twist of his arms. was
slammed back against the seat with a crasn
that ratified the windows of the coupe; and
instantly / kicked out with all the ill-wili
in the world-kicked with all the strength
that was In me.
landed. feeling his flesh give beneath
my boot heel and heard him groan. Some-
thing thumped upon the floor. An instant.
and we were at hand grips again. For \
time we fought madly. striving each for the
mastery, there in the pitch-black interior OF
that ramshackle cab.
was gradually shifting my hold; in the
end got one hand firmly clinched about
his throat forcing his head back I fancy
that he was then belaboring me with his
one free fist. but 1 cannot remember
distinctly.
Somehow can't say howl pulled my
self together and flung him from me. His
shoulders crashed against the door. There
was a snap, sharp and metallic, and II neW
of it's hinges. letting HIN out.
He fell heavily TO the paving, but seemed
to possess all the agility OF rubber ball.
The man actually bounced up from the
cobbles. He was on his feet in trice, and.
before I could reach the street. was Off
gone into the fog.
Meanwhile, found myself trudging with
absurd stolidity by the side of the vehicle,
which maintained a progress as deliberate
as unabated. The folly OF IL struck me
after a moment. and l jumped lightly in
again, with passing consideration for the
condition OF the drunkard.
He was as we had left him. motionless as
though drugged. But Il seemed 10 me that
his breathing had become less labored. ]
bent TO listen-and failed TO catch the least
sound OF respiration.
With a sickening fear in my heart. put
a hand to his breast II came away moist
with liquid both warm and sticky
In my horror / think 1 must have cried
out aloud. for the coupe stopped at once.
l remember pulling out a handkerchief, wip-
ing my hands and throwing II into the
street before feeling for my match safe.
With tremulous fingers I managed to strike
a light. The tiny name sputtered and dick
cred feebly; l shielded II with my hand.
bending over the recumbent figure.
When at last the light waxed strong and
clear, and / might see for myself l saw
that the man was dead, stabbed, apparently.
to the heart
on the bottom OF the carriage the light
caught the sheen of nickeled steel II was
the revolver. ! stopped and gathered Il In.
AS 1 rose. fingers closing over the rough
ened, hard rubber butt OF the weapon with
a feeling somehow comfortable, heard the
voice Of my cabman-
''Wot's hup. gOv'nOrr' he asked with dif-
fculty.
He looked me up and down. slowly
enough. as l stood-stooping. Of course
within the vehicle and he waited doggedly
for his answer.
He spoke again. thickly ss though hls
tongue had swollen.
''Wot's hupF
! started to jump from the cab. hut the
cabby's buFiy hgurs interposed The besoz-
ted fool. with drunken peryersltyi had seized
upon the glimmering Of q notion that some
thing was wrong; he was bound 10 see I
righted ere he proceeded or Let me pass
His hand caught me upon the chest hoiaia4
mo. yer done,y he sroulsd vets hupf
WY don't yer tell met" he hieeoa<hea
Continued -
M0udaU's