The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-11-01

Again Louie was too quick for him.
AS Sebastian stood there the little
crook leaped forward, tearing down
the curtains, fiinging them over Se-
bastian, and winding them about his
body.
Then. in flash. while the shouts
of the pursuers still echoed through
the empty gambling rooms, Louie had
darted up the stairs. At the head OF
the flight he paused and looked back
for an instant, to see Sebastian freeing
himself. and the party of his pursuers,
headed by Blanca, appear from the
gambling rooms. He saw Sebastian
point after him.
A revolver cracked and a bullet
Clipped a piece of plaster from the
wall beside Louie's head. Then Bi-
anca's harsh voice sounded from be-
low:
sPut back that gun! Do you want
to draw the police down on us?"
They dashed upstairs. but Louie had
the start of a whole flight, and fear
lent him wings. He was on the top
story now, and ascending the ladder
which led to the scuttle in the roof.
He had reached the scuttle when his
pursuers arrived at the foot OF the
ladder.
Louie emerged into the open air.
Without stopping to replace the scuttle
he dashed across the roof. The night
air beat upon his face and gave him
courage. Below him he heard the my
riad-voiced hum of the city. Freedom
seemed assured at last.
The building was perhaps eighteen
stories in height, one of the tall and
ancient mansions of the past which
still abound in the districts between
the residential and the encroaching
shops. 1t was separated from that
adjacent by about twenty feet. This
was not too far to leap, had Louie oI-
portunity to make running start. But
as he looked back from the edge of the
roof he saw Blanca leap to the top of
the ladder.
Then LOuie's eyes fell upon a long
and narrow girder that ran from roof
to roof. It was about four inches wide,
bridge, but such bridge as tradition
says the pious Moslem must cross af-
ter death on his journey heavenward.
1t could hardly be negotiated by any
one but steeplejack. And it could
not be negotiated slowly. A man. to
cross that bridge, must cross like
somnambulist, rushing 1t, 80 to speak,
before giddiness overcame him.
Louie hesitated and glanced back.
The little group of those pursuing him
had begun to emerge. A man dashed
past Blanca and toward him. 1t was
Sebastian.
Louie dashed for the girder and be-
gan to cross, planting his feet sidewise,
like balancing acrobat.
Sebastian wavered half as long as
Louie had done. In that moment he
saw the entire situation. II he could
stop Louie from crossing. the future
was assured. II Louie crossed, he
would be q ruined outcast.
Sebastian rushed at Louie across the
girder.
Blanca and her companions stood
like statues at the sheer horror Of the
scene. Upon that frail and narrow
| pathway, oblivious Of their danger. the
two men were fighting out their quar-
rel. It was their very heedlessness Of
the danger that for few moments
lent them security. They swayed and
staggered. lost their footing and re-
covered 1t, balancing themselves in the
most marvellous way; and all the while
their hands sought each others throats,
and their bodies swung and clung and
twisted.
Sebastian had Louie by the throat,
and, forgetful Of everything but his
| need for safety. was trying to ding him
| to the street below. Louie. Of slighter
build. was struggling desperately for
life. trying to force away Sebastian's
hands. And neither Of them seemed to
know where he was fighting.
| For once Blanca was at a loss. There
was nothing that she could do except
to watch hopelessly. For 1t seemed
impossible that either of the two men
could return across that razor edge In
safety.
She did not love Sebastian. but she
respected him in a way, as far as one
criminal can respect another; and she
coveted the wealth and the position
that he could bring her.
The seconds seemed hours, and still
the furious battle ragged. Louie had
got Sebastian's hands from his throat,
and, with an expression Of the utmost
frenzy, was endeavoring to trip him
with his knee.
He jerked 1t upward spasmodically.
standing on one leg like crane; while
Sebastian. with feet planted firmly,
and q little Outspread, was rocking
backward and forward. balancing him
self by his grip upon his enemy's body
II he succeeded in throwing Louie
over he must inevitably overbalance
himself and fall likewise, even IL Louie
did not drug him with him.
A scream forced itself from Bianca'a