The Carlisle independent., 1917-09-06

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 thela about his body.
 Then, in a 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 piece of plaster from the wall beside Louie's head Then Bi- anca's harsh voice sounded from be- low:
 "Put back that gun! Do you want to draw the police down on us?'
 They dashed upstairs, but Louie had the start of whole flight, and fear lelt 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 op- portunity to make a 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 long and narrow girder that ran from roof to roof. It was about four inches wide, a bridge, but such bridge as tradition says the pious Moslem must cross af- ter death on his journey heavenward.
 It 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 a somnambulist, rushing it, so 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 hign. It 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. If he could stop Louie from crossing, the future was assured. If Louie crossed, he would be a ruined outcast.
 Sebastian rushed at Louie across the girder.
 AAkhNA oA0 ACA NOAhPoiAOhS SUNNI 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. 1t was their very heedlessness of the danger that for a few moments lent them security. They swayed and staggered, lost their footing and re- covered it, balancing themselves in the most marvellous way and all the while their hands sought each others throats, and their bodies swung and chung and twisted.
 Sebastian had Louie by the throat, and, forgetful of everything but his need for safety, was trying to fling 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 loss. There was nothing that she could do except to watch hopelessly. For it 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 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.
 Ee jerked it upward spasmodically, standing on one leg like crane; while Sebastian, with feet planted firmly, and little outspread, was rocking backward and forward, balancing him. self by his grip upon his enemy's body.
 If he succeeded in throwing Louie over he must inevitably overbalance himself and fall likewise, even if Louie did Lot drag him with him.
 A scream forced itself from Bianca's throat. She ran to the edge of the roof. "Sebastian!" she cried. "Sebas- tian! Louie! Come back, both of you. onto voY, choJI corno fo no harm