, 1917-03-15
CHAPTER XVII,
The Storm Breaks.

Young Doctor Elliott, lying prone on
bis blanket OF the hewn logs of the
floor of Conrod's tavern, stirred uneas-
ly in his sleep. Outside, the artillery
pf the last thunderstorm of the autumn
Fumbled and crashed above the steady
rush of the rain. A hand fell upon the
latch and the door burst open before
the fury of the wind, Elliott woke to
find the rain driving into his face. He
WAS about to rise to close the door
when the whole room was struck out of
Darkness by the dazzling blue of sheet
lightning. 1t was gone as instantly
bs it came and the crash of thunder
which accompanied 1t drowned his cry.
In that single moment of the binding
Fash he had seen, outlined against the
bhimmering sky, framed in the rec
tangle of the door, the dreadful figure
cf a crouching Indian, knife in hand.
His limbs froze in horror. The room
WAS now as black as midnight, but his
Eyes ached with the impress of the
lightning glare ard the image hat had
peen struck into them. Still IN the
pitch darkness he could see that sick.
ening face-dark, evil. its bloodskot
fyes peering inadvertently into the
room.
lie heard the r~ain-soaked moccasins
pr the savage take two steps inward
before he could cry out again, a sec.
pnd flash of lightning illumined the
foom, and showed a second man, tall,
pale with anger, his foot on the thresh.
.pld.
With the hoarse snarl of a wild
Peast, the Indian leaped at the figure
n The doorway. They grappled. liz
NE darkness Elliott heard their quick
rfrlhIe breathing as they swayed in
struggle for life. A stool trlpped
mem and they fell, rolling against him.
again the lightning flared and he saw
tAe knife, dashed from the Indians
Aand, lying beside him. The white
nan was beneath, his face hidden by
the straining shoulders of the savage.
bllhdly Elliott seized the weapon and
SFuck with hysterical force.
The man beneath shook off the re-
aNed arms Of the hideous intruder and
fose ~unsteadily to his feet. Then he
'0H'u uipuu Ill tne
I can't see who you are, friend" he
taid, but you've certainly saved me
From a close call"
Elliott made no answer. He was
sohbing weakly, his hand still clutch
ps the blood-stalned knife. From the
PIPER room came the sound of voices
thd the tavernkeeper came hurriedly
. Town thu ammo, l,lln, l,,Afnv frAnn
PIE loft, followed by the awakened
quests. Someone struck q flint cam
PES were lighted.
Great God, how did that Injun get
here, Mr.. LarrenceT calculated
"hr"d, as the candles showed him the
puu1led form of the dying savage.
Don't ask me, Captain Conrod," re-
tTh"d the other ch~eerfully. "Your
!'"r was open when | got here and he
nnped on me when l came in; and
IL have got me If 1t had not been for
PTS man."
ANA he laid his hand gently on the
flouiler of the hysterlcal figure
fuuched on the floor.
holy r~attlesnakes |" burst from the
ftohisheG Conrod. Its Doc Elliott7"
David Laurence lifted his rescuer to
feet. Here, let's see your face,
p friend"
lne man looked up slowly.
Ned Scull! |" said Laurence In a
f"Sily whisper, and staggered back
Yard.
me man bowed his head again.
ltitlcnCe smoke like a man In a
Beam:
soul! l have found you at lastH'
! am Innocent, 1 swear It'll" cried
ul' Il never betrayed you'll"
me others looked from one to the
fnef OF the two men in amazement.
Here had they known each other be-
- by what name did Laurence call
ruultt What was their secret2 The
SNneht was tense with waiting.