Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-30

'"'"H"' ne heard ana was glad to hear.
The girl stopped down and caught her
by the shoulder
But Miriam" she expostulated, Eve
must take no chances--we ought to wake
him"
nliriam looked up at the girl helplessly.
You must not stop Miriam" insisted
surrey we must wake him"
Al mat instant, as they stood clustered
apout the sleeping thing, the bell once more
broke out In feeble clamor They clung 70
each other in abject fear.
me belly choruscd the women, and
stood frozen, silent They heard Stevens
toiiint up the stairs: waited; watched the
door finally they saw him enter. Neither
of the women spoke. but gazed nj him
queston.ngly
stevens met their gaze with frightened
eyes. AT last he found his voice.
~, It's the prosecutors men again. Madam
IheyNe come TO-"
stevens interrupted Shirley, surely
you didn't tell them that"
Not one word, Miss Bloodgood. But thew
SAID they saw him"
Shirley groaned and pointed to the sofa !:
Mrs. Chaloner rose to her feet and stood
beiore 1t as II to hide the man upon It.
You left them outside. Stevens?" Miriam
was calm and apparently in full control of
herself now
one Of them--the other forced his way
III ana sent after the prosecutor"
lhere was tap at the door, and the
maui quNerlng with fear. excitement and
Indignation, entered. bursting forth with:
Iheres man coming upstairs, Madam
but stopped him. lie said he'd wait out
there on the landing to see you-said he
knew Mr.. Challoner was in the house and
he was going to arrest him."
Challoner continued to sleep noisily.
''Oh, dear, there's nothing to be done
l suppose, but to let the man in" Mrs
Challoner was speaking to Shirley now
ana then without waiting for a reply she
ordered Foster to show the man up. add
ing Il hope he'll wait until Laurie wakes "
Instantly Miriam crossed to the sofa and
once more rested her soft. warm face on his,
hoping that he could feel the love that she
bore for him, then she shook him somewhat
roughly.
Laurie. dear you must wake up" And
then like a flash the thought of resstan nee
crossed her mind, She sprang up with a
cry, rushed past Shirley, past Steyens
reached the door, closed It, fumbled for an
instant and finding the key locked it tight
mo, no." she muttered. they shan't take
him won't let them-he belongs to me !"
In frenzy she piled up the light chairs
and tables and pushed them against the
door to form barricade, crying the while
TO Stevens: Help me, quick We've got
to keep them out We must not let them
in, must not ="
Shirley went over TO her and caught her
IN her arms, whispering while she affec
tionately rested her head on Miriams
shoulders
Don't, dear. don't! We can't help IL,
don't you see? There's no other way out of
1t but to let the men come in"
or course can't helm oftar 4,
moment Miriam said resignedy, and pro-
ceeded to pull the chairs and tables away
that she had so vigorously piled up. Yes,
yes let them in," and YEARLY fell into a
chair.
Stevens unlocked the door, and MIxIev
after.
e There's no help for 1t, ma'am" they
spoke as one man.
At the sight Of them Miriam rushed back
to her husband and shook him slightly.
speaking his name softly. Then she turned
plaintively to the men:
"If you would only let him sleep-iust n
little while longer" she said falteringly.
"You must leave him to us, ma'am,"
spoke up Mixley: and pointing to the far
corner Of the room, added: "Will you take
that chair there. please? Don't be afraid,
ladies'" he went on glancing at Shirley
1--WE won't hurt the gentlemen, see il we
do"
And suddenly, together. the men bodily
lifted Challoner from the sofa and as sud
denly dropped him back again.
At this use of physical force Miriam COW
cred her face with her hands and cried:
Don't do that-please don't ."
They desisted, but for quite another rea.
son.
There's n hump here that we'd best at
tend to-" said Mixley to the other detective,
meaningly running his hand over the out.
line of Chaloner's clothing. "He may not
be so sound asleep as he seems to he"
At this juncture Shirley motioned to Stew
ems to Leave the room the next instant re.
vealed "A revolver which they took from
Chaloner's hip pocket.
"Is the thing loaded?" queried McGrath
Together they examined 1t; then stimuli
taneously they glanced in the direction Of
the women.
"Maam-ladies. said Mixley, crossing
the room, 'we're fair people. and Prose-
cutor Murgatroyd is fair. You seen us take
this here hrearm from Mr.. Challoner just
now, didn't your"
Miriam and Shirley nodded in acknowl-
edgment. Challoner dropped back into his
former position and continued to snore
Mixley came closer to them and requested
that they take a good look at II.
Don't give 1t to me-" cried Shirley, elud.
ing the outstretched hand and its oontents.
"Give 1t to me-" said Miriam. dnhesitat-
ingly.
McGrath crowded up.
"You see that there's five chambers load.
ed. don't you, Mrs Challoner?"
Mrs. Challoner turned the revolver upside
down and looked at 1t helplessly
Five chambers loaded" she asked inno-
Gently, unsuspectingly
Here" broke in Mixley. '1et me show
you" And he counted slowly: "One. two,
three. four fve-all full. seer"
"Yes, five chambers" Mrs. Challoner
agreed.
There was a pause In which Mixley look.
ed meaningly at McGrath then he said:
"And one chamber empty?"
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