The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-04-20

moment BrumDled 10 nlmselli ana Jnen
climbed up into the operating seat.
The others drew back
Here you, bring that light this
way" he ordered ruffly. at is
all done by the feet, and can't see the
connections"
The man thrust the lamp in through
the light framework, the CLEAN con-
centrated on the footboard, leaving
all else shrouded in darkness. | could
see Eisenbarth's face as though in a
spotlight, as he bent forward studying
the mechanism, before venturing to
turn on the power, With my knowle 'go
Of the peculiar arrangement | had to
smile at his bewlderment, yet dared
delay no longer. Mechanic though he
was-an expert possibly, employed for
this very purpose-yet he might decide
wrong, and by single movement
wreck the delicate machinery. Too
much depended on all being right for
me to risk his handling of throttle
and lever | gripped De Vigne's arm,
and we both arose to our feet.
Now" | whispered, "you take the
left, and will go the other way. Leave
the big fellow to me, but cover that
man up above. don't think there is
much fight in the other two; you
understand"
=. "0ui, Monsieur am not to fire."
"Oniy rs last resort to save our
lives. Some Of those fellows are prob
ably armed. Don't let them draw.
Brandt will make the most trouble, but
I'll take care of him"
81 do Just as you say"
Then listen; get as near as you can
without being seen; creep up under the
propeller. Attack rs soon as | cover
Brandt, and not before. Make that
fellow climb down, and, If it comes to
blows, use the butt Of your gun. Drive
then all ba"k into that corner. Don't
forget to hit first Are you ready?"
"0ui, Monsieur"
We separated and stole forward,
crouching in the black shadows, each
gripping mis- revolver with nervous
fingers. We might fail; realized that,
but only as dim possibility, for
felt grim determination which assured
me of success. The nights adventures
had left me on edge; little by little
there had grown up in my heart a
hatred for these men, and desire
for vengence. The prospect of fight
was almost joyful; / longed to strike,
and hear the crunch Of the blow,
The defense of my machine was no
longer the dominant factor; not even
the defense of the girl. The struggle
had become personal. Those fellows
had bounded me for hours, had beaten
me cruelty, and held me captive. They
had been brutes, stopping even to
murder to accomplish their end. The
same spirit had come into my own
blood, | hoped they would fight
longed for an excuse to do them phys
ical injury, to batter them, to even
kill if necessary. / experienced no
sense of fear, only the exhilaraton of
battle, yet | think my brain was never
clearer, or my judgment cooler, than
in that moment had the advantage
now, and meant to hold it. | knew
what desired to accomplish and how.
/ approached Brandt from the rear,
seeing his burly figure clearly outlined
against the light Before he even
sensed danger / had my fingers gripped
in his collar, the barrel of my revolver
between his eyes AS he whrled about,
jerked erect by my arm, he caught
sight of my face in the CLEAN, and for
an instant, stared at me dazed and
inert. Then there flashed into his
eyes malignant recognition.
"Youl Dessaudl how did you get
here?"
"We will discuss that later Not
a movement nowl Come; hands up,
and back awayl"
He did as | ordered, mechanically,