The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1918-05-23
FIVE FRIDAYS 1tgHa 1 e
- Tale
By FRANK r. ADAMS
Copyright. Frank A. Munsey Coz


him, but he could not by any possible
chance have been prepared for a wide
awake, unblinking stranger staring at
him six feet away. For an instant,
only an instant, | saw a flicker OF fear
in his eyes then, disregarding me, he
held the match to a cigar stub already
between his teeth and drew a long,
deep pun.
When we were once more in dark
ness, ave for the tip of his cigar, he
said pleasantly, Good evening"
I waited. l knew that the supersti-
dous savage man way down In his
heart was telling him that there would
not be any answer
At last j said with equal pleasant
ness, Good evening"
He sighed with relief.
ais this Green's cottage7" he IN
| Qulred.
"No," / replied; "this Is merely a
shelter overlooking an especially fine
view OF the lake. You will enjoy II In
the morning"
"Ohi Unfortunately / shall not be
here. You, / presume, are taking care
Of things for Mr.. Green"
"Why, yes" I returned, perfectly
willing that he should take me for a
night Waterman until I discovered
what he wanted and how he got there.
Il was going to Mr.. Green's cottage,
but since | have met you it will save
me the trouble"
Il imagine it win," / answered
grimly.
Now wait a minute" he retorted.
Don't you jump at conclusions. l
haven't much time or / could explain
1t all perfectly. I'm not a thief. I'm
a newspaper man on the trail Of a big
story, and there are a few questions l
want to ask and a couple Of photo
graphs l want to borrow. 1t looks fun
ny for me to be prowling around at
this time Of night, but there's an old
crouch over at Green's who wouldn't
answer my questions owe the tele-
phone, so l had to get a boat to bring
me over"
"Umph!' I pretended to weigh his
case judicially. $50 you were going to
break into Mr.. Green's cottage to ask
a few questions? Well. 1 guess / can
answer any questions you want to ask
until the sheriff takes you in charge"
Honest to goodness, man." the re-
porter exclaimed, you take yourself
seriously, don't you? II you help me
I'm willing to cough up a couple OF
dollars In real money, which Is more
than my editor win be apt to stand for
In my expense account, but II you don't
III find ont anyway, because it's a way
/ have, and youn probably be dis
charged for not catching me-"
But II seems to me that I have
caught you," i interposed mildly.
Hardly" he retorteC. From the
glance l got at your figure when / lit
the match 1 should Judge that you
could run a hundred yards In ten fat
minutes, that is--while / am some
sprinter, as you win have TO admit IL
you watch me during the pext few
seconds. I am off,"
But he wasn't. While he was talking
had taken the precaution of moving
around between him and the door, SO
that when he started to leave / tripped
him neatly and sat on his chest. This
Is a very effective type of jiujitsu for
9 heavy set mar to employ.
However, / couldn't sit on him all
night. For one thing / wanted to
sleep. Finally an ingenious scheme
solved my difficulty. / removed bis
coat without unbuttoning 1t, which is
dsne by grasping firmly the two tails
In the back, one In each hand, and pull
ing sidewiseE Treated in this fashion,
even the most extensively made gar
ment will separate along the back seam
and may then be taken OF from the
front. After I had the coat In my pos
session / ore 1t into strips, which I
tied together and made a rope with
which I bound his ankles and wrists.
When / had him all done I lit q match
to make sure it was o good job.
sYoun be sorry for this" he growl-
ed. MRS. Green has been abducted to
Huntingdon's island and murdered by
lake pirates. Won't you let me 60? I
win save her. Remember, IL you don't
I know what you look like and III put
you In jail for assault"
at isn't customary" I commented,
.for men who break into ether peoples
houses to have any n put in jail. So
long"
wont ont