The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-12

that door and placed an ear against
its paneled surface. could detect no
sound from within the room. Then I
quietly and softly turned the knob and
just as quietly swung the door back
from its frame an inch or two and no
more. But it was enough to give me a
view of the interior.
What I saw there caused me to hold
my breath for moment. A bed stood
directly in front of me. On the far side
Of the bed I saw a man, fully dressed
all but his shoes. He was rather a
neutral tinted man, of rather meager
proportions. but soon lost all interest
in his mere appearance, since his activ-
tiles proved even more interesting. He
was engaged in a movement which for
a second or two I couldn't understand.
I saw him cross softly to a white-topped
dresser and from it take up bronze al
cohol lamp. could see him carefully
draw back the coverings, exposing the
end Of the heavy hair-mattress. Then
over the end of this mattress he in
verted his alcohol-lamp, watching the
! fluid intently as it ran down in a scat
tering little torrent and soaked into the
padded fabric -
At the same moment that he struck
this match by rubbing it along his
trouser-leg reached for my automatic
and continued to push the door noise
lessly open. He did not hear my ad-
vance. as I stepped into the room, for
he was STOPPING low and watching the
flame of the match-end.
"Wdit!"
said it as short and stern as I was
able to bark out that single word.
He waited all right.
Put up your hands," told him. He
at once raised his hands above his
shoulders, with the palms facing me
But instead Of watching me. he was
watching my automatic.
Where's Citrate sam?' asked him
as calmly as I could.
81 dunno any guy by that name. .
was his altogether unsatisfactory re-
monstrance.
"Oh. yes, you do" announced, step
ping a little closer to him.
you talk, or this does!" I announced
to him.
law, lady, you wouldn't do that?" he
said, in a sort of wheeling plaintive-
ness. And as I looked at him I made
a discovery His blinking eyes werenr
directed on me. as he stood there. They
were staring past me. Then, before
could turn, a long arm was suddenly
crooked about my neck, jerking my heaC
up and back. at the same moment thai
a sinewy hand struck at my right fore.
arm and brought my pistol sharply
down against my side, pinnfng 1t there
before I could even understand what &
all meant At that the man against the
wall darted forward and jerked the fire
arm from my fingers.
I was still unable to see my captor
But the moment I heard his voice
knew it was Citrate Sam.
Shut the door," he said in a SHARP
whisper. At the same moment his liber
ated right hand closed on my mouth
for instinct had told him, I suppose
that I was gathering my strength FOL
one long scream.
The smaller man in blue serge seemed
to understand just what was expected
of him, for without being told to do 81
he busted himself in tearing q hand
towel into strips and knotting it up il
a gag. I could see him hand that gas
to Citrate Sam. Then he twisted M
about, jerked my two hands behind m!
waist, and tied them there with NOR,
strands Of toweling.
What re you goin' to do wit her p
inquired the smaller man, as imperson