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

So breathed deep and tilted upward
on my toes as I swung my mace on the
end of its wires, as David once swung
his sling. was still holding my breath
as brought that swinging steel drill
obliquely down on the tensely poised
hand with its fingers clustered about
the heavy revolver stock.
I could see the short stab OF flame,
splitting FORWARD, as the revolver went
off. 1 don't remember hearing the shot.
but do remember hearing the relieving
sound as the suddenly snitten firearn
went rafting across the polished hard
wood floor The force of that swing of
drill however, carried me around in
circle. I had intended with a second
swing to reach my enemy's body, to
strike again before he could strike back.
| But that iron-weighted mace on the
end of the wire slipped out Of my
grasp and wound as a whip-lash winds
about a buggy-shaft, completely about
Citrate Sans gaunt legs Just below the
knees.
At the same moment that he struck
blindly at me, with that benumbed
and bruised right hand of his. had the
present of mind to Jerk on the wire
which still trailed through my fngerA
] That jerk sent him over like a ninepin.
The fall must have stunned him a
| little, for I had the wire Topped and
twisted about his feet before he actually
began to struggle again. 1t wasn't until
got his hands in chancery and wired
his bony wrists tightly together. with
another dozen loops Of the insulated,
that I noticed Obden-Belpont calling
Justify for lights.
1t was Evans the footman who an
swered that call. But before that Wild
eyed and half-clad servant arrived with
two tall candlesticks in his shaking
hands I'd paved about and recovered
Citrate Sans fallen revolver with the
sawed-off barrel. Then went back to
my captive.
Obden-Belpont took one of the tall
candles and stopped over us.
THAT man." he announced with sort
Of child-like simplicity, that man ioottld
hare shot me"
"Of course he would" assented. as
the ruff1ed old butler came wheeling
into the room. Here, Benchley." I said.
as held out the revolver to him, guard
this prisoner, for there's still another Of
the same breed somewhere in this
house"
But my speech was cut short by the
advent Of Ferrie. a little crestfallen and
a little out of breath.
81 thought I had him." he announced,
but the little beggar dropped from an
upstairs window and ran for It'll"
Then we must get after him." said
! as I started for the front OF the house.
ITS no use." protested Ferris as he
: ducked out Of sight. L stopped short
and stared after him. for I'd got to the
main hallway by this time. and this
main hallway was fully lighted Then I
stared at something else. Instead OF
watching Rear Admiral Trevor Ferris's
> vanishing dressing gown I stared at
/. Winkfred Ealand. 1 stared at him as
he stood tied to the enameled iron rail
where the stairway cascaded down to
the ground-hoor. He stood in silence.
for almost half a portiere seemed to
have been cramned into his mouth as a
gag. And close beside him was his
: adoring Miss Blanchan, in a severely
: plain long sleeved night gown that made
her look like cross between a scare
crow and a Carmelite abbess. She kept
y emitting faint and periodic bleats deep
! down in her throat. for two-thirds Of
: a cashmere stocking had been wedged
t in between her large and equine teeth.
t And what made things much worse.
I noticed that she was tied there with
t strips from Wrinkles ridiculous old-rose
! dressing gown!
D Wrinkle himself was arrayed in moth
ing more than his pajamas. The attire
of both of them, in fact, struck me as
: being shockingly intimate and shock
AhSAg lHddtIudle, lHOubH OI
: them, I imagine, was giving much
thought to the matter. Seven hayward
little devils Of retaliation leaped up in
me as behld them tied there side by
t side. fixed poor Wrinkle with a cold
and challenging stare.
$50 that's the kind of a man you
are?" I deliberately said to him, with as
good an imitation OF his own manner as
I was able to manage. And could see
his writhe OF disgust as he rolled his
eyes from me to the bony lady on his
right. But had no time to explain or
even to sympathize with him. for Ferrie,
re-emergisg from the darkness, caught
me by the arm and hurried me on He
seemed to be having trouble with his
breathing.
II did IT." he announced in his strident
stage-whisper. as he stared back at the
. two prisoners. 'I sent EN- down to-
getherl Told 'em there was a burglar
, somewhere in the housed And they
. rather seemed to have bumped into him.
don't they?"
Ferrie expected. There were too many
, other things to think about
But the Jewels" I reminded him
You're sure they are safer"
He stopped and stared at me-
! afe? They're up IN my room, OF
| course" he retorted
: You're certain OF that?"
, We'll. we can very soon make sure
t he said. And off we scurried for his
; room. passing the still-wheezing Bench
ley on the way. The old butler tried to
stop us, but there was too much at
stake Just then.
followed Ferrie into his room.
: saw him cross to the bed and throw his
two big pillows aside. He stood there
a second or two without moving. Then
he turned to me-
Sood gao! he gasped. They're
gone! / put 'em under my pillow here.
never-never dreamed anyone would
think Of looking for 'em in such a place.
! Never dmeamed it,"
: begging your pardon, sir" ventured
the baggy-eyed Benchlev II i,n,nlh 80