Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-12-24

oEOOh0 xldu 1OuIlO q tAl4l OOAIu pdHLA.
ton, punctured by q narrow doorway,
which gave otherwise unobstructed
entrance to q regr ROOM. This room,
lighted by a single small window OF
patched and dust-coated panes, vas
so dark that for a moment. he was
unable to distinguish a., single object
within it.
VIGOROUSLY anxious to lose no time.
however, and utterly regardless OF
lurking danger, he CROPPED forward
with dutstretched hands. his ears alert
for the slightest sound. And as he
moved. his eyes quickly accuston,ing
themselves to the dusk, objects took
shape about him.
But they were inanimate objects,
all of them. II the men he sought
gone farther, for the ROOM smaller
even than that which he had just left,
contained nothing save a low cot bed,
strewn with q motley assortment Of
~disarranged coverings ragged gray
blanket and some old coats-and too
low to afford a hiding place beneath
it; a small. rusty cook stove; table,
on: which were some unwashed dish
es; a hanging cupboard and a single
chair.
At the far corner, though. to the
right was another door, and: as Moore
entered Brooke's hand was upon the
knob. But" this door wal last. More
over. it was stout. made OF, heavy
planking and SO firmly ser as to be
unshakable.
For a moment Brooke's hopes fell.
Already valuable time had been lost,
and now he had come upon what
seemed an impossible barrier. The
door doubtless led to stairs. which in
turn led to the upper part Of the
and to another door opening
on the street. Possibly, aye, prob
ably. the thieves were already 8 block
or nor away. He had madssa mis-
take in. not having Moore watch the
house front. {. 4 It
He looked about for something to
use as a battering ram on the door.
His weight and Moore's combined
would not be sufficient, he knew, TO
feaze it. The chair would break to
kindling against it. Then he saw
Moore handling the little cook stove.
There was no fire in it. and If hurled
with strength Ut might rend the
planking. Brooke leaned down de-
terminedly to make the effort. Moore
it fell, Gathering.
But at that juncture the sound Of a
key turning the doors lock- and the
back, arrested them both. Stimuli
taneously the voice Of the old German
,cobbler rose shrill behind them.
"Ach. mein Colt! Vat for you
want here?" &,
It seemed like a clearly devised
ruseko distract their attention for an
instant from the dOor-a cue, posi-
bly,, to the person on the other side.
II so, 1t failed, for. when the door
!, opened quickly, disclosing ssthepsaen-
ornsous bulk Of the red-beardedtgiant
Of the hanson, they sprang forward
as n man. vehitablys hurting them
selves upon him and bearing back
with their catapultian onslaught..
OF q pistol rang out sharply. 1nS the
aim light OF the room they had not
seen that he was armed Neither
Brooke nor Moore had any weapon,
save their fists hut they used theses:to
good purpose. Savage blows faiusd
on the big fellows face and jaw as he
sprAWled backward. with wildly
}clutchjng arms, In the sssnArfnw NIspAE-
sageway; and his head conndng nsAffari
contact with the sharp edge of a
stair, a. he went down, conspleted his
undoing. sS AT
/ He lay stunned. bruised and bleed
ing. while his assailants., scrambItng
to their feet,aand quite unharmed by
the random revolver shot. plunged
over his inert body andatup. the mar
row. fitkht Of stairs TO the floor 8above.
The gloom Of the basement was
here succeeded by Cimmsften dark
s'ness. and Brooke pausAds with his
hand ON the rtckSty baniSter rail, In
Of 5thrae seconds the hard breathing
Of Moore, who had perforcs halted
behind him. was his only reward.
Then, straight before him. possibly
thirty feet away through tho pitch
black, hs heard q shutting footstep
ION. bare boards
He had stancieds1At Arst, that the