The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-09-01


But this time he was not quick enough
to repeat his former maneuver. Lee
blanc struck at him from behind. The
upward thrust would have penetrated
his heart had 1t struck where Leblanc
1 intended; but, by miracle of luck. 1t
passed between Hilary's arm and his
body, only just grazing a rib. The
point Of the blade caught In the lining
Of the coat and, before Leblanc could
withdraw his arm, Hilary pressed his
own left arm against his body, catch
ing Leblanc's hand there and imprison-
Ing it.
This movement swung him round,
| forcing him to release Pierre, and the
ensuing bovine rush which the outlaw
made threw them both against the en-
brasure of the second window, on the
opposite side Of the door Men were
| yelling outside, and furious hammer
ing was maintained, but none OF the
| fighters was conscious either OF the
shouts or of the blows. AS Hilary and
Leblanc fell against the window-shelf
the rotted wood broke inward. The
second lamp tottered and then crashed
down beside them, going out as the
first had done, and leaving the stable
In complete darkness. With a swift
movement Hilary managed to draw Lee
blanc's arm further through his. With
the pressure of his combined biceps
and triceps he could hold ii there In
definitely If he had only Leblanc to
contend with. But he could not use
his right hand to force Leblanc's open
and take the knife, which the joOber
was making frantic efforts TO use. He
needed his right hand for Pierre and
Leblanc managed TO twist the knife so
that its edge was against Hilary's side,
and with the sinews of his fingers he
was scraping 1t backward and for
ward, ripping open the coat lining and
inhicting succession OF scratches
and little punctures under the heart.
Hilary backed suddenly, Earring Lee
blanc's spine against the edge OF the
window shelf. Leblanc groaned and
made frantic effort to twist himself
free, hacking at Hilary's shins and
shouting TO Pierre TO finish the Job.
Pierre's forward rush had flung him
between the two. Hilary felt him
cropping in the darkness, trying to
leaning: Pierre was evidently puzzled
by the position of the two. and by the
termination OF Leblanc's shoulder
against Hilary's. Hilary sensed that
Pierre had finally satisfied himself and
had raised his right arm TO strike. He
flung away the revolver, which he still
held, reached up and seized the hand
as ii was about TO descend.
Thus holding the right wrist of each
Of his assailants he plunged forward,
bringing them to the floor. He let 60
suddenly and sprang to his feet
Pierre's knife grazed his SOLE. as LIE
blanc tried to rise Hilary caught him
Leblanc grosned and his head went
back on the floor.
That left only Pierre In action. Hill
airy withdrew step or two. He heard
the outlaw breathing heavily as he
crouched In the darkness. For the FIRST
time he began to be aware OF the
knocking at the door. II sounded nov
as IL crowbar were being applied
The yells OF the lumbermen came te
his ears; but the ebsurdity Of his posi-
ton did not dawn on him, nor the fact
that, when he had settled with Pierre
he would have to reckon with the mot
outside. He meant to deal with Pierre
as he had dealt with the others. But
In the darkness he could guide himself
only by Pierre's breathing. which
sounded now on one side OF him ant
now on the other. Further away lie
blanc was moaning.
Out of the darkness Pierre leapec
forward. The knife blow flashed pas
Hilary, who got Pierre by the arms
They began to wrestle as they had
done that day In the woods. Here
Pierre was Hilary's superior; hi,
physical strength was greater, though
he had no force In his blows; and
though Hilary had beaten him that dag
at the camp, 1t was by q strategen
which could not be repeated success
fully. Gradually the strength %
EieIIe hrnS began 10 tell. Inc LWt
painted, strsining together. but Pierre
winning. The knife arm was surely
slipping out OF Hilary's clutch. II
reached upward. But at the moment
when IL was evading him Hilary drop
ped Pierre's left hand and struck the
outlaw between the eyes. AS he did sc
he heard the breathing on the other
side Of him.
Pierre staggered, and In fash Hill
airy had both his hands upon Pierre's
right wrist, kneading the veins and
sinews till the fist opened. The knife
clattered upon the floor. Hilary
stopped and seized It
That was the precise instant when
the knife that had been dropped by
Louis Duval, welded by Simeon and
thrust upward, found its home be
meath Hilary's shoulder.
Hilary, who was still bending for.
word stumbled and rffchad upon the