The Dolores star., 1920-06-11

AS Hilary could retain b,,
Pierre and keep him In this ~
was comparatively safe. m,
no more thnn about fifteen w..
which to think out his mex, nv,
was all "A question Of mn.,u,
durance. He could not hone ;,
his clutch on Picrre's throo, ,.a
hand for many seconds. nv,,.
force behind the outlaws ~
and his strong, thick-sct bodv
denly he made up his mind n
leased Pierre, flinging him b,a
with NIL his might. Plrrr. fen
Leblanc, sending him stavper,,'
two clawed ut each other and
the floor.
As Hilary released Pierre h.
sight of Louis face peerin,
Pi,rre's shoulder. The fan az a,
men left Louis Hilary's only ia.
ate opponent. Hilary hesI,a,.,
spite Of his threat, spoken 10 g.,
he hesitated to attack II man una
inferior in size and strength. p
that moment he saw Louis rIyb,
drawn back, and the CLEAN \,
knife he held. Before the ma,
thrust came he stepped back i.
the revolver from his pocke,
brought the butt crashing dom
Louis head.
That's what i promised your
shouted.
The little man, Instantly drn,
with blood from the Jagged
wound. staggered. let the knife
screamed. and fed, stumbling
side to side, with hands appraised Al,
his head. toward the door. Lou,
had enough; he had been mean, i,
the bait Of the trap, and now he
been caught In II. Blinded by +
blood that poured over his face
blundered into one of the windos
brasures. and his appraised M
brought down the lamp which (
crashing upon the wooden floor. !
fortunately went out.
Still screaming. Louis found
door and tried to push back the \
But before he could do SO Hilary
on the spot. He pushed ii back
self and. taking Louis by the sd
ders. he pushed him with all
strength into Baptiste's shanty.
The room was empty. The v
had evidently been passed about tn
would he advisable for one to N
oneself scarce In view OF wha,
going on in the stable. But n
OF men were gathered about the
nj the entrance, peering In; and
Sudden appnrition OF Louis, coz.
with blood, and Hilary behind
proved too strong for their discrei
They came running forward yellin
Hilary could have broken thrt
them and gained the safety Of
rooms. "A short distance away.
the hazard in such n cor " was
than what he had faced In the ST
But the idea never occurred 10
He was fighting mad; he had CON
ST. Bonifacc to fight. and he meal
fight his quarrel out. He turned.
lie heard Leblanc and Pierre
ming across the stable floor, All
calculations. which were subconsC
were made in fractional seconds
night. So. now. he calculated tha
pair would reach the door a hal
ond before the men in the sh
They would emerge confident, I'm
Ing him to be In flight. He vi
Louis laundering flight, which
him into the midst of the lumber
stopped them in their attack, ju
Hilury had calculated 1t would; q
same moment Leblanc's head
shoulders became visible aroun
door. Hilary. waiting for that. j
upward viciously with his right
blanc howled and fell back
knocking Pierre OF his balan
turn; and before they had rec'
from the surprise Hilary had st
back into the stable and bolte
door behind him.
He saw their wonder and the
ing fear in Lehlanc's face, covere
blood. and Pierre's infuriated .
but they came on at him again.
: lily now, crouching. their knives
/. back for the stab. A revolver.
l when loaded. is of little use aga
, knife, welded by an expert at
quarters. The men were alta
from opposite sides. too. They
: watching each movement that
) made. He estimated that they
spring after n very brief delay
hnzarded n second and, STOPPING. |
up fragment of rotten harness
had fallen to the floor beside o
the horse-boxes. He wheeled t.
Leblanc. who twisted his bod
meet him; and then, as Pierre r
In from behind, wheeled again
brought down the harness strap
his head.