The Arvada enterprise., 1920-06-17
CHAPTER ix.-cent,nusd.

CHAPTER lx.-centInusd.
-7-
Pierre reeied. and once again Hilary
ieaped and caught him under the chin.
But this time he was not quick enough
to repeat his former maneuver. Le-
blanc struck at him from behind. The
UPWARD thrust would have penetrated
he heart bad 1t struck where Leblanc
Intended: bat. BY miracle Of luck. It
passed between Hiiary's arm and his
body. only Just grasing q rib. The
point Of the blade caught In the lining
a IL coat and, before Leblanc could
WtthdraW his arm. Hilary pressed his
sWD ls1t arm against his body. catch
tng Lseaape's hand there and imprison.
lng It.
1AlD movement swung him round,
eseelas hin 10 release Pierre. and the
sassing bovine rush which the outlaw
0a6s threw tbsm both against the en-
Aeasare Of the second window, on the
opposite ~ Of the door. Men were
yollins ostylde. and Q furious hammer
ing was maintained. but none Of the
asAtsrs WAS conscious either Of the
GAouts o. q the blows. A. Hilary and
Leblanc fen against the window.sheif
TIE rotted wood broke inward. The
oecoad lamp tottered and then crashed
down beside them. going out as the
ART had done. and leaving the stable
n complete darkness. With 4 swift
0ovement Hilary managed to draw Le-
baaAes arm further through his. with
~ pressure Of his combined blcepa
an1 5sesps be could hold It there In.
dsanttsly. II he had only Leblanc to
coateod with. But he could mot use
bic right hand to force Leblanc's open
and take The knife. which the jobber
was mailing frantic efforts to use. He
seeded HE night hand for Pierre: and
Leblanc managed to twist the knife no
tAat ID edge was against Hilary's side.
and with the sinews Of his fingers he
vas scspinG II backward and for
ward. ripping open the coat lining and
inaleeiAg = succession Of scratches
asd little punctures under the heart.
Hilary backed suddenly. Earring Lee
o1ancs spine against the edge Of the
WiodoW shelf. Leblanc grOaned and
na6o Q frantic effort to twist hlmself
free. hacking At Hilnry's shins and
shouting to Pierre to finish the Job
Piesre'a forward rush had hung him
between the two. Hilary felt him
cropping 10 the darkness. trying to
gauge the position In which he was
leaning: Pierre was evidently puzzled
BY the position Of the two. and by the
termination Of Lcblanc's shoulder
against Hilary's. Hilary sensed that
Pierre had finally satisfied himself and
had raised his right arm to strike. He
dung away the revolver. which he still
he1d. reached MP and seized the hand
a. II was about TO descend.
Thus holding the right wrist Of each
II his asaailants he plunged forward.
bringing them to the floor. He let go
suddenly and sprnng to his feet.
Piene's knife Rrnzed his sole: as Le-
blanc tried TO rise Hilary caught him
haneath the chin with the other foot.
Leblanc Gronned and his head went
6aek % the floor.
That left only Pierre In action. Hi.
ary withdrew 4 step or two. He heard
ths osstlaw breathing heavily az he
ouochad 10 the darkness. For the first
Tina b. began 10 be aware Of the
knocktng at the door, II sounded now
a u q crowbar were being applied.
fha yeals 0f the iumbermen came 10
his eafs: but the nb.urdlty Of his posi-
don did not dawn on him. nor the fact
that. when he had settled with Pierre
b would have to reckon with the mob
outside. He meant to deal with Pierre
- be had dealt with the others. But
n tAs darkness he could guide himself
Only BY Picrre's breathing. which
soundsd now on one side of him and
nov on the other. Further away LIE.
blanc was moaning.
Out q the darkness Pierre leaped
forvard. The knife blow flashed past
Hilary. Who got Pierre by the arms
They bagas to wrestle ~ they had
1a1s tAat dDy In the woOtis. Here
PiaFe vas Hilary's superior: his
pAynicAl GtTength was greater. though
- I'D no force In his blows; and
though Hilary had beaten him that day
at the camp. II WAS by . strntcgerl
vA,cA could not be repeated success
fpily. Gradually the strength Of
SSssso's arms baAn to tell The twC