Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-10-19
CHAPTER xiv.
The Death of a Murderer.

Wine. outstretched on the floor at
my very feet. stared up at me, so
startled by my sudden appearance
as to be speechless. Waldron. OBJ
liviouS of all else but the money, now
almost in his possession, was upon
his knees before a bookcase, dragging
out the heavy volumes from the low
er shelf, dumping them on the floor.
From behind these he had already
drawn forth into view a black leather
valise. when Wine found vOiTe. utter
ing strange cry of terror, which
caused him to glance about. He
leaped to his feet instantly, his eyes
glaring into mine, one hand flung back
as though in search 81 weapon.
! gave him no time. l leaped
straight at him, striking so hard even
as we grappled that the blow sent him
Keeling back against the bookcase. He
knew me then, and the recognition
brought with 1t a fury which trans
formed the Russian into a wild beast.
Coward as / felt him to be, now that
he was cornered. with the spoils of
victory in his very grasp. he became
a demon, a mad dog whose only de-
sire was TO kill
You're lighting a man this time,
yer Inbound; not a whiffet like
Harris. I'll blow hole clear through
yerl Sneaked In, did yer? Well, yen
never sneak out againI Say, how do
yer like the taste o. that?" He struck
with a knee in the stomach, grinning
as l loosened my grip on his beard.
and tried 10 butt into me with low
cred head. caught him instantly,
with free fist, rocking his head back
and cutting a cash in his cheek from
which blood spurted. Ii he possessed
any self-control before, he lost 1t then,
crazed with hate and the desire to
kill. He was barroom fighter, bound
by no rules. capable Of any fer0city-
biting, gouging, using hands and feet,
a ruthless savage. 1t was this which
defeated him, for while was neither
cool nor clear Of mind, I kept my head
sufficiently to remember my training
and accept every advantage that pre-
scented itself; more than that. the very
threats with which he tried to goad
me were guides to his own action,
giving me the swift hint needed for
defense.
Realizing Wine was back Of me,
/ managed to whiri the big bulk OF
the battling Russian about 50 az b
block any surprise attack from the rear.
This movement gave me the support
Of the wall, and, using it as de-
Tense. resorteS to the same tactics
adopted by WaldroG, assaulting him
with feet as well as hands, breaking
his strangle hold on my throat and
forcing him backward. so that swift
kick sent the fellow stumbling over
pile of books. clawing at the empty
air for support He would have gone
sprawling upon his back If Wine had
not been directly in the way. As it
was, he struck the other, the force Of
his big body hurting the smaller man
heavily against the ledge of the outer
window. As the fellow struck, the
glass shivered and crashed into a
thousand pieces. but before Waldron
could regain firm footing, or realize
what had happened. was again upon
him, breaking through his dazed guard
and driving my fists straight into his
face.
The revolver in Wines hand was
DISCHARGED, the bullet whistling past
me, but even as the report cracked, the
pressure Of the Jews body forced the
smaller man relentlessly backward
over the sill He gave utteranca b
one Wild yell OF fright, releasing the
gun and gripping desperately at Wal
dron's collar for support, then toppled
ever backward and went down.
We both heard the crash as the
splinters OF glass gave way, and the
dull, dead thud Of the body as 1t struck
somewhere far below. The Russian
seemed paralyxed with terror, unable
10 quite comprehend what had occurred
behind him. But had seen the trzg-
edy, and my mind worked Ike fash
He made one weak effort to spring