Elbert County tribune., 1921-11-11
CHAPTER xIl-contInued.

prick In the black curtain. vet IL
seemed to change in brilliancy. like an
evil eye wlnklng at US out of the
dark. There was something uncanny
about the thing. yielding me no sugges-
tion as to what II could be. yet
frightening by its baleful CLEAN at
such a time and place. Then there
was borne to my nostrils the faint
odor of tobacco smoke; 1t must be
man sitting there smoking; what we
saw was the red tip OF his cigar.
Could we slip by unheard? l
doubted 1t, yet whatever happened,
one Of us. at least. must escape from
the house before any alarm was
sounded. There was but one chance
left-for her to slip silently down
that other fight of stairs to the street
door, while l remained behind to pro-
tect her flight II there was no alarm,
no notice taken of her passage,
possibly l might venture to follow
without being overheard; but she
must go first, her step was light, and
she was more sure of the way. Be
sides, | could block pursuit, by a
fight II necessary. and thus give her
ample time in which to unchain and
open that front door. Once without,
these fellows would never follow.
l put my lips close against the girls
ear.
"It is guard there smoking Don't
try to answer. but do exactly as l
say. One of us, at least. must get
out; you stand the better chance,
with my remaining behind to hold
these fellows back II there should be
any alarm. II there is not I'll follow.
Do you and?-answer with
your hand"
1 felt the firm pressure of her fingers
in quick response.
"The Fellow evidently hasn't heard
anything yet-you better CO.
l felt her creep past me without a
sound, her hand slipping from my
grasp as her foot touched the level
floor of the hall She was invisible,
no longer even shadow In the black
gloom. Then suddenly from somewhere
a chain clanked family; the ear could
not determine from what direction the
sound came. yet 1t was clear enough
to be heard plainly. The man stood
still. evidently listening; lost sight
of the red glow. as though he had re-
moved the cigar from between his
lips. and slowly Strengthened myself
up, braced for any emergency. She
had rea ched the outside door, and was
preparing to open 1t. For an instant
nothing happened Then the sharp,
resounding click OF a heavy lock
echoed up from beneath. like the tap
of 4 hammer.
The fellow snapped on the cleo
tricity, flooding the large hall. and,
uttering gruf oath, started forward.
We met face to face. There was
nothing else for it but to fight It out.
II ! ran the act would only expose
her before she could distance pursuit
besides that first glimpse had revealed
my antagonist. and / was glad-it was
gentleman Geofge"l He knew me
almost at the same instant splitting
out a curse as he reached back for
his Gun.
you, hey How the hi did you
get down herer'
But / was quicker, the move ready,
gripping the wrist, and twisting the
arm back until the torture caused him
to drop the weapon, as we struggled
back across the width of the hall. We
were both weaponless. relying only on
the efficacy of bare hands, but he
turned into 4 savage, dangerous
fighter who cared only to disable his
opponent in any way possible. 1t was
like battling with a wild cat. infuri-
ated, crazed with hate and fear. And
for the moment the fellow had me,
driving me back against the rail, help
less before the herceness Of his
assault.
Some one was coming. l could hear
a voice. and flying steps on the stairs;
then 4 woman's scream somewhere
above. / broke away, getting grip
on his throat. and feeling my feet
arm on the floor. He could see what
/ couldn't, and found voice In spite
of my throttllng.
Its that id skunk, Severn, got
out. Hit him. Ivan! Smash In, I've
got the guy-quick now!'
whirled with him. ducking my own
head behind his shoulder, gaining as
/ did so one blurred glimpse of Wal
dron as he swung full at me with
what looked like the leg Of 4 chair.
Harris caught the full force of the
blow just over his eyes and the power
of 1t, added to the swirl Of my arms
sent him hurtling along the rounded
rail, headlong down the stairs. Wal
drnr stood naralyzad stunned his
hands still on the club, his eyes follow
ing that flying figure. With all my
strength drove fist fat to his face,
and. as he reeled, stumbling backward,
endeavoring to retain his feet, l
sprang past, and raced down the steps.