Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-08-18

out a hole through you. You think
you can double-cross me; iii show
YOU trick of my own"
He was reaching for his gun. It
must have caught in his pocket, though
| wasted no time. 1t was his life or
mine, and | gripped the empty wine
bottle on the table and smashed a
vicious blow at his head. He went
down like a log, his body half project
| ing through the curtains, while
wheeled about barely in time to meet
the mad bull rush of Waldron. The
Russian could not have been armed,
for he came at me with bare hands,
his grip like that of bear, For an
instant he had me throttled, scarcely
able to breathe, my hands pinned help
lessly in the grasp of his arms. But
brute strength was all he possessed,
brute strength and ferocity. The bot
tie was crushed out of my fingers, yet
l wriggled partially free, and got one
hand twisted into his whiskers, jerk
ing his head back, and side-wise. until
the strained neck threatened to crack,
and he had to release his grip to
protect himself 1t was all over in a
minute, but hot while it lasted; i
know we struck against the girl,
throwing her to her knees; know the
fellow stumbled over Harris legs CIV
ing me chance to drive home one
fist square into his face. Il heard
him rip out Hebrew oath, and saw
blood staining his lips. / tried to
break away from him, but it was no
use; yet the effort opened his guard
for a swift uppercut, and | let him
have 1t straight to the chin. He
crashed back across the table, and
hung there dangling, arms outspread
and head in a broken dish. Before
could strike again, or even recover
my breath, the curtains were thrust
violently aside, and the head-waiter,
backed by half dozen subordinates,
came tumbling in over Harris inert
body. Even as they stared about, l
helped the girl to her feet, and faced
| them.
"What happen here, M'sieur? What
happen?" shrieked the excited French
man. "You keel re men? What?"
"No; they're just knocked out A
little private affair, that's ALL" l said,
too exhausted to speak clearly. "See
here, M'sieur," and l thrust the first
bin could reach into his hand. "Hush
this up, will you, and let the lady
and me get out of here"
He dashed about franticaly, wiring
ing his hands and gesticulating.
"Oui, oui Eet shall be so. There
ees to be no trouble, no police. Re
men attack you, M'sieur DAILY see
eet all; you protect re Madame There
be- no noise, no peestal-bien Fran
co.'s, Jules, you will help re lady an
re gentleman to go-qulck."
| The two waiter-guardian held back
the curtains for us to pass through.
| The main dining room was not as dis
turbed as / anticipated it might be.
AS we came forth and made our way
down the aisle under escort, we were
gazed at curiously, but no demonstra-
ton followed.
"A group vi WuiltIS SLOOu pclOIt lHt
outer door, evidently collected there
to prevent any alarm from reaching
the outside. To the signal of Francois
these stepped aside, permitting us to
pass through into the vestibule.
l assisted my companion into her
coat, and then hastily struggled into
my own. She was pale, but her eyes
met my own bravelv; and her hand
touched my arm as we went up the
steps. Above, all remained quiet and
dark. -
"What next?" l asked.
II believe there are taxis around the
corner"
"Good; ! would prefer riding to
walking, myself Where do you wish
to be taken"
Back to the hotel, please"
In the semi-darkness Of the cab /
felt her hand touch mine gently, "a
though half afraid.
"Oh, l was so frightened--so sorry
to have brought you there. 1t was all
my fault. The Russian had knife"
ItS, hiio" tahShb q
of 1t, but he went down and out for
the count before it could be used.
There is nothing to worry over now"
"They did not get the money!"
mo, that is clear enough. Some
body got the bulge on them, and they
are very properly sore. You heard
Harris swear you left with Alya."
Harris knows nothing about it; you
must believe me-"
II intend to-certainly as against
Harris"
She may not have been altogether
pleased with my answer, for she said
no more until we drew up at the hotel
entrance. She waited while | settled
with the chauffeur, and we crossed
the wide pavement together.
at may be best for you not to come in;
| one never knows"
"This is not final parting, | HOPPER
perhaps so, perhaps not. You do
not wholly trust me Some day | mean