The St. Johns herald., 1921-12-01

came plunging through the opening and faced us, the heavy curtains drop ping behind them and shutting out all view beyond Harris, in1amed by drink, glared about as though doubt ing the evidence of his own eyes, but his expression was that of savage hatred.
 ''H-l. if they ain't both of lem here Say, this is rich. So you two are in cahOots. hey? Thought you'd play me for a d-n fool, did you, Daly2 Well, I'll show you what you're up against you and yer girl. Come now, where's that bOodle%
 'T know nothing about it, Harris"
 "You're a liar This dame went away with Alva in his car. saw her go out with him. You cough up, both of you, and be d-n quick about 1t, or you'll never get out of here with out a hole through you. You think you can dOuble-cross me; I'll show you a trick of my Own!"
 He was reaching for his gun. It must have caught in his pocket, though wasted no time. It was his life or mine, and I 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 rhe curtains, while I 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 a 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 1 wriggled partially free, and got one hand twisted into his whiskerS, jerk ing his head back, and = le-wise. until the strained neck threatened to crack, and he had to release his grip to protect himself It was all over in q minute, but hot while it lasted; I know we struck against the girl, throwing her to her knees; l know the
 
 ing me a chance to drive home one fist square into his face. I heard him rip out a Hebrew oath, and saw blood staining his lips. I 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 it straight to the chin He crashed back across the table, and hung there dangling, arms OutSpread and head in a brORen dish. Before could strike again, or even recover my breath, the curtains were thrust violently aside, and the hea l-waiter. backed by a half dozen subordinates, came tumbling in over Harris inert body. Even as they stared about. I helped the girl to her feet. and faced them.
 'What happen here, M'sieur? What happen" Shrieked the excited French man. You keel ze men? What?"
 NO; they're just knocked out. A little private affair, that's all." said, too exhausted to speak clearly. "See here. Msieur," and l thrust the first bill could reach into his hand. Flush this up, will you, and let the lady and me get out of here"
 He dashed about frantically, wiring ing his hands and gesticulating.
 'Oui. Oui Bet shall be so. There ees to be no trouble, no police Ze men attack you. M'sieur Daly-I see eet all; you protect ze Madame. There be no noise. no peestal-bien! Fran cois. Jules, you will help ze lady an Ze gentleman to gO-quick."
 The two waiter-guardians held back the curtains for us to pass through. The main dining room was not as dis turbed as I 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- tiOn followed.
 A group of walters stood before the outer door, evidently collected there to prevent any alarm from reaching the outside. To the siPnal 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 bravely, and her hand touched my arm as we went up the steps. Above, all remained quiet and dark.
 ''What next?" l asked.
 'T believe there are taKis around the corner"