The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-10-22
CHAPTER xII-Continued.

"Look TO the right What Is that!
II was a dull. red glow, mere pm
prick in the black curtain, yer IL
seemed to change in brilliancy, IKE an
evil eve winking 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
sucb n time and place. Then there
was borne to my nOstrils the faint
,,dor 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!
doubted 1t, yet whatever happeneu'
one of us. at least, must escape from
the house before any alarm was
sounded. There was but one chance
yeft-for her to slip silently down
that other flight of stairs to the street
door while I remained behind to pro-
tect her flight. If there was no ALARM
no notice taken of her passage
possibly might venture to foiio"
without being overheard; but she
must 60 first her step was light, ana
she was more sure Of the way. Be
sides, 1 could block pursuit, by
fight IL necessary, and thus give her
ample time In which to unchafn and
opet. that front door. Once without,
these fellows would never follow.
I put my lips close against the girfs
ear.
eft is a 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 If there should he
auy alarm. If there is not, I'll follow.
DO YOU understand with
your hand"
felt the firm pressure of her fingers
IN quick response.
"The fellow evidently hasn't heard
anything yet-you better CO."
I felt her creep past me without
sound, her hand slipping from my
prasp as her foot touched the level
foor of the hall. She was invisible.
no longer even shadow in the black
doom. Then suddenly from somewhere
a chain clanked family; the ear could
not determine from what direction the
sound came, yet ii was clear enough
to be heard plainly. The man stood
still, evidently listening; 1 lost sight
Of the red glow. as though he had re-
moved the cigar from between his
ilps, and slowly Strengthened myself
up, braced for any emergency. She
had reached 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 a hammer.
The fellow snapped on the cleo
tricfty, flooding the large hall, and,
uttering gruff oath, starred forward.
We met face to face. There was
nothing else for 1t but to fight it out.
If l 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 George! He knew me
almost at the same instant, splitting
out 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 unit, the torture caused him
to drop the weapon, as we struggled
back across the width of the hall. We
were both weaponless, relying only or
the efficacy of bare hands, but he
turned into savage, a dangerous
fighter who cared only to disable hi:
opponent In any way possible. 1t wa:
Ike battling with wild cat. infuri
ated, crazed with hate and fear. Ant
Tor the moment the fellow had me
driving me. back against the rail, help
less before the fierceness of hi
assault.
some one was coming. could heal
voice, and flying steps on the stairs
tnen woman's scream somewher,
above. broke away, getting a girl
on his throat, and feeling my fee
nrm on the floor. He could see wha
couldn't, and found voice in spit,
Of my throttling.
Its that id skunk. Severn. go
out Hit him. Ivanl Smash in, w
got the guy-quick now =.
wh'rled with him. ducking nv owl
mead behind his shoulder. gaining a
4 Old so one blurred glimpse of Wal
dron as he swung full at me witt
wnat looked like the leg of a chair
narris caught the full force of tn
p'ow just over his eyes and the powe
OF IT, added to the swirl of nv arm.
sent him hurting along the rounde
ran headlong down the stairs. Wa
a'on stood paralyzed, stunned. hi
aands stu on the club. his eyes follow
ing that flying figure. With all m
strength ! drove fist fat to his fac
anu, as ne reeled. stumbling backwar,
'ueavoring to retain his feet.
p'ang past, and raced down the stem
!pe body lay at the bottom mot,onles
nudaied up la such fashion as
D,oek .ne door. Without Doubt h,
.nat the man was dead, l thrust n
iorln 10 one side, leaped through n
opening and crashed A.
me. Noor oehii
, turned to the left. afraid of II
{, ongnt lights. and the street-cars =,