Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-03-04

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evidence Of tie accuracy Of Allaas
aim. But even IN that moment Of UNI
certainty Gardiner had not lost
thought Of their purpose. and his quick
eye took IN the sleeping form Of John
Harris and the location Of the leather
bag beside the wall Without an in
saints hesitation he vaulted through
the window and, revolver In hand, be-
gan to steal his way softly toward the
treasure.
He had not taken three steps when
Allan plunged full force into him. He
staggered with the shock but recov-
cred himself only to find the young
farmers strong fingers elutching for
his throat. 1t had been no part Of
Gardeners plan that there should be
bIoodshed in the carrying out of the
robbery, but he was a man of quick
decision. who accepted conditions as
he found them. A slight pressure
on the trigger, and Allan fell, cough
ing, through the door.
Gardiner retained his sense of lOea-
ton. and slipped silently to the wall.
Harris was rushing about the rotten
floor in the darkness, crying. What is
It. Allan? For Gods sake, what has
happened? Are you shot?" and for his
own noise he could not hear Gardeners
stealthy movements. Gardeners hand
fell on log Of the wall, and his keen
fingers traced their own way along It..
Five steps, he judged and the bag
would be at his feet. At the fifth step
his toe touched an object on the floor
he leaned over and raised the booty
In his hand.
BY this time his eyes had responded
to the intense darkness, and he could
discern a square Of grayer gloom
where the window admitted the night.
He moved rapidly and silently toward
it, but almost with the last step his
foot slipped through broken spot on
the floor, and he staggered and fell.
The revolver was thrown from his
grasp, but he was able to pitch the bag
through the window as he crashed to
the floor.
The sound arrested Harris, and be-
fore Gardiner could extrlcate himself
the farmer was upon him. At first he
seemed to think it was. Allan, and felt
about In the darkness without attempt
ing to defend himself This gave Gar.
diner an opportunity; he was able to
clasp his arms about Harris shins,
and, with quick turn of the body
cast his adversary headlong to the
floor. At the same moment he freed
himself from his ENHANCEMENT ana
made another dash for the window.
But Harris, still numbed from his
heavy sleep, now realized that some
kind Of tragedy had occurred, ant
guessed enough to believe that Altar
was a victim. From his PROSTATE pc
sition, with one powerful leg he inter
rupted GARDENERS flight, and the mex
moment the two men were rolling OF
the floor in each. Others arms. Har
ris was much the Stronger man of thu
two. but Gardiner was active and hat
some skill in wrestling. Besides, Har
ris had been taken wholly by surprise
and had no idea who his antagonis
was. while Gardiner had full kn0Wl
edge of all the circumstances, and TIN
struggle was less uneven than Nigh
have been supposed. Inwardly cursinl
the luck that had thrown the rev0lve
from his hand, Gardiner sought in tn
darkness for his adversary's throat
nose. or eyes. Harris selling tn
younger man by the waist, lifted hin
bodily from the floor and crashed hin
down again upon 1t, but the next IN
slant Gardiner had one of his hands i
both of his, and, bringing his kne
down with great force on Harris e
bow, compelled him, at the risk OF
broken arm, to turn face downward
on the floor. Gardiner again wrenche
| violently to break free, but Harris
grip was too much for him, so with tn
quickness and fury of tiger he thre'
himself upon the farmers back an
wrapped his free arm about his thr0a
With his air partially cut off Harrl
released the grip of his other han'
and Gardiner instantly took advantag
of this move to bring both arms
|, bear on Harris throat. Things bega
to go badly with the farmer; fat
y downwards on the floor, he was unab
to shake his adversary off, and We
: losing strength rapidly With his chol
ing. Gardiner no longer sought a
: opportunity to break away; his bloc
was up and he was in the fight to Il
: finish, ruled at last by his heart i
stead of his head. Had he been COZ
: tent merely to retain his present a
! vantage Inconsistencies would soc
have overcome his victim, but he trit
! to improve his grip, and the attend
! proved disastrous. His thumb, see
! ing better vantage, fell into Harrl
gaspifg mouth. Harris was no mo
depraved than most of mankind, b.
when fighting for life, and choking
7 death In the hands ofian unknown e
I envy, he was ready to seize any adva
7 tage, and with a great effort
4 brought his jaws together upon the
Z truder.