Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-07-29

falling, and stitied noises bore ample
evidence of tie accuracy of Adams
aim. But even In that moment of I'M
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
che 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 clutching for
his throat. IT had been no part of
Gardeners plan that there should be
bloodshed 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 loca-
ton, and slipped silently to the wall
Harris was rushing about the rotten
floor in the darkness, crying, "What is
1t, Allan? For Gods sake, what has
happened? Are you shoty" and for his
own noise he could not hear Gardeners
stealthy movements Gardeners hand
fell on a log of the wall, and his keen
fingers traced their own way along 1t.
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 square of grayer gloom
where the window admitted the night.
He moved rapidly and silently toward
1t. 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 extricate himself
the farmer was upon him. AT first he
seemed to think 1t 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 and
made another dash for the window.
But Harris, still numbed from his
heavy sleep, now realized that some
kind of tragedy had occurred, and
guessed enough to believe that Allan
was victim. From his PROSTATE po-
sition, with one powerful leg he inter-
rupted Gardeners flight, and the next
moment the two men were rolling on
the floor in each others arms. Har-
ris was much the stronger man of the
two. but Gardiner was active and had
some skill in wrestling. Besides, Har-
ris had been taken wholly by surprise
and had no idea who his antagonist
was, while Gardiner had full knowl-
edge of all the circumstances. and the
struggle was less uneven than might
have been supposed. Inwardly cursing
the luck that had thrown the revolver
from his hand, Gardiner sought in the
darkness for his adversary's throat
nose, or eyes. Harris, seizing the
younger man by the waist, lifted him
bodily from the floor and crashed him
down again upon 1t, but the next in
slant Gardiner had one of his hands in
both of his, and, bringing his knee
down with great force on Harris ell
broken arm, to turn face downwards
on the floor. Gardiner again wrenched
violently to break free, but Harris
grip was too much for him, so with the
quickness and fury of a tiger he threw
himself upon the farmers back and
wrapped his free arm about his throat.
With his air partially cut Off Harris
released the grip of his other hand,
and Gardiner instantly took advantage
of this move to bring both arms to
bear on Harris throat. Things began
to go badly with the farmer; face
d0wnwards OH the floor he was unable
to shake his adversary Off, and was
losing strength rapidly with his chok-
ing. Gardiner no longer sought an
opportunity to break away; his blood
was up and he was In the fight to the
finish, ruled at last by his heart in
stead of his head. Had he been con-
tent merely to retain his present ad-
vantage unconsciapsness would soon
have overcome his victim, but he tried
to improve his grip, and the attempt
proved disastrous. His thumb, seek
ing better vantage. fell into Harris
gasping mouth. Harris was no more
depraved than most Of mankind, but
when fighting for life, and choking to
death In the hands of an unknown en-
envy, he was ready to seize any advan-
tage, and with great effort he
brought his jaws together upon the in
truder.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
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