The diamond drill., 1921-06-25
CHAPTER XIV.
The Death Of a Murderer.

Wine. outstretched on the floor at
my very feet. stared up at me, 80
startled by my sudden appearance
as to be speechless. Waldron, OBJ
hvious OF all else but the money. now
almost In his possession, was upon
his knees before bookcase, dragging
out the heavy volumes from the low
er shelf. dumping them ON the floor.
From behind these he had already
drawn forth into view black leather
valise, when Wine found voice, utter
Ing a strange cry OF terror, which
caused him to glance about. He
leaped TO his feet instantly. hts eyes
glaring into mine. one hand flung back
as though In search of a weapon.
gave him no time. / leaped
straight at him, striking so hard even
as we grappled that the blow sent him
reellng back against the bookcase. He
knew me then. and the recognition
brought with IL fury which trans
formed the Russian into a wild beast.
Coward as felt him 10 be, now that
he was cornered, with the spolls OF
victory In his very grasp. he became
a demon. a mad dog, whose only de-
sire was TO KILL
You're fighting a man this time.
yer h--l-hound; not a whifret like
Harris. I'll blow hole clear through
yerI Sneaked In, did yer? Wei. ye'll
never sneak out again Say, how do
yer like the taste o. that?" lie struck
with knee In the stomach. grinning
as l loosened my grip on his beard
and tried TO butt into me with low
cred head. i caught him instantly,
with free fist, rocking his head back
and cutting a cash In his cheek from
which blood spurted. IL he possessed
any self-control before, he lost IL then,
crnzed with hate and the desire 10
Kill. He was barroom fighter, bound
by no rules. capable OF any ferocity--
biting, gouging. using hands and feet,
a ruthless savage. IL was this which
defeated him. for while / was neither
cool nor clear OF mind, kept my head
sufficiently to remember my training
and accept every advantage that pre-
sented itself; more than that, the very
threats with which he tried 10 guad
me were guides 10 his own action,
giving me the swift hint needed for
defense.
Realizing Wine was back OF me,
l managed TO whirl the big bulk OF
the battling Russian about so as TO
block any surprise attack from the rear.
This movement gave me the support
of the wall, and. using Il as a de.
fense, / resorted TO the same tactics
adopted by Waldron. assaulting him
with feet as well as hands, breaking
his strangle hold on my throat and
forcing him backward. SO that a swift
kick sent the fellow stumbling over a
pile OF books, clawfng az the empty
air for support He would have gone
sprnwllng upon his back II Wine had
not been directly In the way. AS II
was, he struck The other, the force OF
his big body hurling the smaller man
heavily against the ledge Of the outer
window. As the fellow struck. the
glass shivercd and crashed into a
'ANhoAAh IANA'o, hAA htANIt huAuIDn L.
could regain firm footing or realize
what had happened, was again upon
him, breaking through his dazed guard
and driving my fists straight into his
face.
The revolver IN Wines hand was
discharged. the bullet whlstllng past
me. but even as the report cracked. the
pressure OF the Jews body forced the
smaller man relentlcssly backward
over the SILL lie give utterauce 20
one Wild yell Of fright releasing the
gun and gripping desperately nc Wal
dron's collar for support, then toppled
over backward and went down.
We both heard the crash MS the
spllnters Of glass gave why. and the
dull. dead thud OF the body as Il struck
somewhere far below. The Russian
seemed parulyzcl with terror. unable
10 quite comprehend what had occurred
behind him. but l had seen the trng-
edy, and my mind worked like a flash.
He made one weak effort to spring