The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1921-09-15
CHAPTER XIl-Continued.

10
~, nix 70 the right! What is thatY'
- was dull, red glow, a mere pin
III IN the black curtain, yet it
p ,mad to change in brilliancy, like an
n owe winking at us out Of the
e ~. There was something uncanny-
u S.nt the thing, yielding me no sugges-
s.n IS to what it could be, yet
s ,gr by its baleful CLEAN at
.h time and place. Then there
wv horne to my nostrils the faint
' n of tobacco smoke; 1t must be a
~"n sitting there smoking; what we
sow was the red tip of his cigar.
culd we slip by unheard? I
,oubted It, yet whatever happened,
sro of rs, at least, must escape from
a. house before any alarm was
.ourded. There was but one chance
ht-for her to slip silently down
+sst other flight of stairs to the street
doOr while l remained behind to pro-
,ct her fight If there was no alarm,
N notice taken Of her passage,
nossibly might venture to follow
ritbout being overheard; but she
nrst 90 first, her step was light, and
xh. was more sure Of the way. Be
sides. I could block pursuit, by a
Asht if necessary, and thus give her
annie time in which to unchain and
amen that front door. Once without,
Aese fellows would never follow.
Iuut my lips close against the girls
ear
1T is a guard there smoking. Don't
ty TO answer, but do exactly as
ny. One of us, at least, must get
out; you stand the better chance,
with my remaining behind % hold
these fellows back if there should be
any alarm If there is not, I'll follow.
Do YOU understand? with
your hand
l felt the firm pressure of her fingers
. in quick response.
The fellow evidently hasn't heard
Hything yet-you better CO."
felt her creep past me without q
sound, her hand slipping from my
grasp as her foot touched the level
floor Of the hall. She was invisible,s
no longer even a shadow in the black
gloom Then suddenly from somewheres
chain clanked family; the ear could
not determine from what direction the
sound came, yet 1t was clear enough
TO be heard plainly. The man stood
still, evidently listening; I lost sight
Of the red glow, as though he had re-
moved the cigar from between his
lips and slowly Strengthened myself
P braced for any emergency. She
had reached the outside door, and was
Preparing to open 1T. For an instant
nothing happened. Then the sharp,
NsONnding click Of a heavy lock
echoed up from beneath, like the tap
Of a hammer.
The fellow snapped on the cleo
Gcty flooding the large hall, and.
Ouering gruff oath, started forward.
We met face to face. There was
nothing else for 1t but to fight it out.
ran the act would only expose
ler before she could distance pursuit ;
OeSdeS that first glimpse had revealed
ny ny antagonist, and l was glad-it was
VentIeman George" He knew me
NuOOSt at the same instant, splitting
w' curse as he reached back for
bis gun.
You, hey! How the HI did you
S0 down here :" -
out was quicker, the move ready,
S'pplng the wrist, and twisting the
WI BACK until the torture caused him
ufOp the weapon, as we struggled
'asA across the width of the hall. We
~ 'e Doth weaponleSs, relying only on
wy NY encacy Of bare hands, but he
t"a ueu into a savage, q dangerous
.s"leF who cared only to disable his
TrS n.y. in any way possible It was
,t. e battling with a wild cat, infuri-
n. crazed with hate and fear. And
A.. Tie moment the fellow had me,
H.. me back against the rail, help
assault. 0"0
ne one was coming. ! could hear
M. .O'ee' and flying steps on the stairs;
ab" u Woman's scream somewhere
On e broke away, getting a grip
Inn NY throat, and feeling my feet
I oo On the floor. He could see what
Of Ou'unt' and found voice In spite
my throttling.
Ont 80 that ID skunk, Severn, got
,ot !, hit him. Ivan! Smash In, rye
"e guy-quick now!" ~
No. Snlrled with him. ducking my own
DID oenlnd his shoulder, gaining as
toO 30 one blurred glimpse Of Wal
What as he swung full at me with
asrr,.l looked like the leg of a chair.
tlOv - caught the full force of the
VII just over his eyes and the power
Tent auded to the swirl of my arms,
An h hlm hurting along the, rounded
dion "eadlong down the stairs. Wal
Aaud, stood paralyzed. stunned. his
Ing H sun on the club, his eyes Fellow
str.or.sst flying figure. With all my
md ss drove fist fiat to his face,
'osvo 0e reeled, stumbling backward,
"ortng to rat.in ~. go II