The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-02-10

doorway and fell Into the night
Gardiner had reached the window
Just In time TO see Adams gun trained
on the doorway. For an instant he
stood dumbfoundcd; there was some
thing uncanny In the sight Of the young
man sitting there In silent. absolute
readiness for the attack. lie drew
back 10 warn Rifles, but he was too
late At that moment the gun spoRe
there was the sound Of heavy body
falling. and stifled noises bore ample
evidence Of the accuracy Of Allan's
eim. But even In that moment Of un.
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.
stalnts 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 clutching for
his throat II had been no part OF
Gardeners plan that there should he
bloodshed In the carrying out OF the
robbery. but he was a man Of quick
decision, who accepted conditions as
he found them. 80 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
II. Allan1 For Gods sake. what has
happenedr Are you shotT' 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 II.
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
I'm 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
II, 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 Il 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 a 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 a victim. From his PROSTATE pO-
sltion. with one powerful leg he inter.
rupted Gardeners flight. and the next
moment the two men we're 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. selling the
younger man by the waist lifted him
bodily from the floor and crashed him
down again upon II. 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
bow. compelled him, at the risk Of a
broken arm. 10 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 tiger he threw
himself upon the farmers back and
wrapped his free arm about his throat
With his air partially cut on 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 20 badly with the farmer; face
downwards on the floor. he was unable
TO shake his adversary on. and was
losing strength rapidly with HIS chok-
ing. Gardiner no longer sought an
opportunity TO break away; his blood
was mp 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 10 retain his present ad-
vantage Inconsistencies would soon
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