Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-10-26
The cIenched Fist crunched Into His
Whiskers.

GA& S>SSS--s ~
The cIenched Fist crunched Into His
Whiskers.
aside, forgetful Of his own danger. his
guard dropped, and let him have it,
straight in the jaw. The clenehed fist
crunched into his whiskers, and. with
arms flung up, he went over as if
shot. his head striking an edge of the
overturned bookcase as he fell, and
lay there modonless, a trickle of blood
slowly oozing out upon the floor.
stepped back and leaned out
through the broken window; three
stories below. on a graveled roof, lay
something black, huddled up gro
tesquely, which / knew was human
body, crushed helpless, its bones
broken. drew back from the grue-
some sight, so sickened reeled diZzi-
ly, clutching at the sill for support.
AS / chung there, uncertain, daZed,
my mind for the moment a blank,
some one began rattling and pounding
against the door leading into the cor
ridor.
/ crossed the room, my limbs trem-
bling so / could scarcely walk, my
breath coming in gasps. They were
kicking against the wood and pound
ing with fists, seeking to break in the
lock. The sight sobered me, brought
back my self-control and / threw the
door open and faced them almost cool
ly. There were four policemen, the
first gray-mustached sergeant, re-
yolver in hand, and behind these a
jam Of excited individuals of both
sexes, peering over shoulders to gain
view within. The sergeant gripped
me by the collar. Nov, you: what's
up here? Have you killed somebodyT
mo" / answered. making no effort
to break away. still breathing hard,
but able to express myself clearly.
'There is man dead, but he fell from
a window. / have nothing to conceal.
sergeant. My name is Severn, and
am connected with the United States
consular service. Give me a chance
and I'll hand you my card"
He must have been impressed by the
way acted and spoke, for he released
his grasp and accepted the card
iished out of a vest pocket, holding IL
up TO the light in order to read the
script.
Phillip Severn" he repeated slowly,
his glance wandering again to my face.
"You are friend of Clement Brecken-
RIDGES that rightly"
why, yes" in surprise. II have
known him for some years"
II thought so; i don't forget face
often, but never heard your name be-
fore. l was waiting at the bank to see
Breckenridge few days ago, when
he came out with you from his private
office. He seemed very friendly. Well.
now. Mr.. Severn, what's been takin'
place in heref Come hot fight, hain't
thsreT
His tone was friendly enough, and
1t was quite evident that my acquaint-
ance with the BANKER had already
'sThis is the end Of the Alva murder
and robbery" / said directly; zone of
the men is dead. the other lies in
tnefN senseiess, while the money they
were after Is there also IN a valise
untouched"
"Good Godl What money!
$50 you didn't know about that,
event Well. I'll tell you. Captain
Ava was killed to gain possession Of
large sum which had been paid him
for revolutionary purposes in Chile.
These fellows inside found out about
such payment having been made and
wRyiaid him. They had to kill him In
order TO get the money"
Who did itI"
Il am not quite sure, sergeant but
I think Gaspar Wine committed the
murder. he plunged from a window
and is lying dead down below there.
The other fellow is still alive and was
going to share in the spoils. You
know him, / guess, Russian Jew by
the name Of waldron."
Ivan Waldron, the Red oratorT'
That's the man. IN tell you the
story briefly; all that needs to be told
now. had reason to suspect these
two and hid In that closet, where
could overhear them discussing a divi-
sion Of the spells. The two quarTeled.
during which Wine was forced out
through the window. Then I got the
best Of Waldron, Just RS you fellows
tried to break in"
The sergeant looked about, plainly