The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-10-05
CHAPTER xll--Continusd.

CHApTen xil-Contlnusd.
t.
Look to the right! What 10 thatr'
II was dull. red glow, q mere pin
prick IN the black curtain. yet II
seemed to change In briiliancy. like an
evil eye winklng at Us out Of the
dark. There was something uncanny
about the thing. yielding me no sugges-
ton ~ to what It could be, yet
frightening By its baleful CLEAN at
such . time and place. Then there
was borne to my nostrils the faint
odor Of tobacco smoke: It must be q
man sitting there smoking; what We
cav was the red tip Of his cigar.
Could We slip by unheardf I
doubted II. yet whatever happened.
one Of 10. at least. must escape from
the house before any alarm was
sounded. There was but one chance
left-for her 70 slip silently down
that ether flight Of stairs to the street
door. while remained behind to pro-
tect her aight. II there was no alarm,
no noace taken Of her passage,
possibly I might venture to follow
without being overheard: but she
must 60 hrst. her step was light, and
she was more sure Of the way. Be-
sides, could block pursuit, by
night II necessary. and thus give her
ample time in which to unchain and
open that front door. Once without,
these fellows would never follow.
put my lips close against the girls
ear.
1T 10 4 guard there smoking. Don't
try to answer, but do exactly as l
say. One Of US. at least. must get
out; you stand the better chance,
with my remaining behind to hold
these fellows back II there should be
any alarm. II there is not, I'll follow.
Do you understand ANSWER with
your hand"
felt the firm pressure of her fingers
In quick response.
'.The Fellow evidently hasn't heard
anything yet-you better co.
felt her creep past me without
sound. her hand slipping from my
grasp as her foot touched the level
floor Of the hall. She was invisible,
no longer even a shadow in the black
gloom. Then suddenly from somewhere
. chain cianked 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; lest sight
of the red glow, as though he had re-
moved the cigar from between his
lips. and slowly Strengthened myself
up. braced for any emergency. She
had reached the outside door, and was
preparing to open 1t. For an instant
nothing happened. Then the sharp,
resounding click Of heavy lock
echoed up from beneath. like the tap
of q hammer.
The fellow snapped on the cleo
tricity, flooding the large hall, and,
uttering 4 gruff oath, started forward.
We met face to face. There was
nothing else for 1t but to fight 1t out.
II ran the act would only expose
her before she could distance pursuit
besides that first glimpse had revealed
my antagonist. and I was glad-it was
Gentleman George! He knew me
almost at the same instant, splitting ).
out curse as ne reached back for
his gun.
lyon. hey! How the HI did you
get down here!"
But I was quicker, the move ready.
gripping the wrist. and twisting the
arm back until the torture caused him
to drop the weapon. as we struggled
back across the width Of the hail. We
were both weapOnless. relying only on
the efficacy Of bare hands. but he
turned into savage, dangerous
fighter who cared only to disable his
opponent in any way possible. 1t was
like battling with wild cat. infuri-
ated. crazed with hate and fear. And |
for the moment the fellow had me,
driving me back against the rail. help
less before the ferceness Of his
assault.
Some one was coming. could hear
a voice, and flying steps on the stairs;
then q wOman's scream somewhere |
above. / broke away. getting a grip |
On his throat and feeling my feet |
[irm on the floor. He could see what |
couldn't. and found voice In spite
Of my thro.tling.
Its that id skunk. Severn. got
put. Hit him. Ivan! Smash IN. I've
got the guy-qu,ck nOw!'
whirled with him. ducking my own
head behind his shoulder. gaining as
did SO one blurred glimpse Of Wal
hron as he swung full at me with
what looked like the leg Of q chair.
Harris caught the full force of the
blow just over his eyes and the power
Of It. added to the swirl Of my arms
'ent him hurting along the rounded
rail-, h"adlong down the stairs. Wal.
Iron stood paralyxed. stunned. his
hands still on the club. his eyes follow
'og that flying figure. With all my
strength drove flst Nat to his face,
BID MS he reeled. stumbling backward,
e"'"nror!ns to retain his feet,
sprNnY OASf and n tud tl,,un fh> .tov,s /