Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-07

HE is n mad foolIand yet, by the
breath of God. he Is man ~
And a mans fight did he treat her to,
carried out of himself, gone for the mo-
ment the madman she had named him.
1t was Jim Kendric's way to light In
silence, but now he shouted as he
struck, defying them, cursing them,
striking as hard ms God had given him
strength, recking not in the least OF
blows received. heart and mind centered
alone on the pulsing. throbbing prayer
to feel bone crack before him, to see
head snap back, to feel blood gush forth
from a battered face. A man tripped
him cunningly from the side and he al
hut fell. But he struck back with his
boot and steadied himself by hurting
his toppling body against a resisting
body and crashed on. Yes, and through,
though they clutched at him and
dragged after him A man hung to his
belt and he dragged him four or five
steps: then he turned and drove his
fist into the mans neck and freed him
aelf and bore on. So he came to the
md of the hall and to a locked door
nd turned with his back to the wall.
And again Horaidas hound dogs were
in front of him.
He laughed at them and taunted them
and reviled them. They were nine men
and upon many Of the dark faces were
signs of his passing. And as they came
closer there was respect as well as
caution in their look. They meant to
beat him down. in their minds was no
doubt of the ultimate outcome. for were
they not nine to one? But they had
felt his fists and had no JOY in the
memory. So they drew on slowly.
IL
the eyes of the nearest man he saw
sudden Pickering; it flashed over him
that the fellow meant trickery and no
fair man to man fight. He stood with
his back to the door; he saw the ap-
preaching mans eyes switch to it
briefly. Then it flashed upon Kendric
that he was to be attacked from be-
hind
But even as tho thought came ant,
before he could leap aside, the door was
Jerkcd open and from behind he felt
arms about him. lie struggled and
strained in tcnsing grip. Not just
one man was there behind him; two
at the very least and maybe three. He
heard them muttcring. Then the men
IN front came on in n flying body and
with dozen men piling over him Jim
kcndric at last went down. And once
down, being the man to know when he
had played out his string, he lay still.
MiIl cl senior jim come with mc?"
Horalda was above him. smiling curl.
oHHly. "Or shall I have him carried
along by my mcn?"
"Ill come" he answered shortly.
'llaying no choice. Call them off be-
fore l Stihe."
Ioroida ordered, the men fell back
and kcndric rose. She made quick
signal and they filed out through a
further door.
! Come" she said to him. She caught
up a cloak which had slipped from her
shoulders, thing of silkcn scarlet, and
led the way down the hall.
lie followed, ready and eager for n
tax with her which would be the last.
lie fully meant to make break for the
open tonight. And alone. He was as
surfing himself that he drew vast
| pleasure from that consideration-that
he was free from now on to play out
his own hand in his own way without
reference to others. What he did not
admit to himself was that he was
trumping up an explanation of the fact
that, while he was following Xoraidn.,
he was thinking of Betty. lie was won
dcring where Betty had gone In such a
furry. when he should have been ask
ing himself where Xoraida was taking
him and for what purpose Of her own.
CHAPTER Nv
OF the Ancient Gardens Of the Golden
TezCucan
h,. ~