The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1922-06-21
CHAPTER XX

Sc1ousness he found himself lying in
the shelter of the underbrush alone
And while he attempted to gather
his scattered wits together a figure
came creeping through the bushes to-
ward him. 1t was Briefly, the clerk
carrying hat full of water which he
had procured from the neighboring
rivulet. Briefly had a lump on his
forhead about the size of a silver
dollar, and his disheveled appearance
gave evidence of an active part in the
melee.
What's happened?" asked Peter
slowly, starting UP as memory came
back to him.
But Briefly didn't answer at once.
Here, drink this. I don't think
you're badly hurt
NO Just dazed a Bit muttered
Peter, and Let Briefly minister to him
for a moment.
You see there were too many for
US" Briefly explained. we made
pretty good fight of it at that, but
they. buried US by sheer weight of
numbers Yours isn't the only bruised
head. though. Yakimov got his ear
ly in the game-and Jacob. And
geei but that was a 'beaut you hand
ed F1ynn-right in the solar plexus
with your heel. The savate-wasn't
it? 1 saw Frenchy pull that in a
dive IN Bordeaux reckon FLYNN
won't be doin' much agitatin' for
while-Acept in his stommick'
How did get here?" asked Peter
Il hauled you into the bush as
soon as 1 got a chance-in the con-
fusion-and gradually got you back
in here. But I think they're lookin'
for US, so we'd better get a move on
soon as you're fit enough
Where's Jesse? %
Beat it. I reckon. Haven't seen
him.
II see" And then Briefly. I'm
obliged to you. I'll try to make it
UP to you for this
You needn't bother. Pm for you
You can't let a lot of roughnecks
put it over on you like this
No CAN'T can't" muttered
Peter
II wish we had a bunch of the
boys 1 was with over in France down
here. There's a few up in Mays
Landing who'd clean this lot up in no
time
II wish we had them" Peter
Strengthened with some difficulty and
rose to sitting posture as the
drought came to him. I've got to
get to the phone, Briefly"
No I wouldn't advise that-not
here. Those roughnecks are between
i
reckon. by this time. 1t wouldn't be
safe. Who Were you goin' to phone
TOP"
'May's Landing-the sheriff I'm
going to Sc this thing through
"Rfghto. And I'm with you to a
fare-ye-well. But it's got to be man
aged different. They'll beat YOU to
death if you show up now. 1t was
Yakimov that shot at you. He's after
VSNYr
der You didn't shoot him down. And
then, with some hesitation, Say, Mr.
Nichols you amt really the Grand
Duke Peter, are you?"
Peter smiled. Whats left of him
i am. This man Yakimov is an
agent of Trotzky.''
Briefly whistled softly between his
teeth II reckon they want to get you,
Peter nodded. but they WON'T
not yet"
They held a brief council of war
and in a moment on hands and knees
Were making their way through the |
underbrush in the general direction |
OF Black Rock. Behind them they
heard rough laughter and an occa-
sional outburst of song which pro- |
claimed that new supplies of whisky |
had been unearthed and that the an
sired now prevailed. After a while. |
Peter managed to get to his feet and |
moved on at a greater speed. He |
had only been stunned by Shad's
blow-a part of the force of which
he had caught on his arm. The arm
was still numb and his head thump-
ed, but as he went on in the cool air
his brain cleared and he found it pos
sible to plan with some definiteness.
Briefly knew the sheriff at May's
Landing. There was nothing his
friends would rather do than to be
sworn in as deputies for a job like
this. He had thought it a wonder
that Peter hadn't called the sheriff in
before.
Il thought I could manage the sit
uauOn alone, Brierly.'' said Peter
quietly, ''but it's got the best of me-
The way was long to Black Rock
at least eight miles by the way thew
took-and it was almost O'Clock
when they reached McGuire's They
kned that with the ''f1ivver'' in the
possession of the outlaws it was quite
possible that some of the ringleaders
of the disturbance might have pre-
ceded them, and so they kept under
cover until near the house, when
they quickly emerged from the
bushes and made their wav to the
hAbNAOA OOOA sSILNSI4IlS without knock
ing.
An unpleasant surprise waited
them here. for in the kitchen, secure
" gagged and bound TO a chair. they
found McGuire's valet. Stryker
1t took only a moment to release
the man and to get the gag out of
his mouth. when he began sputterins
and pointing toward the door into
the house.
'Hawk-Hawk Kennedy the
amazed Peter made out.
And after staring at the man in
moment of bewilderment Peter drew
out his revolver and dashed through
the house. keyed up at once to new
adventure, the eager Briefly at his
heels They Went up the stairs and |
TO the door of McGuire's own room.
where they stood for a moment
aghast at the disorder and havoc be-