The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-22

his quick thinking had done him a
service. 1t was clear that the men
outside had decided that the shot had
taken effect.
And now. instead of creeping to the
doorway, Peter settled back upon the
floor again, PROSTATE, but in such a
position that his eyes and his revolver
commanded the entrance to the cabin.
He Wanted. 1t was a nerve-rack-
ing business, but the thought of all
that depended upon his safety stead
led him into a preterna tura1 calm like
that which falls at the presence of
death. Death was imminent here for
some one. 1t lurked just outside. 1t
lurked in the finger that Peter held
against the trigger. And Peter meant
that the adventure should end at the
doorway
Presently he heard a gentle shut
fling of feet outside and the whisper
again, this time quite distinctly, You
got him, L reckon
Whose voice was that? Not Hawk
Kennedy'S Peter lowered
his head to his arm and closed his
eyes, watching the door-jamb
through his eyelashes, his revolver
hidden. but its muzzle in line. A
bulky shadow on the step, a foot and
then a head cautiously protruded-
that of Shad Wells. followed immed
age which only partially concealed the
dark eyes and beard of YakimoV, the
Russian. 1t took considerable eXer-
else of will on Peters part to remain
quiescent with the stare of those four
eyes upon him, especially when he
noted the weapon in the fingers of
the Russian. But he waited until the
two men got into the room.
There he is. You got him, Yaki-
a laugh
Perhaps Peter heard, "but
I'll make sure of it.
Yakimov's pistol rose slowly, half
way to the level of his eyes. But it
was never fired, for Peters revolver
flashed fire, twice-three times, and
Yakimov with a sudden wide stare at
vacancy pitched forward and crashed
down. The surprise was complete,
for a fourth shot went into the right
arm of Shad Wells, which ruined his
shot and sent his weapon Gathering
to the floor.
Peter had taken Shad's> measure
once before and the memory of the
blow from the axhandle earlier in the
day did nothing to soften Peters in
tent. The quick command as he
scrambled to his feet and the sight
of the imminent weapon caused Snau
suddenly to forget everything but the
desire, whatever else happened, not
to die as Yakimov had done. And so
he put his hands up-staggering back
against the wall. Peter, with his weap-
on still covering Shad, but his fingers
over Yakimov's heart The man was
dead Then he rose soberly and
faced Shad.
ct ought to kill you like the dog
that you are" he said tensely, but I
want to question you first. Stand
over by the bed"
Shad obeyed and Peter, watching
h I'M closely, picked up his weapon and
and examined them care
fully, putting one in his pocket and
LAYING the other beside him on the
manteI But all the fight was out of
Shad, who stood stupidity while Peter
bound his wrists behind him The |
man was badly hurt, but it was no
time for Peter to be playing the good |
so much for keeping bad compa- |
nv" said Peter coolly. you'll find |
more of the same sort in the lookup |
1t Mays Landing"
you daresn't send me there" NUT |
erred Shad, with a feeble attempt at |
oravado.
won't II You'll see-for attempt
ID murder. The sheriff is on his way |
1ere now. Have You anything to
,ay?"
shad was silent, cycling the dead
nan.
.Oh. very we'll" said Peter. He
.losed and locked the door and, keep
ng the man covered with his revolt
-er, moved tc the telephone and got
IcGuireat Black Rock House, telling
lin in few phrases what had hap
,ened.
yes, va kimov. the Russian-I shot
lin, Yes killed
lin. 1t was to save my own life
Shad Wells A prisoner.
send Briefly with car down here
t once. Hawk has been here, too,
nd has met Beth Cameron
Tod knows. He has taken her away
With him somewhere-abducted her,
Yes Yes
We got to fnd her. Yes. Beth-can't
on understand? She came
,ere to bring me a letter
ound it. Hawk was here early this
morning II know it. He
ound her with some of my handker-
hiefs No. there's no doubt
f it-none at all can
tand here talking. Send Briefly at
nee. Understand -
And Peter hung up the receiver and
urned toward Shad. who was lean
,E forward toward him, his face pale,
is mouth aEape at what he had
card. But Peter, unaware OF the
udden transformation in his prison
!, only glanced at him and. bending
YER. began a search of the pockets |
f the dead man. when Shad's voice
ut the silence
..You-you say he stammer-
4 chokingly. you say B-Beth has
cen abducted nister-Beth Gamer ,
Peter Strengthened, his eyes search {
1s the lumberman's face. II
yes Today-thiS morning.. ne
answered crisply. What of It p" Do
on know anything- f
Hawk Kennedy took herr" the {
ian faltered- Are you sure I
Peter sprang up. his eyes blazing
18th eagerness- '
What do you know of Hawk Ken
edy?'' he cried. And then, as Shad s
eemed suddenly to have been stricken I
umb. Peter seized him by the Shout
or and shook him. speak, Do r
ou know Hawk Kennedy"