Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-03-06
THE MYSTERY OF.
THE v
BY RANDALL PARRISH

no longe: eve 4 shadow in the black
gloom. Then suddenly from some
where a chain clanked family; the ear
could not determine from what direc-
ton the sound came, yet It was clear
enough to be heard plainly; I lost
sight Of the red glow, as though he
had removed he cigar from between
his lips, brAced for any emergency.
She had reached the outside door, and
was preparing to pen it.. For an in
slant nothiAg happened. Then the
sharp. resoundine click Of a heavy
lock echoed up from beneath, like
the tap Of q. BANNER. sst
The fellow,apappcd on~the electric
ity. flooding The large hall, and, ut
tering a gruN oath, started forward.
We met lace to face; There was
If 1 ran the act would only expose
her before she could distance pursuit;
besides that first glimpse had reveal
cd my antagonist, and l was glad-it
was Gentleman George! He knew
me almost at tho same instant, spit
ting out a curse as he reached back
for his gun.
You. hey! How the h-ll did you
get down here?"
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 hall. We
were both weaponless, relying only on
the efficacy of bare hands, but he
turned into a savage, a dangerous
fighter who cared only to disable his
opponent i'll my way possible. 1t was
like battling with q wild cat, infuri-
ated. craze With hate and fear. And
for the moment the fellow had me.
RI riSyf@u ma l,noL n NJ t,re,. w. so 81 "k-f.
less before the ~fterceness OF his as
sault.
Some one was coming. I could hear
a voice, and flying steps on the stairs;
then a won1an's scream so .eHhere
above II broke away. getting a grip
on his throat, and feeling my feet
firm or the flooS He could see what
l couldn't, and found volnce in spite
Of my throttlinG.
It's that On skunk, Seven. got
out. Hit him, Ivan! Smash In, I've
got the guy-quick now!"
whirled with him, ducking my own
head behind his shoulder. gaining az
] did SO one blurred glimpse Of Wal
dron as he swung full at me with
what looked like the leg of a 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,
sent him hurting along the rounded
rail-, headlong down the stairs. Wal
dron stood paarlyzcd. stunned. his
hands still on the club. his eyes follow
ing that flying figure. With all my
strength, l drove a fist flat to his lace,
and, al he reeled, stumbling back
ward, endeavoring 10 retain his tfee,,
I sprang past, and raced down the
steps. The body lay at the bottom
nnotionless. huddled up in such fasion
a. to- block the door. Without a doubt
but that the man was dead, / thrust
The form to one side, leaped through
the opening, and crashed the door be-
hind me.
I turned to the left. afraid Of the
bright lights. ana the st~reet-tass. ana
plunged into the depths Of the alley.
I may have gone a mile. twisting and
turning before came to What evt-
IDENTIFY WAS 4 small hotel. Here I
encountered 4 cab, an old horse sab,
the driver half asleep inside. An old
time cabhy. was not liable to care who
his fare might be- 10 long a. he was
we'll paid. Encouraged by this re-
Election. I stepped ver to the curb.
Engaged, my mani"
He came to life in an instant.
turnblinE out Of his comfortable quar-.
ters Il face me.
NO cir. l never heard you comm.
night" u,
He stopped. ~ though just noticing
my appearance under the dim street
lights.
yer bin hurt, SIR" he asked solicit
ously. Yer coats all tore, and there's
some blood, on yer face"
* small fight, that's ali, In ga
loon over west Any place around
here where I could wash up?"
Sure; right in .yere; there Amt
YOU"
He opened q little stds-door. and
] followed down q narrow hallway "a
= enaall washroora. flung OF my coat.
and ftlled q b1An with water. Ths
.cA66Y sf0rnAA nm khA lf~nt 90 ..s.S