The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-09-12
CHAPTER III
Battling By Moonlight

Battling by moonlight
Now the last Of the A. Il. r. had
long since said farewell to the shores
of France. Then, too, Monsieur
Duchemin knew that the uniform Of
the Americans had more than fire.
quently been used by those ancient
acquaintances of his, the Apaches Of
Paris, as a cloak for their own mis-
doings. SO it didn't need the air of
stealth that marked this business to
persuade him there was mischief in
the brew.
He got in motion to investigate
without stopping to debate an excuse
for so doing, and several seconds be-
fore he heard a woman's cries.
Duchemin broke into run that
carried him round a corner and
pumped him headlong into the
theater OF villainy.
This was open ground-a rudely
oval pit little less than seven hun
dred feet in It's narrowest diameter
and something like four hundred in
depth, a vast black well against
whose darkness the blue-white moon
glare etched a strange grouping Of
figures, seven in all.
On his one hand Duchemin saw
"A woman in mourning clasping to
her bosom a terrified young girl, the
author of the screams; on the other,
three men close-locked in grimmest
combat. one defending himself
against two with Indifferent success;
while in between stood third
Noman with her back to and per
ilously near the chasm, shrinking
from the threat Of a pistol in the
hands OF the fourth man.
This last was the one nearest
Duchemin, who was upon him so
suddenly that It would be difficult to
say which was tho more surprised
when Duchemin's stick struck down
the pistol hand OF the other with
such force as must have broken his
wrist. The weapon fell. he uttered
an oath as lie swung round, clutch
ing the manned member; and thon.
seeing his assailant for the first
time. he swooped down to recover
the weapon so swiftly that it was in
his left hand and splitting vicious
tongues Of orange flame before Du-
chemin was able to get in q second
blow.
But there was tho abrupt end OF
that passage. Smitten cruelty be
tween the eyes, tho fellow grunted
thickly and went over backwards like
a bundle of rags, head and shoulders
jutting out over the Drank of the
preciplce so far that though his Body
checked perceptibly as It struck the
ground his own weight carried him
OH, he shot out into space and van
ished as though some unseen hand
had lifted up from these dark depths
ard plucked him down to annihlla.
ton.
The young girl shriekcd again, the
woman gave a gasp of horror. Duche-
mir himself knew a sickish qualm
But he had no time TO spare for that;
il was going III with the man con
tending against two.
The adventurous stick might have
been bewitched that night, so magi-
cal was its work; single blow on
the nearest head (but believe il was
selected with care9 and instantane-
ously that knot Of contention was re-
solved into its three several parts.
The smitten clapped hands to his
hurt, moaning. His brother scoun-
drel started back with staring eyes
in which rage gave place TO dismay
as he grasped the change in the stu
alton and saw the stick swinging for
his head in turn. lie ducked neatly;
the stick whistled through thin air;
and before Duchemin could recover
the other had turned and was run
ming for dear life.
Duchemin delayed bare instant:
hut manifestly his assistance was no
moro needed here. In a breath he
who had been so recently outmatched
recOllected his wits and took the inl-
tlative with admirable address. Duche-
min saw him fly furiously at his late
opponent, trip and lay him on his
back; then Duchemin turned and gave
chase TO the fugitive
This was the masquerade in the