The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-07

awakened to what 1t all
- meant, for still again he
felt a quick sting Of pain across
the ridge of his shoulder. And his
blood was up.
It was then that he broas.-s
his automatic into play. He
watched for his light-flash, and
shot abstemiously, remembering
that his ammunition was limited
ana his period of defense prob
lematical.
He was firing with the second
revolver when Wilsnach came
lodging and scurrying and fight
ink his way to the door. He kept
calling out. as he came nearer,
for the other man to get back
cut Of the light.
Kestner did not get back out
Of the hight. however, until ne
had seized the painting Wilsnach
ana swung him In through the
haif-opened door. Then the
aoor was slammed shut and
kew turned In the lock. The
darkness was Cimmerian. But
wilsnach could feel Kestner
catching and tugging at his
eoat-sleeve.
~ouickp' cried the Secret
Agent. S"They're on both sides
% us here"
"But are you hurt!" demanded
wilsnach.
"I've rot . scratch or two"
was the others hurried answer.
sBut we'll b getting a heap
worse II we're not out Of here
81 three nainutesP' He was
arsggtng wilsnach back deep
Or into the vslvety dark
ness. ''D'you hear them? They'll
have that door down in = fifty"
'sBut We can't hide in this
<hoIe.'' painted WiIsnach.
Kestner was now stumbling
and cropping his way through the
hlackness.
"come onr he commanded.
'.But wherei" demurred Wills
zach. -.
sewe've stiIl got the wine
csIiax. There's . chance there.
IL we're quick enough"
The next minute they were
running down . flight Of stone
steps, fumbIing with a door-lock.
and cropping and passing their
way along q. mouldy passage be-
tween unbroken wallis.
Hurry" urged Kestner. And
keep one hand against me.
through this crowded press-room.
For he was cropping with both
hands now, OBVIOUSLY, through a
larger chamber that smalled of
benzine and inks and acids, then
fumbling and struggling with an
other door-knob, and climbing
eth another flight of stone steps.
''Stoop lowr' painted Kestner,
~ he bent a little rusteadily to
unIatch a small grated window no
bigger than . kennel-front. He
swayed from side to side as he
did 30, like q man uncertain Of
his footing. He was attempting
to scramble up through the open
ing, but seemed without strength
to make It. Wilsnach got
shoulder under him and pushed
him up.
When wilsnach followed he
found kestner still on the flag
stone outside, lying flat and
gulping down quick lungsful Of
fresh air. as though the last OF
his strength had gone. Wilsnach
had to help the other man~to his
feet.
It's all right" he whispered
There's the strada just beyond
this wall"'
wi!snach, with an arm about
his colleague, scurried unsteadily
along the deep shadows Of the
housefronts, rounding a corner
and striking further eastward
And there's a carrozza" painted
Kestner, with his hand pressed
70 his side.
Wilsnach. the next moment,
was hailing the driver. Night
hawks. the world over, can never
afford to be too inquisitive. So
tho swarthy little Sicilian made
no comment as the all but help
less Ksetner was lifted bodily into
the open carriage.
where TOT" asked Wilsnach,
jumping in beside him, with one
glance back to make sure they
were not being followed.
"Tell him to get US down to
the Via Francesca Crispi, quick"
was the determined but weak.
toned answer.
Wilsnach repeated the order.
Then, as he sat back on the worn