The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1925-07-23


shot through him with the force Of
an electric shock, mailing him to the
floor.
The intense silence had not been
broken by any perceptible sound, and
yet David knew, by the voice Of that
subtle, mysterious sense which never
lies, that his solitude was broken by
an alien presence-that danger
crouched beside him.
Naturally daring and impulslve, Da-
vid now found 1t difficult to restrain
himself; every fiber Of his being cried
out in anger and despair at his awful
helplessness. But his mind was as
clear as glass, and he reasoned with
lightning-like rapidity.
II burglar had obtained entrance,
he must be a fellow Of stout nerve,
willing to take desperate chances. It
was an undertaking custom Of the
house to have an electric light burn
Ing all night In the reception hall, and
also In the long upper corridor where
David now stood. BY a clever me-
chanical device this was secured in
such manner that 1t was impossible
for strangers to turn it off. Therefore
David knew that the intruder would
realize the great danger that he was
facing in making his way through a
lighted house where, at any moment,
some one might chance to see him,
without being seen.
There was window at the end OF
the corridor. which one might reach
from the porch below, and 1t would, of
course. be necessary to traverse the
lighted hall, in order to reach the bed
rooms. and the dining room on the
lower floor. where a thief would nat
urally expect to find the silver.
Probably It did not take more than
half minute for all this to pass
through David's mind, and with 1t the
further assumption that the burglar
would instantly perceive the condition
of the man who had thus suddenly
crossed his path, and, thinking him.
self undiscovered, would allow the un-
conscious enemy to pass on In peace,
rather than precipitate disturbance.
Consequently. David thought 1t
might be possible for him to gain his
own room, arouse Logan, and summon
the police by telephone before the
burglar would know that he was
trapped.
He leaned heavily back against the
door, with one hand pressed to his
head, as II his hesitation were caused
by weakness, then with Outstretched
arms advanced slowly, with falterlng
steps, in the direction Of his dressing
room door.
But, seemingly. fate was against
him. He was still weak and nervous
from his long illness, and the fearful
strain Of the past day, and now the
strong excitement which possessed
him proved to be the last straw. A
deathly faintness crept over his senses
and he staggered heavily from side to
side. With all his pltiful remnant Of
strength he strove to regain his bal
ance, but 1t was in vain. He felt him
self falling-falling, and with last
"SopCA otO ChOlI LillCW ouL Ills uduuS
selling in viselike grip the object
with which they came in contact.
He vaguely comprehended, as in q
half-waking state. that a human be-
ing was in his grasp, heard, as from
distance, the sound Of an angry oath,
and then down the long flight Of stairs
they went together, humping, rolling,
crashing, until David felt sudden.
sharp, agonizing blow on the side Of
his head, and then-a moment of OBJ
livion.
1t was not cheerful tableau which
was revealed by the softly shaded
light, although the lofty hall, with its
beautiful furnishings, made an artis-
tic background, but the attitudes Of the
two men who lay there in a heap
against the heavy oaken hall settee
were terribly suggestive of death.
David Graham was the first to re-
cover consciousness, and he took ad-
vantage of 1t to grasp the intruder
firmly by the throat. AS he slowly
raised himself to a sitting posture
upon the PROSTATE body, a fog seemed
to lift from his dazed intelligence and
then
God! Could 1t be true? He found
himself gazing into the burglars
blinking little ferret eyes, and noting
that the burglars hair was red!
Had the days Of miracles returned7
Could he really see? He caught a
deep breath and gasped:
"Who are you?-what are you do
ing here?-where did you come from"
"Dey calls me Reddy Dugan, but me
names Jerry, an l comes from Heav-
enl OATS over beyond de flats, yer
know! hain't swiped t'ing-honest
to God, hain't! fought youse
lamps wuz Quit"
"No,"-said David, pulling himself
and the man to their feet, and gaz-
ing about-"the lamps are working all
right"
Eyer eyes, I meant, boss-I fought
youse wuz blind"
you're right" answered David