Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-26

Polling a Desperate Plot.
-HE fash of an electric torch fof
moment almost blinded Mar
tin. He heard a quick. excited
i voice.
Get YOU To the ladder with the giri'
I'll see 70 i'm"
The man with his burden went stag
rering on. From behind the loren came
q fierce shout, -,
Stop where you are, you fool! III
let daylight into you If you come an
other yard.
The man was half way out again now.
Everything around was taking clear
outline. Martin saw few YARDS IN
front of him the father OF the boy ms
arm outstretched in threatening iash.
ion Stumbling through the shrubs ana
undererowth a few yards farther on
was the other man and. most pltllui
SIGHT of all--I.aurita gripped in his
arms. her ewes full Of wild fear Her
wrists were held BIZ her captor ana
something like a lespirator had been
fastened over her mouth. Nevertheless
she made sobbing little sound as
She saw Martin and redouoleo ner
struggles.
It's all right Laurita, Martin called
out
ATS ali wrong with you. you damned
fool" the man between shouted.
Martin. plunging forward. crasneo
rrematurely into the iron fence ana
perhaps saved his life. simultaneous
~ a bullet whistled past him. Inc
man lowered his pistol ~
i've done him in he n1uttereo. Up
the ladder like hell, John! Hit er on
the cad If she squeals.
They made dash for II. Martin,
unhrrt was on his feet in moment
HIS first assailant heard his rush, out
had no time to draw his pistol again
before Martin had disappeared on me
other side of the tree. There was no
more sneech now. Laurita's captor
who had reached the wall. swung
round in time TO receive the fun weight
Of Martins fist upon his jaw. he went
over like log. and Laurita. suooenIy
freed. slipped from his grasp amongst
the bushes. With her hands at no
erty. she tore at the gag before hef
mouth. xa
had come round the shrubs and was
stancins q few feet away, gripping
wicked looking automatic.
blast vouI" he shouted. III you
move an inch you're a deao man. l
NAV shoot YOU first or I may. shoot
the gal I've a by good MIND 10
make IL the pair of you.
MS face was clearly visible now IN
the filtered moonlight and without
doubt he was in deadly earnest. Mar
tin stood mctionless. thinking nara. 80
far as he could tell. the otner ma :
rauder was incapable OF iuFtnef sctloiI !,
Tsurfts Rad scrambled 10 r1ef ieet anu
vas standing trembling bya his SIDE.
.'wnst've you done 10 my pal? tne
man asked. still with hts pistol leveleo
n Martins chest.
knocked him out" Martin an
swered. Il wish I'd had time 10 90
the same 10 you"
The other man made sound which
IN normal time might have oeen a
II wouldn't have been any too easy.
Young fellow. Stand away from the
gal" 100000
we ysn. her That's all. We want
re, ,or Korns one as has a better claim
than any Of you up there. TINS lsn
,nv By abduction We're out 10 re-
store tie gal 10 her loving fatnef
You've interfered quite enough.
I'm interfere q little more before
vn,, take her away Martin said flrmiy
THE man approached half step
nearer. his pistol still threatening
Martin suddenly leaned forward,
peering into the darkness. He raised
his arm and shouted
Come on. Maliowesi Come on, John
Here we are! There's only one Oh
tnemi" -. ....z.
The man gave quick hah turn arm,
.nd Martin. VINO had calculated the
sskCH
hand seized his opponents Wrist aho
'he pistol exploded narmiessly IN the
zir Then With all his strength ne
xo,l2ht 70 Dohsess himself % the weapon.
Jsis ssgsIEsnt win MS left hand struck
him nn the back Of the head, but MAI
80 although he spun round. was aDie
IN keeu his feet The fingers locked
youn6 ,n9 butt Of he pistol we're weak
eninv and the Weapon gas almost MS.
sooner than reiinqUisn y altogether
however. with MS last e1ort Inc man
9erked It into mick Dusn. MaI'lh
nroks away ~ gain moneni s
,eSn,ts and the two swayed on their
feei both breathing heavily. II was
a. though they we're taxing STOCK q
ere aneiagr in tbs van light. vflicn
vas rsptdly becoming more uncertain.
"Iook mere. guYnor" the man said
with 2 little sob In MS throat, we
gone ss far ~ ] yant 10 on this TOO
vas tod there wouldn't be sny IN
terfsrerct
Martin moistens1 his lips ard tried
hard 70 keep his voice STEADY.
well be SAID sharply. What
about it2"
'..et ms tske my pal III and you
bsp It NTH the young woman
''Eog u <cu get him up
"Igl see 70 that H. Il do2'
Martin heatSted tot a moment lie
saw what his antagonist hso NOT no
fieec The fallen man was beginning
~, twfteh-~a sure sign that he Was on
me ooint Of recovery.
TITS a do" he agreed Lsuflts. gsl
through the rails ard start toward th'
house" ,,.... -.
she obeyed staggering b!indly ioi
enc first few psces
.goW. what about inst pistoi27 Mar
the man looked 81 him queer
sfoht IN his torn paiamss. b!eedlnf
feet and blood streaming from ne aid'
II suppose you're gent" he ssld
..y wow YOU wouldn't tr11At me-, W -
,r,,et yo9j Take Il out ~ the bliSf
.nn chuck Il into toe road
Martin obeysd, walking nafk"af'
arc keeping his eye on ms laN an
faRonist He stopped down, iehfne,,