Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-12

" diStinguishable. saw too clearly Tor
my liking, however, the figure OF the
man on the opposite pavement, who
had slipped past me unnoticed and was
about to cross the road in front of me
:.iJH the palpable object of intercepting
my progress. I saw no. another Shad-
owy figure near at hand, VITO had ap-
parently been walking in the middle OF
the street and who was obviously pre-
pairing to accoSt me, and from behind l
heard the soft pad of rubber-shod feet.
in that moment I cursed the weakness
that had led me to display myself at the
Casino bar. after my rather conspicu-
Gus good fortune. Then the man who
had turned from the middle of the street
addressed me, the other one loitered IN
my way and the breath of the third
was already upon my neck.
Monsieur will be so kind? Fire Tor
the cigarette, if you please"
It was an evil face and mocklng
voice. Already fancied could feel the
fingers of that unseen figure behind
stealing toward my throat.
1t was o'clock in the morning and
the street was deserted. One thinks
quickly in such moments, and I decided
that action was my only hope. stop
ped to ask no useless questions. drove
my fist into the face of the man VINO
had addressed me and I kicked Vlgor-
ously behind at the Shins of my unseen
but menacing garroter. =. For a
moment this unexpected attack seemed
likely to have a triumphant issue. The
man whom I had struck reeled round.
lost his balance, fell into the gutter and
turned over on his side. My opponent in
the rear gave yell of pain, which al
forded me time to spring away from MS
threatened embrace and stand With my
back to the shattered window of shop.
! stood there with Clenched fists, little
excited at my first success and full OF
hope that, if these deSperadoeS were OF
the ordinary type, they would take 10
flight in the face of such resistance. My
hopes. however. were Short-llyed. the
man in the gutter spat at me and be-
tween his first futile attempts to stag
ger to his feet shouted encouragement
to his comrades. The man whom had
kicked threw himself upon me, dodglng
nv blows, so that I almost overbalanceo
myself At the same instant saw the
CLEAN of steel in the hand OF the thlro
man, who was drawing toward me war
ily. but inevitably. He crept forward,
STOPPING little, SO that I scarcely knew
how to deal with him. I am, fortunate
". long in the arm. and I was able, Tor
the moment. to ward him off and catch
hold of the fingers that held the knife.
Then the two closed in upon me. There
were one or two short blows. realized
that, as I had to occupy myself chiefly
with the man whose hand was gripping
that cruel-looking knife, could hold out
only for a few seconds against the VI
cious attack of my other adversary. An
other blow left me still on my feet, fight
ing automatically, but only half-con-
"A LIGHT flashed suddenly across the
"A street, but I was engaged IN my
last desperate effort to keep that Wrlst
from turning and the point OF the knife
away from my body, and 1 was unable
to look around to see if succor was at
hand. I was not long left in suspense,
however, before heard the screening
of a brake and was conscious OF rapidly
approaching footsteps and a voice
hoarse with passion. heard what
seemed to be the open palm of mans
hand come crashing against the cheek
of my right hand aSSailant and realized
the sudden weakening of every muscle
in the body of the man with whom
was contending. Events that followed
unfolded themselves in a misty Sc
quence, for was dizzy and faint. The
knife disappeared, It's owner craWled
away, broke suddenly into run and
headed for the end of the street, my
other adversary on his heels. The man
who had been raising himself from the
gutter staggered after his comrades and
looking after the retreating figures as
though uncertain whether to pursue
them or not stood my rescuer.
My recollectionS of that moment have
always been cloudy, but believe that
tried to speak and could do nothing
but smile feebly. / carried away with
me, however, curiously distinct i'm
preston of the man who had come to
my aid. He was certainly of no more
than medium height. He was not par
ticularly broad, but in his tense, upright
figure he gave one the idea of great
strength. He was wearing the evening
clothes of the Continent-a short din
ner jacket and black tie.
He had evidently been driving coupe
drawn up in the street. His complexion
was pale and even at that moment
remember noticing the unusual combi-
nation in man of deep blue eyes and
black hair. His expression was one OF
furious anger.
are you hurt?" he asked suddenly
found words and because 1 was in
gaDd training, in good health and mod
eamtely young, felt the strength COM
ing back to my limbs with unexpected
swiftness.
Thanks to you, no." answered.
You were unWise," he said, IF the
gumors of your winnings have any foun-
dalton, to trust yourself in this quar-
Ger. What do you do here, may ask?"
II am staying near here, at the Hotel
Ges Postes," told him.
He laid his hand gently upon my
SEm and led me across the street.
step inside" he invited, opening the
lpor of his car. Il will drive you to
IJe Hotel des PosteS."
Within five minutes he drew up oppo-
<te the tall, gloomy building where I
Dad my apartment.
You'll come in?" begged
eff you will excuse me, no." my COM
Panion replied, remaining seated at the
Wheel.
But must insist. You must tell me
whom I have to thank for this wonder
full assistance"
1T is matter of no consequence" he
said quietly. Let it be a lesson to
you, especially since you seem to have
the habit of winning in such place as
the Casino, to choose habitation in a
different quarter. Permit me to restore
your pocketbook, which I picked up on
che pavement"
He pressed the case into my hand and
before l could stop him the coupe was
gliding down the street. I turned to the
concierge, who was studying my disor-
dered appearance curiouSly.
DO you know who that gentleman
vase" I asked.
The man shook his head.
II did not notice him." he confided.
"Monsieur has met with some mis-
forJune?"
Nothing of any consequence" re-
piled.
X x X x
MICE is a large town-larger than
many people realize. 1t possesses
almost as many hotels as London, two
enormous casinos and many restaurants