The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-10-28
Nv HUGH CLEVELY

hony. the big Irishman tripped; the
two men together staggered into a
small chair. knocked it over. and
came crashing to the ground.
AS he fell. the Irishman had In.
stinctively released his grip and
flung out one arm to try to retain
his balance. Mahony gave desper
ate wriggle and got clear.
The two men rose to their feet al
most simultaneously. Mahony's back
was against a corner of the wall: his
breath was coming painfully in sob
bling gasps: and the Irishman barred
his exit from the corner. In another
moment that terrible grip would
close on Mahony's throat again.
Mahony had neither the energy
nor the breath remaining to dodge.
There was only one thing to do, and
he did it. AS the Irishman sprang
in again to the attack. he marshalled
all his strength in one supreme eff
fort and sprang to meet him.
And this time, either from sheer
carelessness, or because he thought
that his opponent was exhausted.
the Irishman left a vital spot un-
guarded. Mahony's fist. with all the
skill and timing learned during
many hours Of boxing, and with
every bit of bone and muscle in his
body. and all the strength of despera-
ton behind the blow. crashed fairly
on to the angle of the big mans jaw.
The Irishman. coming forward at
full speed. was knocked clean over
in his tracks, landing on he fat Of
his back with a crash that seemed
to shake the building. Mahony. pant.
ing and exhausted. leaned back
against the wall. His right hand felt
jas though every bone in it was
broken! The 'Irishman lay still
From outside In the street came
la soundoofipeices and a car drawing
up. The big Irishman stirred. Slowly
and feebly he raised himself into a
sitting position. Mahony stepped for
ward from the wall. In case of any
more trouble he meant to use the
butt OF his pistol.
The big man. sitting on the floor,
stared up at him in a bewildered
manner, his eyes wide with wonder.
A hideous smile twisted his battered
lips.
THAT was foine punch. Mister"
= he said in a tone of awed ad.
miration. 81 don't know that any.
body ever hit me as hard as that
before"
"I'll hit you damned sight harder.
with the butt of this pistol. If you
try to get up" said Mahony bluntly.
The Irishman raised a protesting
hand.
BE aisy." he said. "You can keep
the money. know"
He was interrupted by a knocking
on the front door below. Mahony
turned swiftly to the window and
looked ont. "A car was drawn up in
front Of the house. and by 1t was
standing a uniformed policeman:
another was standing a few yards
away down the street. Both of them
were looking at the house.
Hell! The Police!" exclaimed
Mahony.
whats that?" exclaimed the
Irishman.
With an effort he staggered to his
feet. and looked round him. The
smile had left his lips: his expires.
sion was that of hunted man.
at will be me they're AFTER" he
went on. Some dirty traitor must
have seen me come here and given
them the wire. Get me out Of this.
mister-you will get me out of 1t.
won't you? Sure. man like you.
fightin' man. wouldn't see a poor
devil Of fellow sent to jail without
stirring finger"
81 don't know the blasted way out
myself: | don't want to be caught
here any more than you do" re-
piled Mahony. From what I can
see, the place is surrounded. 1t will
be no good going downstairs: I'm
Igpi1G4o Try .ply luck upwards. You
can come IL you like"
(s sImlwith yaustsaid the Irishman.
He reached out his hand, lifted
the .whiskysfroin the table. and took
a mighty swig.
nsfAha heo lsaids taking a deep
breath. Now l feel like a man
again" itIvv .@rc
They left the room swiftly and
ran up the dark, narrow staircase.
From down below came a sound of
loud thudding on the front door. The
police were no longer content with
knocking: they were breaking in.
AT the top Of the stairs was a
small landing. And in the middle of
it narrow wooden ladder leading
up to trapdoor in the fat roof of
the house. Mahony ran up the lad.
der. To his dismay the trapdoor
was securely locked with a paddock.
From down below came a loud
crash as the front door burst open.
Mahony seized the paddock and gave
it wrench. But 1t was a good
strong lock and securely fixed: 1t
did not move.
Copyright. 1885. Hugh clepelyJ