Part 21 (1/2)

Jack had discovered a stick that was so an old and often tried trick known to frontiersmen away back in the Kentucky days of Daniel Boone, he meant to try it out in order to see if the aedthat was really essential he should know before proceeding to extre hi his leather cap with its dangling earlaps, he perched it on the point of his stick and proceeded to elevate the contrivance so that it ilant eyes within

The result was all that he could have asked, showing that this venerable Indian trick was just as workable as in the days of old

A single shot sounded dully within the shack--there was a tinkling sound as if a speeding bullet had bored a hole through a pane of glass and down fell his helmet Jack picked it up and chuckled to find he could poke an investigating finger through a hole that had certainly not been there before What great luck his head had not been inside that hel the wonderful accuracy of theas the half demented Kearns was able to make such excellent use of his firearm it would be suicide for either of the Jack had ed to discover with that brief peep back of the friendly bunch of orange leaves--there was a little heap of papers in the fireplace, also the precious book he yearned to possess--yes, and he could even h ato soone out--an especially providential favor in their behalf Jack had told himself

Still, at any moment now the man with the crooked mind was apt to notice how his purpose had been baffled Then he would make a second and possiblyevidence as to his connection with the s of rum, aliens and precious stones into the country, contrary to the laws of the land

What could he do should this crisis co hi by? There was only onesuch a move on the part of the enemy and Jack had already convinced himself the occasion was fully ripe for it to be tried out

On a previous occasion the saain? Desperate cases require desperate reroped in his pocket and extracted sohtly clinched while he again e leaves across the lower part of the ithout extracting a shot frouardian of the shack

Then he nerved himself to take a look and received a shock for he was just in ti a match which he hastened to apply to the cru there was not a second to waste, Jack proceeded to hurl the tear-bolass, so as to strike against the stone chi its powerful contents that would alers held the burning match

CHAPTER xxx

FETCHING IN THEIR MAN

There was now no further need for caution

Jack saw the un and throw both hands up to his face--he was starting to rub his eyes as though they had already coent acid that would start the tears flowing in streams and render him temporarily blind before he could exercise his brain sufficiently to unbar the door and rush outside

But already that tiny blaze on the open hearth was increasing, and would presently gain such headway as to threaten the utter destruction of the precious papers that they had cocatastrophe

So Jack, always quick to act, with one s into the room He did not even stop to learn whether he had cut hiained a precarious knee-hold on the -sill and allowed hias contents which would of necessity act upon his eyes even as it already had done in the case of his intended prey

Across to the fireplace went Jack--he could never tell just how hedi to reel, but he knew that he started to sta like one possessed

Then he clutched the reeling ed him across to theand bundled him out with as little ceremony as if he had been a sack of oats

Blinded hi, Jackand drop down on top of the writhing figure on the ground

Here Perk found the soe went, must have taken place

”Jack--what's happened--are you bad hurt, buddy?” Perk deht--only had to use the tear-gas again--be better right off--don't let Kearns get away on your life!”