Five Cent Wide Awake Library (vol. 2) (1897 07 09)
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The next moment the valuable paper, which was the pod, was thrust into his bosom. t paper ig more valuable to me than to you, friend Benson,” aq) lendly. “T'll take charge of that bond, for with it I intend : ive Shark a sure wind up. Have you anything to say?” CHAPTER VII. THE STRUGGLE IN THE OFFICE. So quickly bad all this occurred that Benson was hardly able to comprehend the situation. ; When he did his first startled impression was sueceedea by alarm H and most thorough discomfiture. It was some time before he was * able to speak. Then he said huskily: t “Jim Blivens! You Here!” Tt’s your old friend,” rejoined Blivens, coolly. the looks of me? Don’t seem very glad to see me!” ** Give me that paper.” ‘© What for?” ©} want it.” «Sorry, but I can’t oblige you.” “Jt is mine. Give it to me.” “Not much.” Benson’s face was purple with hate and rage, panting breath.” “Give me that paper,” he cried huskily. Plivens, I will kill you.” The villain seemed in deadly earnest. He kicked the door shut and drew a murderous-looking knife from his bosom. He stood between the door and Biivens. He was much Aeavier and seemingly Blivens was no match for him. Tt Was @ situation of most thrillirg sort, and it seemed for a moment as though a tragedy was about to be enacted upon the spot. “Now will you give me that paper?” hissed Benson. ‘If you do hot you will die.” Blivens stood for a moment gazing intently at his former pal but how deadly eneray. He spoke coolly and without fear. % Jake Benson, if you don’t put up that knife and stand from that ‘oor, I will see that you are on the scaffold inside of a year. You kkuow well enough that I know that which will hang you. You don’t “want to cross me, Benson. I always thought you was a dirty dog. 1 tess if. to be a fact now.” r Benson was deadly pale, and he trembled like a jeat. “i want that paper,” he said. ‘It’s of no use to you.” "T's of more use to me than to you,” declared Blivens. ‘It will Help me 10 free poor Moses Codman. Oh, you'needn’t sneer, Benson, Tye turned overa new leaf. I’ve got sick of always being on the wrong side.” The surprise of Benson was beyond expression. Blivens. What!” he exclaimed, ‘‘ then you mean to show your hand, do you, Jim Bliyens? You ure guing to turn on us?” « Yes, [show my hand. Why do I do it? My life depends upon it. ’ When you and the Shark plan to put me out of the way, I'd be a fool : fot to meet you wich a good counter game, wouldn’t I? Oh, you : needn't start; Jake Benson. I know all about ‘t. You thought \to 1 get rid of me; but you haven't yet, nor you never will, my fine bird. Ha, ha! I’m on to your dirty tricks. It was an evil day for you when you turned upon me.” Benson's face was contorted with mingled surprise and hate. Saw that he was exposed. > “You were a traitor,” he declared. aan ‘Tt’s a cas of soon versus quick. I was too quick for you. That gives me the-upper grip. But there is one thing that will save you. I _ Will give you one chance.” / “What is that?” asked Benson, ironically. ge be That you will leave this country, and you and Shark Anderson will ae “doth leave behind you a sworn confession clearing Moses Codman. This 18 fairl”, _ “Your cheek is only exceeded by your cowardice,” det Yes, Jim Blivens, it’s a game jof lifé and wot us he is to go out of arene ak. or. better cha ‘How do you like He drew a deep “if you do not, Jim He gazed hord at He “You meant to go back on Benson squared his: prodigious shoulders and. slenches the knife in his hand. “His attitude was murderous. Blivens regarded him a moment cautiously, but without fear. * "J haye no knife, Benson,” he said, calmly.” “ae have the ad~ vantage of me.” . ; “Phat is your misfortune,” said the brute, with a savage grin. ‘* There is no honor in you,” declared Blivens. ‘ But your taking of my life will give you the hangman’s noose, for I could throw open this window and shout for police.” “‘T thought you was a coward!” sneered Benson. ‘Throw away your knife and try a fair fight, and I will refraim from ¢ealling help.” “Not much!” gritted the murderous ru ffian. Jim Blivens. Stand up and take your deserts.” ‘““T know my gaine, There was a steely glitter in Blivens’ eyes as he retreated a step and watched his antagonist warily. tunity of opening the window. The next moment one of the most terrible struggles between mam and man ever placed on record took place in the office of Lawyer Am- derson. Both men were strong and fought for life. But Blivens had not the motive of murder in his heart. only of disarming his opponent. At the first collision Benson made a savage blow at Blivens with the knife. It happily missed its mark, and as his. wrist was lifted Blivens. caught it in an iron grip. Round and round swang the two powerful men in that deadly strog- gle. It was strange that its sounds were not heard and did not bring other people to the office. But nobody came, and there consequently was no witness to the awful fight. The desk was overturned, chairs were demolished and the floor wag streaked with blood. Now the vantage lay with one, then with te other. They puffed and panted furiously with eaertion. The seconds pase ed into minutes, and the minutes into half an hour. Then when pone and sinews seemed to have reached its limit of endurance a ‘a gave the victory to Blivens. He had succeeded‘in getting a back grip on Bensen, and with = tremendous eflort threw him heavily upon the floor. The knife point was driven into the floor where it broke and was wrenched from Bee- son’s hand. Blivens held his foe down with a vise like grip. The villain was um= able to move. And then with flushed faces ané panting breath, the two men gazed into each others eyes savagely and with hatred. é ‘¢ Who is the best man now, Jake Benson?” growled Blivens, ‘* What have you to say to this? In spite of your knife, eh?” ‘« Curse you,” gritted Benson. “ Spare your vile curses.” « You will take my life?” Blivens drew a deep breath and then slightly relaxed his hold upon. the other’s throat. He shook his bead lke a bull dog. “No, Jim Blivens has been a rough man in his life, buf he never’ He did not avail himself of theoppat= yet reddened bis hands with blood. That is for such ag you, Jake’ Benson. No, I ain’t going to kill you, but I want you to do ome thing for me.” ‘* Well,” growled Benson, ‘‘ what is ‘ita ‘Mind you, if you don’t do it and yougo back on me, I will kill you. You cannot get away from me. The world is not so wide! but that f will find you.” Benson shivered and said: “ Well, what is it, Jim? You've got the upper hand, Iknow. Jest tell me what it is and I'll give my word to do it.” “That's business. Our kind of a man may steal and even kill, bat he keeps his word, Jake.” “That's right.” “Well, now I'll tell ye what it is. “What. trial?” : “«Eh? why, I’m going to have Shark Anderson hauled over the coals, and I’m going to bring Moses Codman back to his family. The shark never was any good) friend of ours. When the trial comes off——* and swear him black and blue. That‘s what Lwant of you. If yow voit, P I ie tolerable SF 7 ag to ye, and yell. need friend sowy * "i “( ‘ git “ay , 3 fii ka He thought Now we ean right that man's. wrongs. Wesaw old Anderson forge that bond and we can go ap
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