CHAPTER XII.
A FIGHT.
"All ready now," called Chester in a hoarse whisper. "Here comessome one."
The others made no reply, but stood silently waiting.
The footsteps paused just outside the door.
"What's the matter in there?" asked a voice.
Chester made no reply; instead, he raised his voice in anotherblood-curdling shout.
The man outside wasted no more time in parley. Evidently he believedthere was something serious the matter within. A key grated in the lockand the door swung inward.
Chester held himself tense--ready to spring upon the man the moment heshould come within reach. Just inside the door the man paused and againsought to determine the cause of the commotion.
"What on earth is the matter in here?" he demanded loudly.
Seeking to help matters along, Hal gave vent to a sepulchral groan.
"Somebody must be sick," muttered the man to himself, and advanced intothe room, casting discretion to the winds. One, two, three forward stepshe took, and then whirled suddenly as Chester's hands closed about histhroat from behind.
Now the Austrian was a big man, and in spite of Chester's strength, thelad realized in a moment that he was no match for his opponent.
"Quick, Hal, while I am able to hold him," he panted.
Hal wasted no time in words, for he realized it was time for action. Hesprang from his place of concealment and darted toward the door, callingover his shoulder to Uncle John:
"Lend Chester a hand!"
But even as Hal would have darted through the door, the Austriansucceeded in freeing himself of Chester's hold, and hurling the lad fromhim with a swift backward kick, he turned just in time to encounter Hal.
Hal's right fist shot out sharply, and the Austrian staggered back as theblow caught him upon the point of the chin. But the blow had beendelivered too quickly to have the desired effect, and the Austrianrecovered himself in a moment, and, crouching low, advanced upon Hal. Atthe same time he raised his voice in a call for help.
"We'll have to dispose of this fellow pretty quick or it's all off," saidHal to the others. "Jump him from behind, Chester, while I keep himoccupied here."
Chester needed no urging. He stepped aside quickly, and then jumpedbehind the Austrian, before the latter had time to back into a corner,had such been his intention. Uncle John circled about a bit and moved onhim from the other side.
The Austrian took a quick look at his foes, threatening him from threesides. He realized he was no match for all, and his thoughts turned toescape. There was just one way by which he could get away--through thedoor by which he had entered the room--and this would give the prisonersa chance to make a break for liberty.
Hal struck out savagely with his right fist, and the Austrian hesitatedno longer. With a quick backward leap, he passed from the room, making noeffort to close the door behind him.
"After him!" cried Hal, also jumping forward.
The Austrian turned and took to his heels, and Hal, Chester and UncleJohn gave chase. Down the hall ran the man, with Hal but a few pacesbehind him.
And then, suddenly, the Austrian turned in his tracks. Hal was quiteunprepared for this maneuver, and before he could check himself, he hadbumped squarely into his opponent, who seized him in close embrace. Theman's hands closed about the boy's throat, and Hal gasped for breath.
Chester and Uncle John, seeing Hal's predicament, charged forward with ashout; and then the reason that the Austrian had turned to give battlebecame apparent.
A second and a third figure stepped around the two who were struggling inthe center of the hall, and faced Uncle John and Chester. One held adrawn revolver and the other was in the act of drawing a weapon.
It was no time to hesitate, and Chester realized it.
"Come on!" he cried, and leaped forward.
There came a flash and a loud report; but Chester was unwounded. He hadstooped at the moment the man's hand pressed the trigger, and now came upbeneath the other's guard. Before the latter could fire again, Chesterdrove him back with a hard right-handed blow to the jaw. The man uttereda low imprecation and at that instant Chester's left fist reached hisopponent's stomach. The latter doubled up like a knife, and his revolverfell to the floor with a clatter.
Chester stooped quickly and his hand found the weapon. As he straightenedup again, his eyes unconsciously took in the scene about him. He saw Halmake a last futile effort to free himself from the grasp of the firstAustrian, and then fall to the floor with the man on top of him; and hesaw Uncle John crumple up as a flash of flame came from the revolver ofthe third Austrian.
Chester gave a cry, and turning his newly acquired weapon in thedirection of the man who had just fired at Uncle John, he pulled thetrigger almost without taking aim. There came a cry, and the latter threwup his arms and fell to the floor. At the same moment the first Austrianrose from above Hal's prostrate form, and his revolver and Chester'sspoke simultaneously. Chester felt a sharp tinge in his left arm andrealized that he was not seriously hurt. He dropped quickly to the floor,even as the Austrian's revolver spoke again.
A bullet whizzed over his head. Chester now took deliberate aim andfired. The Austrian's weapon fell to the floor with a clatter, the manhimself staggered and tried to retain his feet. He reeled forward towardChester and then, just as the boy would have pressed the trigger again,collapsed almost at the lad's feet.
"I guess that settles the whole lot of you," Chester muttered to himself.
He ran quickly to where Hal lay and raised his chum's head to his knee.Hal made no move. Chester laid his hand over Hal's heart, and drew abreath of relief as he felt a faint beating. He stroked his friend'shead, and rubbed his hands, and presently was rewarded by a sigh ofreturning consciousness.
Then Hal opened his eyes.
"Wow! A terrible dream I just had, Chester," he said.
Chester smiled in spite of himself.
"It came almost being your last dream," he replied quietly.
Without waiting for a reply, he laid Hal gently down again and hurried toUncle John. The latter raised himself on one elbow even as Chester bentdown beside him.
"Careless of me to get in the way of a bullet like that," he said with afaint smile. "I'll know better next time."
"Where are you hit, sir?" asked Chester anxiously.
"Caught me in the left side, some place," replied Uncle John, and withChester's aid, got to his feet.
Chester made a quick examination.
"Lucky, sir. Just a flesh wound," he said. "I'll have it fixed upin a jiffy."
Making a bandage of his handkerchief, he soon had the wound tied up aswell as could be done under the circumstances. Then the lad lent Hal ahand as the latter staggered to his feet.
"How do you feel?" asked Chester.
"Well, I don't feel very chipper, and that's a fact," replied Hal with agrimace. "That fellow had powerfully strong fingers."
"I guess we are lucky at that," remarked Chester.
"Lucky?" exclaimed Uncle John. "I'd like to know how you make that out,and me with a bullet hole in my side."
"Why," Chester explained, "the best we figured on was for one of us toget away, and now we are all at liberty."
"Perhaps we are," said Uncle John dryly. "I'll feel a whole lot saferwhen I once get outside of this house."
"Then we had better be moving," said Hal. "Come on."
He led the way to the end of the hall and into the room beyond.
"I guess we can get out this way," he said.
He examined a window at the far end of the room.
"Quite a drop down there," he said, "but I guess it can be done."
Chester and Uncle John also surveyed the distance to the ground.
"It's got to be done," said Uncle John. "I'll go first, if youdon't mind."
"Go ahead, sir," said Hal.
Uncle John climbed to the sill, and then lowered himself until he hung byhis hands.
"Here
I go," he said.
He dropped.
"He's safe enough," said Chester, peering down, as Uncle John got to hisfeet and brushed himself off. "You next, Hal."
Hal climbed into the sill, lowered himself and dropped.
"All right," he called up to Chester.
Chester climbed to the sill.
"Here I come," he called; and just as he was about to lower himself afigure dashed suddenly into the room and seized him by the leg.
Chester gave vent to a cry of vexation.
"Hey," he called to Hal and Uncle John, "one of the big Austrians hasgrabbed me by the leg."
"Kick him in the face," cried Hal, dancing excitedly about, and makingvain attempts to jump up so he could reach the sill.
Chester attempted to follow Hal's advice, but it was no use. Slowly hewas dragged back through the window, and landed on the floor with a thud.When he was able to get to his feet, he faced a revolver held in a steadyhand. He was caught and he knew it.
"He's got me, Hal," he shouted. "Hurry! Never mind me! Give the warning!"
For a single moment Hal hesitated after hearing Chester's voice. Then hetook Uncle John by the arm.
"Chester is right," he muttered hoarsely. "Come on, sir, or we shall becaptured, too."
Uncle John seemed about to protest, but Hal led him down the street at arapid gait.
"What is one to many?" he asked.