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234 For the instant Franklin was startled. But as Montague Smith failed to exhibit any firearm he concluded that the man was merely trying to frighten him.

"You would not dare shoot me," he said. "The neighborhood would be aroused."

"Nonsense! the next house is fully five hundred feet away!"

"Not over two hundred. Besides, you forget that I have been here before, and—"

"Well?"

"Would it not be natural, after learning of Mrs. Bliss's situation, to summon assistance.

Montague Smith turned pale. The shot had struck home. A brief vision of policemen filing into the house and arresting him and Fipher crossed his mind. He sprang forward and hurled Franklin and the chair against the wall.

"I am not caught so easily!" he cried. "Fipher! Fipher! come up here, quick!"

Thrown up against the wall, Franklin was for a few seconds at a disadvantage. But he recovered, and then he and Montague Smith began to wrestle for the possession of the chair.

At length Franklin pushed the chair over his head, and, putting out his foot, he sent the part owner of the battery works on his back. Montague Smith's head struck the corner of a bureau, and he gave a cry of pain.