ouble coming, and I came home and made ready
for it. I guessed I'd fight through it all right on my own, my luck was
a proverb in the States about '76. I never doubted that it would be
with me still.

"I was on my guard all that next day, and never went out into the park.
It's as well, or he'd have had the drop on me with that buckshot gun of
his before ever I could draw on him. After the bridge was up--my mind
was always more restful when that bridge was up in the evenings--I put
the thing clear out of my head. I never dreamed of his getting into the
house and waiting for me. But when I made my round in my dressing gown,
as was my habit, I had no sooner entered the study than I scented
danger. I guess when a man has had dangers in his life--and I've had
more than most in my time--there is a kind of sixth sense that waves
the red flag. I saw the signal clear enough, and yet I couldn't tell
you why. Next instant I spotted a boot under the window curtain, and
then I saw why plain enough.

"I'd just the one candle that was in my hand; but there was a good
light from the hall lamp through the open door. I put down the candle
and jumped for a hammer that I'd left on the mantel. At the same moment
he sprang at me. I saw the glint of a knife, and I lashed at him with
the hammer. I got him somewhere; for the knife tinkled down on the
floor. He dodged round the table as quick as an eel, and a moment later
he'd got his gun from under his coat. I heard him cock it; but I had
got hold of it before he could fire. I had it by the barrel, and we
wrestled for it all ends up for a minute or more. It was death to the
man that lost his grip.

"He never lost his grip; but he got it butt downward for a moment too
long. Maybe it was I that pulled the trigger. Maybe we just jolted it
off between us. Anyhow, he got both barrels in the face, and there I
was, staring down at all that was left of Ted Baldwin. I'd recognized
him in the township, and again when he sprang for me; but his own
mother wouldn't recognize him as I saw him then. I'm used to rough
work; but I fairly turned sick at the sight of him.

"I was hanging on the side of the table when Barker came hurrying down.
I heard my wife coming, and I ran to the door and stopped her. It was
no sight for a woman. I promised I'd come to her soon. I said a word or
two to Barker--he took it all in at a glance--and we waited for the
rest to come along. But there was no sign of them. Then we u