Hole-in-the-Wall Barrett

If this story were not fact it would not be written. It is too incredible
for fiction. The best proof of its reality is the very fact that it is
incredible, but if further proof is wanted it may be obtained from the
twelve good men and true who formed the jury at the trial of Harry
McCurtney. If they will not do, certainly Judge Lorry is an unimpeachable
witness.

The story has to do with probably the oldest combination known to
stories--a hero, a villain, and a beautiful woman. The hero was young,
handsome, talented; the villain was middle-aged and rather stout, and
smoked big black cigars; the beautiful woman was very beautiful.

Whatever the reader may think, this is not a motion-picture scenario.
However, it sounds so much like one that it might as well start in the
movie way.

The camera, therefore, opens on a close-up of the middle-aged villain. As
the round spot of light widens, everyone can see that the man is a
villain. The way he chews that long black cigar, for instance, emitting
slow; luxurious puffs, is sufficient proof.

No one but a villain really enjoys good tobacco; but to pile Pelion on
Ossa, there are other proofs--lots of them. He has a square, bulging jaw,
a straight-lipped, cruel mouth, a great hawk nose, and keen eyes buried
under the overhanging shelter of shaggy brows. He is frowning in his
villainous way and looking down.

The spot of light widens still further and includes the beautiful woman.
She is very, very beautiful; a black-haired type with questioning, dark
eyes. She is dressed in black, too, filmy over the arms, so that the rose
tint of flesh shines through. She reclines in an easy chair with her head
pillowed gracefully and canted somewhat to one side, while she studies
the villain and defies him.

One notices her slender-fingered hand drooping from the arm of the chair,
and compares it with the big fist of the villain, wondering how she can
have the courage to defy him. She seems to know all about him. Well, she
ought to. She is his wife.