Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-12-25

partment without monkeyfng with your
dynamite bombsT
"lf you feel any hesitancy about
touching it, began Wallace. But La
farge Interrupted him.
I'm not afraid OF 1t, IL that's what
you mean," said he. eff you think I.
am, just watch me-"
'Thank you," responded Wallace. 'I
think I'll just run down to my office,
and-and you can make your report to
me there"
"You may hear my report before you
see It," laughed Lafarge. "You know,
my friend" he added, more seriously,
'that, while ninety-nine of these things
are as harmless as children's toys, the
hundredth one Is loaded to the muzzle."
"I'll take care of this one," said Hale,
suddenly turning toward the office.
"Not by jugful," rejoined Lafarge.
II don't turn this sort of thing over to
another man. That's not like me ct
ALL"
Hale was within tho Office by this
time, and he reached the desk drst.
| Wallace, upon the threshold, saw the
two men in a friendly struggle for this
extraordinary prize.
Hold onr' he cried. "Be careful!
The thing has clockwork In 1t. 1t was
ticking when brought 1t in. You'll
set 1t off,"
At that moment Hale sprang away
from the desk. pushing Lafarge back.
He ran to the laboratory door, where
he stood an instant with the package
held close to his ear.
'It has stopped ticking" he said.
"I'm not afraid of It,"
| He lodged into the laboratory as La
farge advanced and locked the door be-
hind him.
Lafarge begged and threatened, but
Hale was obdurate. His heavy tread
could be heard as he walked away
from the door.
There's no way to get in there" said
Lafarge. II suppose I might as well
attend to these things"
With hasty hand he wrapped the
various small packages into one big
bundle, and ms he completed this labor
the bent form of old Tom McGrath, for
many years q "handy man" for the
health department. appeared In the
| doorway.
whats this hear about dinnymite
butlbs?" said he. "Is that what you'd
be wantin' me to carry up town.
1.-The 'dinnymite' is all in the labora-
tory" said Lafarge. "Dr. Hale Is play
ing with 1t. These things are to go to
the address on the paper, and you're to
be as careful Of them as IL they were
nitroglycerin, every ounce OF them"
The old man took the package with
great care, and Lafarge ran across to
the door OF the laboratory.
| "In just minute" called Hale In an
swer to his chiefs demand for admit
tance. 'I'm getting at the inside Of
this thing now. and"-
There was considerable pause.
"It's all right" cried Hale, approach
ing the door. "Tberes nothing In 1t ex.
| cept some sort of machinery; no ex-
ploslve whatever"
He admitted the two men, Lafarge
ahead. and Wallace hanging back q bit,
despite Hale's assurance.
| On marble slab beside q sink full
of water stood the Internal machine.
Hale had given 1t q thorough soaking
and had then wrenched off the bottom
of 1T, for one does well not to open these
mysterious packages In the way that
| Woulu De uOSt natural.
1t was box of handsome dark
wood, and within could be seen many
wheels and great spindle of curious
shape. Lafarge cast hastily glance at
this object. Then he turned 1t over.
Jerusalem the goldenr he exclaim-
ed. 'This Is my Christmas present to
Grace Malloryp
Hale put hand on Lafarge's shoul-
der and turned him half round, staring
! into his face, speechless, and with the
1 look of one who has been stabbed.
| ITS music box" continued La
farge, with awesome calmness. II
bought 1t In Germany last summer.
You must have got the wrong package
off my desk"
| Doctor" said Hale hoarsely, 'T'd
rather have been blown up"
! He was interrupted by the district
attorney. who at that moment stepped
between the two chemists.
] Doctor" said he, tapping Lafarge
on the breast, where did you aend that
| bundle2"
Saints of paradisep yelled Lafarge.
II have sent that Internal machine to
/ the Mallorysp
| breaking away from the others, he
ran into the Office. A glance dlspelIed
| any possible doubt. Beyond question
he had put the bomb with the presents
and had delivered 1t to McGrath.
1--WE must catch himp' cried Hale,
dashing his hand against his dipping
forehead. "oh. Isn't this Jim Hale oil.