The Iola register., 1901-12-27

suddenly turning toward the office.
mot by jugful," rejoined Lafarge.
"I don't turn this sort of thing over to
another man. That's not like me at
ALL"
Hale was within the Office by this
time. and he reached the deck first.
Wallace, upon the threshold. saw the
two men in friendly struggle for this
extraordinary prize.
Hold ony' he cried. "Be careful!
The thing has clockwork In 1t. 1t was
ticking when l 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.
ut 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 ne neard as he walked away
from the door.
There's no way to get in there" said
Lafarge. Il suppose l might as well
attend to these things"
With a hasty hand he wrapped the
various small packages into one big
bundle, and as he completed this labor
the bent form of old Tom McGrath, for
many years "handy man. for the
health department, appeared in the
doorway.
"What's this l hear about dinnymite
bumbs?" said he. rs that what you'd
be wantin' me TO carry up town"
"The dinnymte' 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 If they were
nitrogIycerin, 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 a 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 a considerable pause.
ITS all right" cried Hale, approach
ing the door. "There's nothing in it eX-
cept some sort of machinery; no eX-
plosive whatever"
He admitted the two men, Lafarge
ahead, ana Wallace hanging back bit,
despite Hale's assurance.
on a marble slab beside n sink full
OF water stood the Internal machine.
Hale had given it n thorough soaking
and had then wrenched off the bottom
of it. for one does well not to open these
mysterious packages IN the way that
would be most natural.
1t was n box of n 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 it over.
Jerusalem the goldenw he exclaim.
ed. "This is my Christmas present to
Grace Malloryw
Hale put a hand on Lafarge's shoul-
der and turned him half round, staring
into his face, speechless, and with the
look of one who has been stabbed.
ITS a music box" continued La
farge, with awesome calmness. 81
bought II 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 send that
bundle"
Saints of paradise" yelled Lafarge.
81 have sent that internal machine to
the Mallorys?'
Breaking away from the others, he
ran into the Office. A glance dispelled
any possible doubt Beyond question
he had put the bomb with the presents
and had delivered it to McGrath.
I'VE must catch himw cried Hale,
dashing his hand against his dripping
forehead. "Oh, isn't this Jim Hale all
over? Wasn't l born into the world for
itY
"You did 1t for me, jim" said La
farge. you were in hurry because
you didn't want me to get hurt And
the mistake was natural. There were
half dozen of those bundles that look
ed just alike"
He spoke with consideration and a
frlendliness that disguised his feeling.
In reality he was so nervous that he
could not find his hat and overcoat.
Wallace handed them to him.
"You didn't tell me where that thing
had gone" he said. "You mentioned a
name, but
"I've sent 1t to the woman love-" re-
sponded Lafarge.
"Never mind" said the district attor-
ney soothingly. Probably it will go off
before 1t gets to her. Let us hope So
though that's little rough on old Nc
Grath."
"Have your friends a telephoneY p
asked Hale.
"Now groaned Lafarge. 1--WE must
depend upon our speed"