The age-herald., 1901-11-03

aged cannot say, but I am convinced now that the people he has called to- gether are to be killed in the explosion"
 1 saw that words carried conviction, for Major Clair grew white as death.
 If that is what you think. and you know where the electric station Is, for Gods sake go at once and shoot that Schlich down like dog" he cried He has only to touch button attached to the instrument and the magazine will be blown into atoms Go!-there Is no time to explain matters to anyone else. will follow you as soon as can, but must go to The Films first"
 I did not wait for another word. I had flung myself on Black Bess and we were galloping down the road before 1 had re- covered from my consternation. Shall ever forget that ride? No one who has not raced with death for the lives of men will understand what I felt. Should I be in time? 1 looked up at the brilliant sky. where the pitiless sun beat down on my head till l reeled In my saddle and the earth swan before my eyes, and I prayed as l had never prayed In all my life be- fore though not word passed my lips.
 I was half blind and choked with dust, and in dream l heard a voice-so hoarse and strained that I could not have rec ognized 1t for my own-encouraging my brave little mare. urging her on to even greater speed. I seemed to be rushing through the air. Objects fell away from me before l could realize them. Fortu- nately it was a quiet country road or there must have been an abrupt termina- ton to such mad ride. 1 conscious of but one thought-one feeling; that my re- volver was ready to my hand in my sad de pocket and that Terah Schlich was waiting in that little house in the wood to touch the deadly button
 At last, after what seemed an eternity, though it was really an incredibly short space of time-I reached The Films, flew past it, and rushed on to the Grey House. All the time 1 had been listening for the roar of an explosion, but though there was a loud singing in my ears. which half deafened me. knew the fatal mo- ment had not yet arrived. There was still time. Quieting my mare down lit- tie brought her round to the spot where l had entered the grounds of the Grey House the first night, then taking my re- volver in my hand l made my way to the building in the, wood. I staggered as I went, half feeling my way, cutting my face against the branches of the trees. bruising my hands. The moss deadened the sound of my footsteps, but had no fear; the fateful moment found me ready for anything. ts-s
 The door of the hut was a1ar. and I pushed 1t open. Terah Schlich was stand ing before a curious looking instrument one hand half stretched out to touch 1t, the other holding watch As he raised his eyes I covered him with my revolver. His hand went out to the instrument, and I fired. He sprang towards me. reeled half way, and fell like a log to the ground. For a moment l listened with suspended breath, wondering whether I had been In time; but not sound smote the hot still air. Then with a murmur. Thank God!" I staggered outside and sank half unconscious on the grass.
 There Major Clair found me half an hour later, leaning against the shed. for 1 was beyond feeling any fear of what was inside. He looked white and ghastly, and his voice shook as he told me what had happened at The Films. Professor Bordman had contrived to shut up his party of guests-who were all men of in- fuence and position-in the powder mag azine, where they would inevitably have been blown to pieces had I been few minutes later.
 When Major Clair went inside the hut he made curious discovery. The man had shot down was not Schlich at all. but made up to resemble him perfectly according to his last photograph. This was done, no doubt, with the object of distracting attention from the real Terah schlich. who was none other than the so-called Professor Bordman!A
 Sir Edward was pleased to commend me highly q felt that half the credit was due to Black Bess), but something was lacking to my satisfaction, for Schlich made good his escape in the balloon. His accomplice of the Grey House. however. when he had recovered from his wound, spent considerable time in retirement at his country's expense.