Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-10-16
BY Fred M. G)hHe
CHAPTER LII.
Putting the Light Out.

FUttlnS inc Vuts
Once the trio were in the operating
toom. Bell gave one rapid glance at
Heritage. But the latter seemed to
have forgotten all his fears. There
was an alert air about him; he was
quiet and steady There was some
thing of the JOY OF battle in his eyes.
Now. go and fetch Van Sneck in"
Bell said.
The patient came at length. Every
thing was made ready. Van Sneck MUIR
INJURED something and looked vaguely
about him, like man suddenly reused
from a deep sleep. But he obeyed
quite willingly when Bell commanded
him to get on the table. A moment or
two later and he was gone. under the
influence of the ether administered by
Bell.
A case of glittering instruments lay
on the table. The strong electric light
was switched on and hung just over
the head of the unconscious patient.
You hold the sponge" Bell whis-
pered to David. There will be very
little blood. l like to have man with
me who has GOODNESS and courage. Oh,
here is the spot. Feel the depression
of the skull, Heritage? That is where
the pressure lies. and no larger than
pea"
Heritage nodded without reply. He
took up a knife, there was flash of
steel in the brilliant light and sud-
den splash of blood. There was a
scrape, scrape, that jolted horribly on
David's nerves, followed by a conyuls-
i've movement of Van Snecks body.
Beautiful, beautiful" Heritage
murmured. How easily it comes
away!'
Bell was watching, in deep admira-
ton. of the strong hand that was yet
as light as thistledown. The big cleo
trio light flickered for just a moment,
and Heritage stood upright.
Don't be fool" Bell said. sternly.
tits a mere matter of current" Her
itage muttered that it must be. New
ertheless, it had given him quite a
turn. His face was set and pale and
his hand shook ever SO slightly. The
knife was cutting deep, deeper
a snarling oath burst from Bells
tips as the light f1ickered again and
popped out suddenly, leaving the whole
room in intense darkness. Heritage
cried aloud. David felt hand guild
ing his fingers to the patients head. =
Press the sponge down, and press
hard" Bell whispered. Its a matter
of life and death. Another minute and
Van Sneck would have gone. Herr
tage, Heritage, pull yourself together.
1T was no fault of yours the light went
out-the fault is mine
Bell stumbled down the kitchen
stairs and returned with candle. The
electric lights were out all over the
ground floor with the exception of the
hall. One Of the circuits had given out
completely, as sometimes happens
with the electric light Bell leaped on
table and turned the hall light out
A second later and he was dragging
the long spare fieX from the impromp-
tn operating room to the swinging cord
over the hall lamp. With knife he
cut the cord loose. he stripped the COP.
per wires beneath. and rapidly joined
one fleX to the other.
1t is amateur work, but I fancy il
will do" he muttered. Anyway, that
rascal is powerless to interfere with
the circuit that controls the hail light
Snap went the hall switch-1here
was sudden cry from Heritage as the
big lamp over the head Of Van Snecl,
flared up again. Bell raced into the
study and shut the door,
"A trick!'' he gasped. "The light
was put out. For heavens sake, Her
itage, don't get brooding over those
fancies of yours now. tell you, the
thing was done deliberately. Here, il
you are too feeble or weak, give the
knife to me-"
The request had sting in it. With
an effort Heritage pulled himself to
gether
NO." he said, firmly, "I'll do it, Il
was cruel, dastardly trick to play or
me, but l quite see now that it was {
trick. Only it's going to make mar
of me instead"
Bell nodded. His eyes were blaz
ing, but he said nothing. He watched
Heritage at work with stern approval
Nothing could be more scientific, more
skilful. 1t seemed long time to Da
,vid, looking on, but it was mere mat
ter of minutes.
Finished" Heritage said, with
triumphant thrill. And successful"
And another second would have
seen an end of our man." Bell said
+He's coming round again. Get thos.
bandages on, Heritage. I'll look afte
the mess. Give him the drug. wan
him to sleep for a good long time"
'Will he be sensible tomorrow
David asked.
'Ill pledge my reputation upon it,
Bell said. Hadn't you better tele
phone down to your electrician to com
and see to those lights? see the fus
in the meter is intanct; it is only O,
the one circuit that they have gone"
Van Sneck opened his eyes an,
stared languidly about him. In clear
weak. yet wholly sensible voice, h
asked where he was, and then lapset
into slumber. A little later and h
lay. snug and still, in. bed. There wa
look of the deepest pleasure in tn
eyes of Heritage.
1--we saved him and he's saved me.
he said. But it was touch and go 10
both of us when that light failed. Blu
for Bell l fancied that l should kav
tainted. And then it came to me tina
it was a trick, and my nerve re
turned"
Never to leave you again" Be
said 1T tried you high and foua