The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-03-05

clamped an odd instrument which
was lifted from the floor From this
strange tool heavy stick Of carbon
protruded The two wires stretched
away 10 the street and were soldered
to an electric power wire Of high
voltage. All preparations being com
plete. the figure pressed the carbon
point against the safe door. Instantly
there was binding blaze OF light.
At this moment = second figure.
cloaked from crown 10 toe. fitted
across the room and back again. The
fierce light continued, the cleaning
carbon melting its way into the iron
door much as II the barrier were made
Of cheese. In q brief space the
gloved hands thrust in small bar
through the opening. pried back the
bolts, opened the door. and drew forth
the dazzling hoard of gems and
gold.
When the day broke again the wires,
the strange tool, the gliding figures
and the treasure were gone like things
dissolved In darkpess.
Al eight O'Clock that morning
Joe. the mulatto serving man. en-
tered Capt. Coply's room with q tray
Of food. He looked and fed. calling
for help. A moment later Almar en-
tered the apartment. His face flashed
white with horror and he fell upon his
knees by the bed and cried aloud.
Suddenly he rose and ran to the clock
Opening q panel at the side, he drew
out belt Of little plates. and. fitting
these into a small case. which he took
from a drawer. called Joe TO his SIDE
Run with these 10 Warden. the pho
tographer. just round the corner.
Tell him what has happened. Ask
him TO instantly develop these and
bring them here. For Gods sake, fiy!"
The mulatto rushed out Almar
looked at the ,rined safe and again at
his father, then he turned and STUN
bled down the stair into the sitting.
room. Weak and sick, he paced back
and forth. Twenty minutes later DR..
carlo came leisurely In TO give Capt.
COPY his morning treatment He ex.
pressed unstinted amaxement and hor-
ror at what. he found. As he and Al.
mar talked, Joe returned, GREATNESS
and bearing the empty jewel box. He
had found II In the shrubbery. Plac-
Ing II on the table. he turned to go,
when carlo sterniy commanded him to
remain.
why did you kill Capt. Coply?.. he
demanded.
The mulatto started back In aston
ishment. carlo leaned forward and
bent an indescribable look upon the
trembling man. His eyes had the
round. hard. fierce intenseness OF the
eagles. The serving man shrank and
quivered. but gazed into Zario's eyes
as II fascinated. He drew slightly
nearer, yet with the look of one strug.
Cling to escape the clutch OF an In
visible power.
why did you kill Capt. Coply."
again demanded the doctor, In graf.
ing, measured tones.
A strange. half-demented expression
crept into the mulattos face and eyes.
He stood painting; his dry lips moved.
Il killed him for his money. sah."
he gasped In dry. metallic voice.
Almar stared in utter bewilderment.
Now, make full confession" said
carlo. fixing the poor fellow more
surely with his satanic gaze.
The serving mans ashen lips began
to move with words that would sure.
~ cost him his life. when suddenly
Warden. the photographer. with two
officers, burst into the room. Arrest
this mani" cried Warden, and the of.
ficers laid hold on carlo.
With fine composure and scorn
the doctor demanded the reason for
his arrest. Warden stepped to the
window and held the little belt of
negatives against the light. Almar In
voluntarily cried out and carlo stag
gered back. clutching at the air. There
he saw himself. dimly In some. but
plainly In others. photographed In nu-
merous attitudes. as he looted Capt.
Coply's safe. Across two OF the pic.
lures q figure fitted cloaked from
crown to toe.
After days OF weakness and curious
stupor Joe returned to his innocent
normal self.
Two months later. and Just before
he was executed. carlo told them
where the bags of gold were secreted.
but of the gems and the strange wom-
an he would tell nothing. These went,
as they came. shrouded In mystery.