Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-05-15

around the table, and drew his uppo
nent, almost unresisting, back to the
window.
"Jack!" he called.
At the sound of his voice the old
man gathered his last vitality In =
tremendous effort to jerk loose from
his captor Catching Darrow un-
awares, he almost succeeded in get
ting free. The hash was too brief.
He managed only to rap the young
mans head rather sharply against a
shade-ntting of the window.
The outer door 1erked open. and
Jack Warford leaped into the room.
revolver in hand. Darrow called an
instant warning.
"All right" he shouted. Turn on
the light, next you somewhere. Shut
the door,"
These orders were obeyed. The
electric nared. By its light the ONCE
was seen to be quite empty save for
cabinet full of books and papers; rows
and rows of battery Jars; the receiv-
ing and sending apparatus of wire
less outnt; the deal table. and one
wooden chair. Darrow looked around
keenly.
THAT'S all right, Jack" said he.
"Just get around here cautiously and
raise the window shade. Look out you
don't get near the table. That's 1t.
Now Just help me get this man little
away from the table. Good! Now.
tie him up. No. bring the chair. Tie
him in that chair Gently. That's all
right Whew!"
You're hurt" said Jack.
Darrow touched his forehead.
"A bump" he said briefly. well.
Jack. my son. we've done i'll"
"You don't mean to say" cried
Jack.
Darrow nodded.
Nov. my friend" he addressed the
huddled figure in the chair. "the
game Is up. You are caught. and you
must realize It." He surveyed the cap
tive thoughtfully Tell me. who are
your" he added. II should know you.
for you are a great discoverer."
The old man stared straight at his
interlocutor with his expressionless
eyes, behind which no soul, no mind.
no vitality even seemed to lie.
Darrow as,.ed him several more
questions. to which he received no re-
plies. The man sat like a captured
beast.
I'm sorry." said Darrow to jack.
81 should like to have talked with him.
delved deep"
Hell talk yet, when he gets over
his CROUCH" Jack surmised.
But Darrow shook his head.
The man is imbecile." he said. "He
has been mentally unbalanced; and
his disorder has grown on him lately.
When l drove back his wrist just now
the cord snapped in his BRAIN"
Jack turned to stare at the captive.
by Jove; l believe you're right"
said he at last.
Darrow was standing looking down
on the deal table.
Come here, Jack" said he. II want
you to look at the deadliest engine Of
destruction ever invented or welded
by mortal man. l suspect that II
you were to reach out your hand and
hold down the innocent-looking tele-
graph key there you would instantly
destroy every living creature In this
CITY,"
Jack turned little pale. and put
both hands behind him.
Darrow laughed. Feel tempted?"
he inquired.
Makes me feel little dizzy. like
being on height" confessed Jack.
"How's the trick turned?"
81 don't know" said Darrow. I'm
going to find out il can"
Without attempting to touch any
anything. he proceeded to examine
carefully every detail of the appara-
tus.
1.-The batteries are nothing extraor-
dinary. except in strength" he told
Jack, land as near as l can make out
the instrument is like any other. 1t
must be some notifications in the
sending apparatus. some system OF
tuning perhaps-it's only surmise.
Well Just disconnect the batteries"
he concluded. before we go to mon
keytng."
<-@ .r, rONy-rN-ryEr,