The Dermott news., 1915-10-07
y. They answered and hurried % meet

! one or the messages that came from
below. She's coming over the hill
now in a car. We've got to blow up
the bridge as she crosses
The men were hurrying now toward
the bridge which they had mined Not
moment was to be lost. for already
they could see us coming over the
crest of the hill
In a few seconds they reached the
hidden plunger firing box which had
been arranged to explode the charge
under the bridge There they croushed
In the brush ready to press the plung-
er the moment our car touched the
/ planking.
One of the men crept out little
nearer the road. They're eoming!"
he called back, dropping down. again.
Get ready"
Del Mars emissaries had not reck-
oned. however, that anyone else might
be about to whom the Photograph was
an open book.
But farther up the hill. hiding
among the trees. the old farmer and
his dog were sitting quietly. The old
man was sweeping the Sound with his
glasses. as if he expected to see some
thing any moment.
To his surprise. however. he caught
flash Of the heliograph from tho
| land Quickly he turned and jotted
down the signals. AS he did so, he
seemed greatly excited, for the mes
sage read.
Dodge girl has message from be-
low Coming in car. Blow first bridge
she crosses
Quickly he turned his glasses down
the road There he could see our car
approaching lie put up his glasses
and hurried down the hill toward the
bridge Then he broke into a run.
the dog scouting ahead
We were going along the road nice
~. now. coasting down the hill. AS
We approached the bridge Elaine
slowed up a bit to cross. for the plank
iug VAS loose.
lust then the farmer who had been
running down the hill saw us.
Stop he shouted.
l}ut We did not hear. He ran after
Us. but the chase was hopeless. He
stoeped. in despair.
With gesture of vexation he took
step or two mechanically OF the
read
Elaine and l were coming fast to
tie bridge new
Ia their hiding place Del Mars men
were watching breathlessly. The lead
er MAS just ABOUT to press the plunger
when all Of sudden u branch in the
thicket beside Inn cracked There
stood the farmer and his dog.
Instantly the farmer seemed to take
IN the situation With cry he threw
himself at tho man who had the
plGueer. Another man leaped at the
farmer Tie deg settled him. The
Others piled in. and terrific struggle
followed 1t vas all so rapid that, to
all. seconds seemed like hours.
We were JUST starting to cross the
bridge.
one Of the men broke away and
eraHied toward the p.uuger box.
Cur car was now in the middle OF
the bridge
over and over rolled the men. the
doc doing his best TO help his master.
Tie man Who had broken away
reached toward tho plunger.
With a shout he pushed it down.
. Our car had just cleared the bridge
when We were startled by a terrific
roar behind US. 1t was as though .
j thousand tires had blown out at once.
! Elaine shut OF the engine automaticai-
Is and We looked back.
The whole bridge had been blown
s Up A second before we had been
IN the middle Of it.
As the explosion came. the men who
9 had been struggling in the thicket.
: paused, startled, and stared out At
that instant the old farmer saw his
calling the dog
! Along the road TO tAs bragg he
ran. two Of the mea after him.
Come back" growled the leader.
Let him so. Do you want US all TO
: get caught"
, As the farmer ran up to the bridge
he saw it in ruins. But down the
, road he could see Elaine and myself,
sitting in the ear, staring back at the
peril which We had so narrowly es-
! capped His face lighted up in as
great JOY as n few moments before 1t
had shown despair.
What can that have been?" asked
Elaine, starting to get out Of the car.
What caused it,"
I don't know" l returned. taking
her arm firmly. But enough has hap.
pened today 1t was intended for us.
we'd better hasten. Someone might
take a shot at US. Come. we have the
car We can get out before anyone
does anything more. Let's do It.
Things are going on about us OF which
we know nothing. The safest thing
is to get away"
Elaine looked at the bridge in ruins