The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-06-01

keep her here. I'll be back-right
away-with car"
He dashed madly from the church,
pulling of his mask as he gained the
street.
Kennedy had forced the crook ahead
Of US into the car which was waiting,
and ! followed, taking the wheel this
time.
which way, now-quickl" demand
ed Craig. And If you get me In
wrong-I've got that tube yet-you re-
member"
Our crook started on with a whole
burst Of directions that rivaled the
motor guide through the town, fol-
lowing trolley tracks. jog right, jog
left under the railroad bridge, leaving
trolley tracks; at the cemetery turn
left stopping at the old stone church."
rs this it?' asked Craig incredu-
lousy.
"Yes-as I live." swore the crook
in .cowed voice.
He had gone to pieces. Kennedy
jumped from the machine.
Here, take this gun, Walter" he
said to me. Don't take your eyes of
the fellow-keep him covered"
Craig walked around the church, out
Of sight. until he came to a small
vestry window and looked In.
There was Elaine, sitting in a chair,
and near her stood an elderly-looking
man In clerical garb, which to Craig's
trained eye was quite evidently a dis
guise.
Elaine happened just then to glance
at the window and her eyes grew
wide with establishment at the sight
of Craig.
He made hasty motion to her to
make dash for the door. She nodded
quietly.
With glance at her guardian she
suddenly made rush.
He was at her in a moment, pounc-
ing on her. catlike.
Kennedy had seized an iron bar that
lay beside the window where some
workmen had been repairing the stone
pavement, and with a blow shattered
the glass and the sash.
At the sound of the smashing glass
the crook turned and with a mighty
effort threw Elaine aside, drawing his
revolver. AS he raised it, Elaine
sprang at him and frantically seized
his wrist.
Utterly merciless the man brought
the butt of the gun down with full
force on Elaine's head. Only her hat
and hair saved her, but she sank un-
conscious.
Then he turned at Craig and fred
twice.
One shot grazed Craig's hat, but the
other struck him in the shoulder and
Kennedy reeled.
With desperate effort he pulled
himself toward her and leaped forward
again, closing with the fellow and
wrenching the gun from him before
he could fire again.
Just then the man broke away and
made dash for the door leading back
/ into the church itself, with Kennedy
after him.
Up he went into the choir loft and
then into the belfry itself There they
came to sheer hand-to-hand struggle.
Kennedy tripped on loose board. and
would have fallen backwards If he had
not been able to recover himself just
in time. The crook, desperate, leaped
! for the ladder leading farther up into
the steeple.
Kennedy followed.
Elaine had recovered consciousness
almost Immediately, and, hearing the
commotion, stirred and started to rise
and look about
From the church she could hear
sounds of the struggle. She paused
Just long enough to seize the crooks
revolver lying on the floor.
She hurried into the church and up
into the belfry, thence up the ladder,
whence the sounds came.
! The crook by this time had gained
the outside of the steeple through an
opening. Kennedy was in close pur-
suit
On the top Of the steeple was a
great gilded cross, considerably larger
than q man. AS the crook clambered
outside, he scaled the steeple, using
lightning rod and some projecting
points to pull himself up. desperately.
Kennedy followed unhesitatingly.