Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-11-09

crawled along, looking for some way
OF getting into the house. But he
could not seem to find any. Carefully
he crawled to the edge of the roof
| and looked over. Below he could
hear sounds, but could make nothing
/ of them.
From his pocket he took the leather
case and opened it. There was pc
culiar arrangement, like some of the
collapsible arms on which telephone
| instruments are often fastened to a
desk or wall, capable of being col
lapsed into small space or of being ex-
tended for some distance. On the
thing was arranged a system of mir
rors, which the naturalist adjusted.
1t was pocket periscope.
He thrust the thing over the edge
of the roof and down, and looked
through it. Below, he could see into
the room from which came the pecu-
liar sounds.
He looked anxiously. There he could
see Elaine endeavoring still to loosen
the cords and unable to do SC. Only
for moment he looked. Then he
folded up the pocket periscope in the
case and showed it back into his peck
ct. Quickly he crossed the roof again
and slid down the rain-pipe.
At the door stood three of Del Mars
men waiting for Del Mar who had told
them he would follow Immediately.
Cd hx, ffr1A
reached the ground and was going
along carefully back to the house.
He drew his revolver and, pointing it
down, fired. Then he lodged back of
an extension and disappeared for the
moment.
Instantly the three men sprang up
and ran toward the spot where it
seemed the shot had been fired. There
was no one about the side of the
house. But the wind had carried the
smoke into some bushes beside the
grove, and they crashed into the
bushes, beating about.
At the same time, the naturalist,
having first waited until he saw which
way the men were going, dashed about
the house in the opposite direction.
Then he slipped, unopposed and unob-
served, in through the open front
door, up the stairs and along to the
room into which he had just been look
ing. He unlocked the door and en-
tered. Elaine was still struggling with
the cords when she caught sight of
the stranger.
mot a world" he cautioned under
his breath.
She was indeed too frightened to cry
out. Quickly he loosened her, still
holding his finger to his lips to enjoin
silence.
Follow mel" he whispered.
She obeyed mechanically, and then
went out into the hall. On downstairs
went the naturalist, Elaine still keep
ing close after him.
He looked out through the front
door, then drew back. Quickly he went
through the lower hall until he came
to the back door in the kitchen, Elaine
following. He unbolted the door and
opened it.
run" he said, simply, pointing out
of the door. They're coming back
the other way. I'll hold them"
She needed no further urging, but
darted from the house as he closed
the door after her.
1t was just at this point that Del
Mar came riding along the main road
on horseback. He pulled up suddenly
as he saw a car run in alongside the
road.
That's Elaine's runabout," he NUT
tered, as he dismounted and tied his
horse. "How came it here?''
He approached the car, much wor
ried by it's unaccountable presence
there instead of before the st. Ger
main. Then he drew his gun and hur-
ried up the side road.
He heard a shot and quickened his
pace In the woods Unexpectedly he
about, searching with drawn revolvers
for the person who had fired the shot
"Well?" he demanded, sharply,
what's all this?"
Someone fred a shot" they ex-
planned, somewhat crestfallen.
1T was a trick, you FOOLS he an
swered testify. Get back to your
prisoner"
Without a word they turned and
hurried toward the house, Del Mar
I fp1Inuzfno fsVnYr in ~ hn nr.
dered the foremost. "Tll go around
the house with Patrick"
AS Del Mar and the other man ran
around the corner they could just
catch a fieeting glimpse of someone
disappearing into the trees.
1t was Elaine.
The man hurried forward, blazing
away with his gun
! Running, GREATNESS, Elaine heard
the shot behind her which Del Mars
/ man had fred in his eagerness. The
| bullet struck a tree near her with a
"ping!" She glanced back and saw
the man. But she did not stop. In
tead she redoubled her efforts, run
ming zigzag in among the trees where
they were thickest.
| Del Mar, little bit behind his man
where she could not recognize him,
urged the man on, following carefully
On fed Elaine, her heart beating
fast. Suddenly she stopped, and al
most cried out in vexation. A stream
blocked her retreat-a stream swift
and deep.
She looked back, terrified. Her pur-
suers were coming ahead fast now in
her direction. Wildly she gazed
around. There was canoe on the
bank. In an instant she jumped in,
united it and seized the paddle.
Of she went, striking for the oppo-
site shore. But the current was rag
| ing swiftly. and she was already tired
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