The Ely miner., 1915-05-28

toward him, he waited. colt sweat
breaking out on his face.
Say" he whined, you let me be-!
1t was Intellectual. Kennedy, smil
ing confidently, came closer. still hold
ing the deadly little box, bal9uced be-
tween two fingers.
He took the crooks gun and dropped
it into his pocket.
"Sit down." ordered Craig.
Outside, the other six parleyed In
hoarse whispers. One raised a gun
but the woman and the others re
strained him and fled.
Take me to your master!" de
manded Kennedy.
The crook remained silent.
Where is he?" repeated Craig
Tell mel"
Stlll the man remained silent
Craig looked the fellow over again
Then, still with that confident smile
he reached into his inside pocket and
drew forth the tube l had seen him
place there.
mo matter how much you accuse
me-" added Craig casually, mo one
Will ever take the word of a crook
that reputable scientist like me
would do what l am about to do"
He had taken out his penknife and
opened it. Then he beckoned to me
Bare his arm and hold his wrist
Walter" he said.
Craig bent down with the knife and
the tube, then paused a moment and
turned to tube so that we could see it
On the label were the ominous
Germ Culture 6248A
Bacillus Leprae (Leprosy)
Calmly he took the knife and pro
ceeded to make an incision in the
mans arm. The crooks feelings un
derwent terrific struggle.
"No-no-no-dont," he implored
II will take you to the Clutchine
Hand-even II he kills mel"
Kennedy stepped back. replacing
the tube in his pocket.
Very well, go ahead!" he agreed.
We followed the crook, Craig still
holding the deadly box of illuminate oi
mercury carefully balanced so thai
II anyone shot him from a hiding place
it would drop
No sooner had we gone than Gertie
hurried to the nearest telephone tc
inform the Cluching Hand of oul
escape.
Elaine had sunk back into the chat,
as the telephone rang. Clutchine
Hand answered it.
A moment later, in uncomfortable
fury he hurled the instrument to the
floor.
"Here-we've got to act quickly
that devil has escaped again." he
Kissed. 1--WE must get her away. Yor
keep her here. I'll be back-right
away-with a car"
He dashed madly from the church
pulling off 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-quick!" demand
ed Craig. And if you get me IL
wrong-I've got that tube yet-you re
member"
Our crook started off 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 l i've" swore the crool
in cowed voice.
He had gone to pieces. Kennedy
jumped from the machine.
Here, take this gun, Walter" ht
said to me. Don't take your eyes of
the fellow-keep him covered"
Craig walked around the church, ou
of sight, until he came to a small
vestry window and looked in
There was Elaine, sitting in chair
and near her stood an elderly-lookins
man in clerical garb, which to Craig!
trained eye was quite evidently a dis
guise.
Elaine happened just then to glance
at the window and her eyes grew
wide with astonishment at the sigh
of Craig.
He made a hasty motion to her t.
make dash for the door. She nodded
quietly.
With glance at her guardian sht
suddenly made rush.
He was at her in moment, pounc
ing on her, catlike.
Kennedy had seized an iron bar tha
lay beside the window where some
workmen had been repairing the ston,
pavement, and with a blow shattered
the glass and the sash.
At the sound of the smashing glas.
the crook turned and with a might,
effort threw Elaine aside, drawing hi.
revolver. AS he raised it, Elain,
sprang at him and frantically seizet
his wrist.
Utterly merciless the man brough
the butt of the gun down with full
force on Elaine's head. Only her ha
and hair saved her, but she sank un
conscious.
Then he turned at Craig and free
twice.
One shot grazed Craig's hat, but tn,
other struck him in the shoulder ant
Kennedy reeled
With desperate effort he pullet
himself toward her and leaped forwar,
again, closing with the fellow ant
Uron nhino hn c,,n fropa hiyy1 hofar,