The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-07-08

$1,000
to have lost to some extent his Gus
tomary equanimity.
Come this way, my friends" he in
vited. III Craig keeps his word, he
will be here now within a few min
utes. This way"
They followed him into the library
Chairs were arranged around the table
in the middle Of the room and they
all sat down. The professor took ou
his watch. It was five minutes to
ten.
In a few minutes" he continued
solemnly, this weight is to be lifted
from the minds of all of us. | have come
to the conclusion that on this occa-
sion Craig will keep his word. | am
not sure, mind, but | believe that he
is in the house at this present moment.
| have heard movements in the room
which belonged to him. | have not
| interfered. ! have been content to
wait"
He has at least not tried escape"
Quest remarked. French here brought
| news of him. He has been living with
his niece very quietly, but without
any particular attempt at concealment
or any signs Of wishing to leave the
city"
Il had that girl brought to my Office"
French remarked, barely al hour ago,
but she slipped away while we were
talking. Say, what's that?"
NH, Ill -a,1 ,,sal,l,y 30 tLnt~ Fant
In a momentary lull of the storm they
could hear distinctly a girls shrill
calling from outside, followed by the
clamor of angry voices.
Gee! l bet that's the girl" French
exclaimed. Shed been looking VI
the professors address in a directory
They all hurried out into the hall
The plainclothes man whom they had
left on guard was standing there with
his hand upon Craig's collar. The
girl. sobbing bitterly. was clinging to
his arm. Craig was making desperate
efforts to escape. Directly he saw the
little party issue from the library, how
ever, the strength seemed to pass from
his limbs. He remained in the clutches
of his captor. limp and helpless.
II caught the girl trying to make hel
way into the house, the latter ex
planned. "She called out and this mar
came running downstairs. right into
my arms"
1T is quite all right" the professo.
said, in a dignifed tone. "You may
release them both. Craig was on his
way to keep an appointment here al
ten o'clock. Quest, will you and thu
inspector bring him in? Let us re
sumo our places at the table,"
The little procession made its way
down the hall. The girl was still
clinging to her uncle.
What are they going to do to you
these %people?" she sobbed. They
sha'n't hurt you. They sha'n't!"
Lenora passed her arm around the
girl.
"Of course not, DEAR" she said
soothingly. Your uncle has come o.
his wi free will to answer a few
questions. only l think it would BIZ
0OttSA IL you WSuAu y hlC
Lenora finished her sentence
They had reached the entrance now t
the library. The professor was stand
ing in the doorway with extended
hand, motioning them to take theil
places at the table. Then, with nj
form Of warning, the room seemed
suddenly filled with a blaze of blue
light. 1t came at first In a thin flasl
from the window to the table, becam,
Immediately multiplied a thousant
times, played round the table II
sparks, which suddenly expanded II
sheets Of leaping. curling fame. Th'
roar of thunder shook the very foun
dations of the house-and then silence
For several seconds not n Of then
seemed to have the power OF speech
An amazing thing had happened. TIL
oak table in the middle OF the roon
was a charred fragment. the chair
were every one blackened remnants.
"A t~hunderbolt!" French gasped .
last.
Quest was the first to cross tn,
room. From the table to the outside
window was n chsrred. black linz
which had burnt its way through thu
carpet. He threw open the window
The wire whose course he had fol
lowed ended here with . little luml
Of queer substance. He broke II Of
from the end Of thu wire, which VA
absolutely brittle and natureless. an
bgought Il into tho room.