The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-12-30

met them in the hall. He, too, seemed
to have lost to some extent his GUS
tcmary equanimity.
Come this way, my friends" he in
vited. IF 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 out
his watch. 1t was five minutes TO
ten.
I'm q 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. l am
| not sure, mind, but I believe that he
is in the house at this present moment.
| have heard movements in the room
| which belonged to him. / have not
interfered. l havo been content to
wait"
He has at least not tried escape"
| Quest remarked. French here brought
/ HOW VI hlLu. LIZ Mas ECSh living "Ath
his niece very quietly, but without
aay particular attempt at concealment
or any signs of wishing to leave the
city"
Il had that girl brought to my Office"
French remarked, barely an hour ago,
but she slipped away while we were
talking. Say, what's that?"
They all rose quickly to their feet.
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! ! bet that's the girl" French
exclaimed. Shed been looking up
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.
Il caught the girl trying to make her
way into the house," the latter ex-
planned. "She called out and this man
came running downstairs, right into
my arms"
1T is quite all right" the professor
said, in a digniied tone. "You may
release them both. Craig was on his
way to keep an appointment here at
ten o'clock. Quest, will you and the
inspector bring him in! Let US re-
sumo our. places at tho 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 yos.
these people?" she sobbed. They
sha'n't hurt you. They sha'n't!"
Lenora passed her arm around the
girl.
fOf course not, dear" she said,
soothingly. Your uncle has come Of
his own free will to answer a few
questions, only / think 1t would be
better if you would let me-"
Lenora never finished her sentence.
They had reached the entrance now to
the library. The professor was stand
ing in the doorway with extended
hand, motioning them to take their
places at the table. Then, with no
form of warning, the room seemed
suddenly filled with a blaze of blue
light. 1t anne at first In a thin flash
from the window to the table, became
Immediately multiplied a thousand
times, played round the table In
sparks, which suddenly expanded to
sheets Of leaping, curling fame. The
roar Of thunder shook the very foun-
dations Of the house-and then silence.
Fol- several seconds not one of them
seemed to have the power Of speech.
An amazing thing had happened. The
oak table in the middle of the room
was a charred fragment. the chairs
were every one blackened remnants.
"a thunderbolt!" French gasped at
last.
Quest was the first to cross the
room. From the table to the outside
window was one charred, black line
which had burnt its way through the
carpet. He threw open the window.
The wire whose curse he had fol-
lowed ended hero With a little lump
Of queer substance. He broke Il or
from the enA=rf=fAe wirp, which was
absolutely hritk1e aa6 nakureaesa. -
brought II int TIE roen.
"Wkst b NJ LAaors 1a1eersA.