The Huttig news., 1915-08-28

met them In the hall He, too. seemed to have lost to some extent his GUS tomary equanimity.
 Come this way. my friends, he in- vited. If Craig keeps his word, he will be here now within 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 It was five minutes to ten
 Tn 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. 1 am not sure, mind, but I believe that he is in the house at this present moment. I have heard movements in the room which belonged to him. I have not interfered I 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.
 T had that girl brought to my office, French remarked, barely an hour ago but she slipped away while we were fallfing Say what'c that 2''
 They all rose quickly to their feet In mementary lull of the storm the, could hear distinctly a girls shril calling from outside, followed by thu clamor of angry voices.
 Gee! I bet that's the girl" French exclaimed Shed been looking uI the professors address in directory
 They all hurried out into the hall l The plainclothes man whom they had l 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 i his limbs. He remained in the clutches of his captor, limp and helpless.
 q caught the girl trying to make hel way into the house, the latter ex ] planed. She called out and this mar came running downstairs. right into my arms
 It is quite all right" the professor said, in dignified tone. You may release them both. Craig was on his way to keep an appointment here al 1 ten o'clock. Quest, will you and the inspector bring him in? Let us re sume our places at the table.
 The little procession made it's way down the nall. The girl was stil clinging to her uncle.
 What are they going to do to you these people?" she sobbed. They sha'nt hurt you. They sha'nt."
 Lenora passed her arm around tht girl.
 "Of course not, dear" she said soothingly. Your uncle has come o his own free will to answer a few questions, only 1 think it would bt better if you would let me"
 Lenora never finished her sentence They had reached the entrance now tc the library. The professor was stand ing in the doorway with extended hand, motioning them to take theil places at the table. Then, with nc i form of warning. the room seemed suddenly filled with blaze of blue light. It came at first in thin flash from the window to the table. became immediately multiplied thousand times. played round the table in sparks, which suddenly expanded to sheets of leaping, curling flame. The roar of thunder shook the very foun | dations of the house-and then silence l For 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 i vas eharred fragment. the chain were every one blackened remnants.
 "A thunderbolt!" French gasped at last
 Quest wsa the first to cross the window was one charred, black line which had burnt it's way through the carpet. He threw open tho @thdow i The wire whose course he had fol i lowed ended here with a little hump of queer substance. He broke it of From the end of the wire, which was ] absolutely brittle and natureless, and brought it into the room.
 What is it?" Lenora faltered.