The Springdale news., 1915-03-26

turned to tube so that we could see 1t. On the label were the ominous words.
 Germ Culture 6243A
 Bacillus Leprae (Leprosy)
 Calmly he took the knife and pro ceeded to make an incision i'll the mans arm. The crooks feelings un- derwent a terrific struggle
 'No-no-no-don't,' he implored T will take you to the Clutching Hand-even If he kills mel"
 Kennedy stepped back, replacing the tube in his pocket.
 Very we'll, go ahead!" he agreed We followed the crook, Craig still holding the deadly box of illuminate of mercury carefully balanced so that if anyone shot him from hiding place it would drop.
 No sooner had we gone than Gertie inform the Cluching Hand of our escape
 Elaine had sunk back into the chair as the telephone rang. Clutching 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 hissed. We must get her away. You 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 l street.
 Kennedy had forced the crook ahead of us into the car which was waiting, and 1 followed, taking the wheel this time
 Which way, now-quick!" demand ed Craig. And if you get me in wrong-I've got that tube yet-you re- member"
 burst of directions that rivaled the potor 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"
 "Is this it?" asked Craig incredu- lously
 "Yes-as I live, swore the crook in a eowed voice. He had gone to pieces. Kennedy jumped from the machine.
 Here, take this gun, Walter" he said to me. Don't take your eyes off the fellow-keep him covered
 ty oI h1 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-looking man in clerical garb, which to Craig's trained eye was quite evidently dis guise.
 Elaine happened just then to glance at the window and her eyes grew wide with astonishment at the sight of Craig
 He made a nasty motion to her to make dash for the door She nodded quietly.
 With a glance at her guardian she suddenly made a rush
 lie was at her in moment, pounc- Ing Oh her. catflke.
 Kennedy had seized an iron bar that lay beside the window where some Workmen had been repairing the stone pavement, and with a blow shattered the glass and the sash.
 At the sound of the smashing glass the crook turned and with mighty effort threw Elaine aside, drawing his revolver AS he raised it, Elaine sprang at him and frantically seized i his wrist.
 Utterly merciless the man brought the butt of the gun down with full force on Elaines head Only her hat and hair saved her, but she sank un- conscious
 Then he turned at Craig and fired i twice.
 One shot grazed Craig's hat, but the other struck him in the shoulder and Kennedy reeled.
 With desperate effort he pulled himself toward her and leaped forward again. closing with the fellow and wrenching the gun from him before he could fire again.
 Just then the man broke away and made dash for the door leading back into the church itself, with Kennedy after him
 Up he went into the choir loft and then into the belfry itself There they came to sheer hand-to-hand struggle. Kennedy tripped on loose board, and would have fallen backwards if he had not been able to recover himself just in time. The crook, desperate, leaped