The Green Forest tribune., 1915-07-09

to have lost to some extent hlS 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. I am not sure, mind, but I believe that he is in the house at this present moment. which belonged to him. I have not interfered. 1 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 uio LlSC0 fCly qulCtly, UuL WlIuOuC 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 talking. Say, what's that?"
 They all rose quickly to their feet. In momentary lull of the storm they could hear distinctly girls shrill calling from outside, followed by the clamor of angry voices.
 Gee! I 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.
 q caught the girl trying to make her way into the house, the latter ex- plained. "She called out and this man came running downstairs, right into my arms"
 Tt is quite all right" the professor 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- sume our places at the table,
 The little procession made it's 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'nt hurt you. They sha'nt!"
 Lenora passed her arm around the girl.
 "Of course not, dear," she said, soothingly. Your uncle has come of his own free will to answer a few questions, only think it 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. It came at first in thin flash from the window to the table, became immediately multiplied a thousand times, played round the tabIe in sparks, which suddenly expanded to sheets of leaping, curling flame. The roar Of thunder shook the very foun. datlons of the house-and then silence For several seconds not one of them seemed to have the power of speecb An amazing thing had happened Tho oak table Tn the middle of the room was a charred fragment, the chairs were every one blackened remnants
 A thunderbolt!" French gasped at last poo "'
 quest was the first to cross tho room. From the table to the outside "inuoW was one charred, black line which had burnt its way through the carpet He threw open the window lie wire whose course he had fol- lowed ended here with a little hmm ol queer substance. He broke it off rom the end of the wire, which was aosolutely brittle and natureless and brought it into the room.
 What is it?" Lenora faltered.