Tensas gazette., 1915-06-04

toward him, he waited, cold sweat
breaking out on his face.
Say" he whined, you let me be-"
1t was Intellectual. Kennedy, smil-
ing confidently, came closer, still hold
ing the deadly little box, balanced be-
tween two fingers.
He took the crooks gun and dropped
it into his pocket.
"Sit down." ordered Craig.
Outside, the other six parleyed In
hoarse whispers. One raised a gun.
but the woman and the others re-
strained him and fed.
Take me to your master!" de-
manded Kennedy.
The crook remained silent.
Where is he?" repeated Craig.
Tell mel"
Still the man remained silent.
Craig looked the fellow over again.
Then, still with that confident smile.
he reached into his inside pocket and
drew forth the tube l had seen him
place there.
mo matter how much you accuse
me-" added Craig casually, mo one
will ever take the word Of a crook
that a reputable scientist like me
would do what am about to do"
He had taken out his penknife and
opened it. Then he beckoned to me.
Bare his arm and hold his wrist,
Walter" he said.
Craig bent down with the knife and
the tube. then paused a moment and
turned to tube so that we could see it.
On the label were the ominous
words:
Germ Culture 6248A
Bacillus Leprae (leprosy)
Calmly he took the knife and pro-
ceeded to make an incision in the
mans arm. The crooks feelings un-
derwent terrific struggle.
"No-no-no-don't, he implored
Il will take you to the Clutching
Hand-even If he kills mel"
Kennedy stepped back, replacing
the tube in his pocket.
Very well, 60 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
1t would drop.
No sooner had we gone than Gertie
hurried to the nearest telephone to
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. I'VE must get her away. You
keep her here. I'll be back-right
away-with a car"
He dashed madly from the church,
pulling of his mask as he gained the
street.
Kennedy had forced the crook ahead
of US into the car which was waiting,
and I 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"
Our crook started of with a whole
burst Of directions that rivaled the
motor guide-''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 l live," swore the crook
in a cowed 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 OF
the fellow-keep him covered"
Craig walked around the church, ou:
of sight, until he came to a small
vestry window and looked in.
There was Elaine, sitting in a chair
and near her stood an elderly-lookine
man in clerical garb, which to Craig &
trained eye was quite evidently a dis
guise.
Elaine happened Just then to glance
at the window and her eyes grew
wide with establishment at the sight
of Craig.
He made a hasty motion to her tc
make a dash for the door. She nodded
quietly.
With a glance at her guardian she
suddenly made a rush.
He was at her in a moment, pounc
ing on her, catlike.
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 a mighty
effort threw Elaine aside. drawing his
revolver. As he raised it, Elaine
sprang at him and frantically seized
his wrist
Utterly merciless the man brought
the butt Of the gun down with full
force on Elaine's head. Only her hal
and hair saved her, but she sank un
conscious.
Then he turned at Craig and firet
twice.
| One shot grazed Craig's hat, but the
other struck him in the shoulder ant
Kennedy reeled.