The Dolores star., 1915-12-03

I Mar ne paper which he had written.
now folded up into . very small space.
1 had turned from Del Mar when the
valet entered. apparently to speak to
Elaine, but in reality to throw them
on their guard.
Under that cover l was able to
watch the precious pair from the tail
of my eye. l saw Del Mar nod to the
valet as though he understood that
some warning was about to be con.
veyed. Although nothing was said.
Del Mar was indicating by dumb show
orders of some kind.
Il hope you'll pardon me, Miss
Dodge" Del Mar deprecated, az the
| valet retreated toward the door to the
| kitchen and pantry. But, you see, ]
have to be housekeeper here. too, 1t
| seems"
Actually, though he was talking to
US, 1t was in a way that enabled him,
by palming something in his hand, l
fancied. to look at it.
II must have been hard to read, for
l managed by a quick shift at last to
catch just a feeting glimpse that 1t
was a piece of paper he held in his
hand.
What was it. I asked myself, that he
should be SO secret about it? Clearly,
1 reasoned. it must be something that
was of interest to Elaine and myself.
II l must act ever, l concluded, now
was the time to do so.
Suddenly I reached out and snatched
the note from his hand. But before
could read it Del Mar had sprung to
his feet.
At the same instant a man leaped
out from behind the curtains.
But / was on my guard. Already /
had drawn my revolver and had them
all covered before they could make
another move.
Back into that corner-by the win
dow-all OF you," l ordered, thinking
thus to get them together, more easily
covered. Then. handing the note, with
my other hand. to Elaine, l said to her.
See what it says-quick."
Eagerly she took 1t and read aloud.
House surrounded by soldiers!"
woodward" cried.
Still keeping them covered. smiled
quietly to myself and took one step
after another slowly to the door.
Elaine followed.
l reached the door and / remember
that l had to step on a metal mat to
do SO. l put my hand behind me and
grasped the knob about to open the
door.
As l did SO, the man who had
jumped from behind the curtain sud-
denly threw down his appraised hands.
Before could fire, instantaneously in
fact, ! felt thrill as though a mil
lion needles had been thrust into all
parts Of my body at once paralyzing
every muscle and nerve. The gun fell
from my nerveless hand, Gathering to
the floor.
switch, which had completed a circuit
from the metal mat to the door knob
through my body and then to the light
and power current of high power.
There l was, held a prisoner, by the
electric current!
At the same instant, also, Del Mar
with an oath leaped forward and
seized Elaine by the arms. struggled
with the doorknob but could no more
let 60 than l could move my feet off
that mat. 1t was torture.
Henry" called Del Mar to the
valet.
Yes, sir"
open the cabinet. Give me the
helmets and the suits"
The valet did SO, bringing out a
number of queer-looking headpieces
with a single weird eye Of glass in the
front, as we'll as rubber suits of an
outlandish design. While he was do
ing 80, Del Mar stuffed handker-
chief into Elaine's mouth to keep her
quiet.
BY this time Del Mar. as we'll as the
man from behind the curtains and the
valet, were provided with suits. and
one at a time holding Elaine, the 9TH
ers put them on.
Del Mar moved toward Elaine hold
ing an extra helmet. He strapped it
on her, then started to force her
| into suit.
l struggled still. but in vain, to free
| myself from the doorknob and mat. 1t
was more than l could stand. and
| sank down. half conscious.
l revived only long enough to see
that Del Mar had forced one of the
suits on Elaine finally. Then he
pressed a button hidden on the side of
his desk and a secret panel in the wall
opened. Picking up Elaine, he and the
| others hurried through into what
looked like a dark passage and the
panel closed.
They were gone. put forth all my
remaining strength in one last des
perate struggle. Somehow, managed
to kick the wire mat from under my
feet. breaking the contact.
I staggered toward the panel, bu,
| 81 A.