Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-08-28
THlRTY.SECOND EPISODE
THE ~SEARCHlIGHr GUN.

7 don't understand It," remarked
maine a day as with Aunt Joseph
me and myself she was discussing the
strange events that had occurred since
the disappearance Of Kennedy, but.
somehow, II is as II a strange Provi-
eence seems to be watching over u.s."
Nor do l." I agreed. 1T does seem
that, although we do not see II. a
mysterious power for good is about us.
ms uncanny.'
"A package for you. Miss Dodge
announced Marie, coming in with a
small parcel which had been delivered
BY q messenger who did not wait for
a answer.
blaine took IL, looked at il, turned II
QyeS. and hen looked at the written
a44gsss again.
It's mo- the handwriting OF anyone
which I recognize" she unused. Now.
lSuppose | ought to be suspicious Of
T. Yet. I'm going 10 open IT,"
She did so. Inside. the paper wrap
Ping covered a p~asteboard box. She
opened that. There lay a revolver.
which she picked up and turned over.
u was Q curious looking weapon.
Il knew so much about fire.
arms a. I have learned ia the last few
weeks" remarked Elaine. But what
40 you suppose this is-and who sent
n TO me-and Why"
She held the gun UP. From the
barrel stuck out a little rolled up
piece OF paper. See" she cried, read
ing and handing the paper to me,
there II IL again-that mysterious
power"
Aunt Josephine read the note:
rDeaT Miss Dodge:
This weapon shoots exactly into the
esuter Of the light disk. Keep II by
You. A FRIEND"
Let me see IT," | asked. taking the
gun. Sure enough. along the barrel
was a peculiar tube. "A searchlight
run" I exclaimed. puzzled. though still
my suspicious were not entirely at
rest. Suppose it's sighted wrong"
could not help considering. 1t might
b q plant TO save someone from be-
ing shot"
That's easily settled" returned
Elaine. Let's try IT,"
oh, mercy. no-not here" remon-
strated Aunt Josephine.
Why not-down cellar" persisted
Elaine. 1t can't hurt anything there
Il think it would be a good plan.
Agreed. "just to make sure that II Is
I'll right"
Accordingly ve three went down
cellar. There Elaine found the light
switch and turned 1t. Eagerly | hunt
ed about for a mark. There. in some
rubbish that had not vet been cart
ed away. was a small china plate. 1
set It up on a small shelf across the
room and took the gun. But Elaine
playfully wrenched 1t from my hand.
No she insisted. 1T was sent to
me. Let me try IL first"
: Reluctantly l consented.
Switch of the light. Walter,
please" she directed. standing a few
PAGES from the plate.
did so. In the darkness Elaine
rointed the gun and pulled the little
ratchet. Instantly a spot OF light
allowed on the wall. She moved the
revolver and the spot Of light moved
with IL. AS IL rested on a little deco
rstive figure in the center OF the plate
ehe pulled the trigger. The gun ex-
ploded with a report, deafening. in the
confines of the cellar.
: .ui,ched on the light and we ran
onward There was the plate
.mashed into a hundred bits. The bull
M had struck exactly In the center Of
fhe little bull's-eye of light.
Splendid" cried Elaine enthusi-
s~st,caIly as we looked at each other
In surprise.
Though none OF us guessed Il. half
an hour before. in the seclusion OF
mis- yacht, Woodworth's friend, Pro-