The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times., 1915-10-28
THIRTY-SECOND EPISODE
THE sEARcHLIGHT GUN.

Il don't understand IT," remarked
Elaine one day as with Aunt Joseph.
ine and myself she was discussing the
strange events that had occurred since
the disappearance OF Kennedy. but.
somehow. II is as II n strange Provl-
dence seems TO be watching over us"
Nor do l." agreed. 1T does seem
that. although we do not see Il. q
mysterious power for good is about us.
It's uncanny.'
"A PACKAGE for you, Miss Dodge"
announced Marie. coming in with
small parcel which had been delivered
by n messenger who did not wait for
an answer.
Elaine took II. looked at II, turned Il
over, and then looked at the written
address again.
It's not the handwriting OF anyone
which ! recognize" she mused. "Now.
! suppose | ought 10 be suspicious OF
It. Yet. I'm going to open IT,"
She dId 80. Inside. the paper wrap.
ping covered n pastcboard box. She
opened that There lay a revolver,
which she picked up and turned over.
II was curious looking weapon.
Il never knew so much about fire.
arms as | have learned in the last few
weeks remarked Elaine. "Rut what
do you suppose this is-and who sent
II TO me-and Why"
She held tho gun up. From the
barrel stuck out a little rolled.up
piece OF paper See" che cried read.
ing and handing the paper 10 me,
there II Is again-tbat mysterious
power"
Aunt Josephine read the note:
Dear Miss Dodge:
This weapon shoots exactly into the
center OF the light disk. Keep It by
you. A FRIEND"
Lot mo see IT," asked, taking tho
gsn. Sure enough, along the barrel
was n peculiar tube. "A searchllght
gun" exclaimed, puzzled. though still
my suspicious were not entirely at
rest. Suppose it's sighted wrong" |
could not help considering. 1T might
be a plant 10 save someone from be.
ing shot"
That's easily settled" returned
Elaine. Lets 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 II would be good plan.
! agreed. lust to make sure that 1t is
ali right"
Accordingly we three went down
cellar. There Elaine found tho light
switch and turned II. Eagerly | hunt.
ed about for a mark. There, in some
rubbish that had not yet been cart.
ed away, was IA small china plate.
set II up on n small shelf across the
room and took the gun. But Elaine
playfully wrenohed It from my hand.
NO" she insisted, 1T was sent TO
mo. Let me try IL first"
Reluctantly I consented.
Switch of the light, Walter,
please" she directed, standing a few
PAGES from the plate.
did so. In the darkness Elaine
pointed the gun and pulled the little
ratchet. Instantly q spot OF light
showed on the wall. She moved the
revolver and the spot OF light moved
with II. As II rested on a little deco
rativa figure in the center of the plate
she pulled the trigger, The gun ex.
ploded with report, deafenlng, in the
confines OF tho cellar.
switched on the light and we ran
forward. There was the plate
smashed into a hundred bits. The bIl.
let had struck exactly in the center OF
the little bull's.eye Of light.
splendid" cried Elaine enthusi-
Gstically as we looked at each other
IN rrrprSe.
Tough mono OF us guessed II. half
~ q, ~ tho soclusion OF
h. ..dwUrth's friend. Pro-