The Ely miner., 1915-12-10

now folded up into very small space
had turned from Del Mar when the
valet entered, apparently to speak tc
Elaine, but in reality to throw them
off their guard.
Under that cover 1 was able tC
watch the precious pair from the tai
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, as the
valet retreated toward the door to the
kitchen and pantry. But, you see,
have to be housekeeper here, too, II
seems"
Actually, though he was talking to
us, 1t was in way that enabled him
by palming something in his hand,
fancied, to look at it.
1t must have been hard to read, for
l managed by a quick shift at last to
catch just fieeting glimpse that it
was a piece Of paper he held in his
hand.
What was it, asked myself, that he
should be so secret about it? Clearly,
l reasoned, it must be something that
was of interest to Elaine and myself.
II l must act ever, I concluded, now
was the time to do so.
Suddenly I reached out and snatched
the note from his hand. But before l
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 l
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, said to her,
| See what it says-quick."
Eagerly she took it and read aloud,
House surrounded by soldiers!"
Woodward" cried.
Still keeping them covered, l smiled
quietly to myself and took one step
| after another slowly to the door.
Elaine followed.
reached the door and remember
that l had to step on metal mat to
| do so. 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 upraised hands.
Before l could fire, instantaneously in
fact, l 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.
The man had thrown an electric
switch, which had completed circuit
from the metal mat to the door knob
through my body and then to the light
and power current of high power.
There was, held 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 go than l could move my feet off
that mat. 1t was torture
"Henry!" called Del Mar to the
valet iofL
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 well as rubber suits of an
outlandish design. While he was do
chief into Elaine's mouth to keep her
quiet.
By this time Del Mar, as well as the
man from behind the curtains and the
valet, were provided with suits, and
one at 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
/ struggled still, but in vain, to free
myself from the doorknob and mat. 1t
was more than could stand, and
sank down, half conscious.
revived only long enough to see
that Del Mar had forced one Of the
| suits on Elaine finally. Then he
pressed button hidden on the side of
his desk and 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 I 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.
staggered toward the panel, but
| fell to the floor, unconscious.
y .
Outside, the iron ring, as Woodward
had planned it, of soldiers were look
| ing about alert for any noise or move
ment. Suddenly, two of them who
| had been watching the grounds at
| tentively signaled to each other that
| they saw something.
From the shrubbery emerged a most
curious and uncouth figure, all in rags,
with long, unkempt hair and beard,
sallow complexion, and carrying a
long staff. 1t might have been a
tramp or hermit, perhaps, who was
making his way toward the house.
The two soldiers stole up noiseless-
ly, close to him. Almost before he
knew it, the hermit felt himself
seized from behind by four powerful