The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-10-01

met them In the hail. He, too, seemed
to have lost to some extent his GUS
tomary equanimity.
Come this way my friends" he in
yited. IF Craig keeps his word, he
will be here now within few min
utes. This way"
They followed him into the library.
Chairs were arranged around the table
in the middle of the room and they
all sat down. The professor took out
his watch. It was five minutes to
ten.
I'm a few minutes" he continued
solemnly, this weight is to be lifted
from the minds of all of us. have come
to the conclusion that on this occa-
sion Craig will keep his word. am
not sure, mind, but believe that he
Is in the house at this present moment.
l have heard movements in the room
which belonged to him. have not
interfered. / have been content to
wait"
"He has at least not tried escape"
Quest remarked. French here brought
news of him. He has been living with
his niece very quietly, but without
any particular attempt at concealment
or any signs Of wishing to leave the
city"
Il had that girl brought to my office"
French remarked, barely an hour ago,
but she slipped away while we were
talking. Say, what's that?"
They all rose quickly to their feet.
In momentary lull of the storm they
could hear distinctly a girls shrill
calling from outside, followed by the
clamor of angry voices.
Gee! I bet that's the girl" French
exclaimed. Shed been looking up
the professors address in directory.
They all hurried out into the hall.
The plainclothes man whom they had
left on guard was standing there with
his hand upon Craig's collar. The
girl. sobbing bitterly, was clinging to
his arm. Craig was making desperate
efforts to escape. Directly he saw the
little party issue from the library, how
ever, the strength seemed to pass from
his limbs. He remained in the clutches
OF his captor limp and helpless.
i caught the girl trying to make her
way into the house, the latter. ex-
planned. "She called out and this man
came running downstairs, right into
my arms
IT is quite all right" the professor
said, in a dignified tone. you NAV
release them both. Craig was on his
way to keep an appointment here at
ten o'clock. Quest, will you and the
inspector bring him in? Let us re-
sumo our places at the table,,
The little procession made it's wav
down the hall. The girl was still
SAnging to her uncle.
What are they going to do TO Won
these People?" she sobbed. "Tbev
sha'nt hurt you. They sha'n't,"
Lenora passed her arm around the
girl. Nu TUG
of course not, DEAR" she said
sootningly Your uncle has come 81
MS own free will to answer . few
questlons, only | think it would he
petter II you would let me-"
Lenora never finished her sentence
Ihey had reached the entrance now 70
tne library. The professor was stand.
ing In the doorway with extendad
hand, motioning them to take tbe;r
places at the table. Then. with ~
form Oh warning, the room seemed
suddenly filled with a blaze Of blua
nght. 1t came at first in a tbin Aash
from the window to the table. becama
Immediately multiplied a thonsonS
times, played round the tabla -
sparks which suddenly expanded -
sneets OF leaping, curling fame. Tho
roar OF thunder shook the very fonn
dations OF the house and then s;,anoa
For several seconds not one Of tban,
seemed to have the power Of speech
An amazing thing had happened The
OAK table in the middle Of the room
was charred fragment, the chairs
were every one blackened remnants
A thunderboltl" French gasnaS
last. saspeu at
Quest was the first to cross AZ
room From the table to the outside
WINDOW was one charred. blacE l,na
winch had burnt its way through the
carpet He threw open the window
me WIRE whose course he had sal
~ "eu enued mere with a little lumn
OF queer substance. He broke n az
from the end of the wire, which was
aosoiuteiy brittle and natureless ana
brought 1t into the room. 'nu
What is III" Lenora faltsred.