Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-02-13

light. 1t was white, binding, APP
palling. To Gafford it seemed that
it scared the sight from his eyes for
the brief instant of its existence, and
faded TO leave him cropping in an
utter darkness, out of which grew
the faint illumination of the wireless
room, with Karloff standing straight,
tall. massive. as if turned to stone,
an expression of exaltatiOn on his
face.
A terrific concussio followed. The
ground trembled beneath their feet.
The hut seemed to rise and sway
under the impact of the terrible
shock. Karloff seemed to shrink to-
gether and gather his wits.
"Ouick! To the motorp he cried
out and ran from the room.
He was in his seat backing the
car to turn as Gafford sprang into
the other seat. The roadster swung
round and leapaC forward Under his
control In a mad rush it swerved
into the road down the mountain and
tore forward. swinging, swaying,
bouncing like a runaway thing.
Gafford will never forget that
rush down the dark side of the
mountain. He chung blindly to his
seat and held his breath as the wind
of their passage tore by.
If he had thought Karlof a mad
man before, he was sure of ii now.
He drove with a wide-open throttle,
which hurled them down grades and
around curves in way which prom
ised certain destruction from second
to second. Their course was the
frl nf hn icrh Of
ct whose trail was Kissing cloud of
dust.
Upon their ears as they fled down
the swirling track burst the sounds
of distant firing, the crack of rifles,
the singing of bugles, and a dull,
sullen roar like that of the factory's
furnaces and forges-the roar of
fighting, struggling men.
"Haip shrieked Karloff. They're
at it-they're at it-tearing one an
others throatsw
Gafford heard that shout above
the conflict and the motors roar.
With a slide and a wrench they
slid to final standstill close under
the walls of the nearest building
The sounds of the struggle came
loudly nov from the other side of
the plant. Karloff made no comment
as he sprang out and started run
ming toward the noise of battle. CAT
ford followed at his heels.
They broke from cover around the
building and ran along an alley be-
tween two others. Shots, yel,s, and
the sullen roar from savage threats
grew in volume as they pressed on.
They darted around the corner of
yet another strut and came out
in sigh. of the space between the
compound and the plant. A body of
men running at a quick step swept
upon them. Karloff stopped and
waited while they passed.
Their uniforms showed them to be
Of the prison guards. A few steps
beyond they stopped, knelt down,
and began to fire at the swirling
mob whiC showed plainly under a
searchlight turned upon them from
the electric plant of the works.
Without hesitation Karloff ran up to
the officer in charge of the squad.
"Where is Oshitu ?" he cri Il above
the noise of the night.
The Japanese waved hand to-
ward the partly ruined compound.
"Over there directing the matter"
he answered and turned back to his
men.
Gomez Karloff commanded and
again set off at a run, darted along
the side of the building next the
house of Oshitu, around its end, and
so came upon the pagoda house from
the rear. His hand fell upon the
door and shook it. 1t was locked
"Let bew he rasped as Gafford
would have tried it, drew back, and
hurled his shoulder against it with
all his might.
They stumbled into dimly light
ed hallway which ran straight
through the house.
"Do you know which room ?"
questioned Gafford and paused as
the lights went out.
Karloff swore. They've wrecked
the machines" he growled. "The
stokers are convicts, and they've
broken loose"
AS if to confirm his words, the
searchlight on the powerplant died
and the yells of the convicts redou-
bled and took on more savage
note.
"Do you know where she is?" re-
peated Gafford.
mo-" said Karloff. Call her and
see if she answers. Tell her who you
are"
They crept forward to the first
door "Miss McRae," Gafford called
before it. "Miss McRae, this is CAT
ford. Are you there? Answer if
you are"
There was no reply.
They found second door by the
sense of touch.
"Miss McRae Shiela" called
Gafford again. "This is Ned Gafford.
Shielap
A football answered. Gafford
heard the sound of suppressed
breathing beyond the panels.
"Shielap' he plead.
The fastenings of the door ratified
family. He felt it yield. Leaning
forward, he thrust his hands
through the widening aperture and
his fingers touched soft, silk-clad
flesh.
"Shiela," he whispered again, "is
il your"
eyes" she said softly. "Ned, how
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