The Ordway new era., 1915-09-10

II. was tense ana set. Sn6 seemed u6-
termined not to betray thing. Yet
the harder she tried to control the out
ward expression of her feelings tho
more she betrayed herself by the In
ward blood pressure which the uncan-
ny little instrument before US re-
corded.
AS Kennedy kept on counting the
registering her suppressed emotions.
Elaine and I watched the dial, bending
over it with intense interest.
Outside in the hall, WI had again
come to the laboratory door. This
time he drew out his key and softly
opened 1t and entered. For moment
he stood confronting Inez. alone in the
chair. Quickly he raised his finger
to his lips. indicating silence.
Kennedy kept Oh counting. AS he
neared the right number WI drew
revolver and raised 1t high over his
head. Twice he shot into the air.
Suddenly, Just before the shots. the
dial had unaccountably jumped ten
or a dozen points. What did 1t mean?
| held it up and Kennedy looked at 1t
in wonder. He was about to take
step toward the laboratory when the
pistol shots rang out. The dial hand
fell back to zero!
We rushed into the laboratory. Jnez
lay back in the chair. apparently dead.
Not soul was in sight. but the hall
door was open.
Come on" shouted Kennedy, hurry
ing out into the hall, as | was about
to stop before Inez.
followed and Elaine cams along
after me. pausing at the door 10 watch
US run down the hall.
Slowly a cabinet under tho labora-
tory table back of her swung open,
and the evil. murderous face of the
Chinese master criminal appeared
from the refuge to which he had
dropped after the shots which he
had fired to frighten Inez. Silently he
crept toward Elaine, standing with her
back to him.
With one powerful movement he
swept Elaine back into the laboratory
and to the floor and slammed the
door. locking it. Another instant and
he ran to Inez and unfastened her.
She had merely tainted and was now
coming to.
Down the hall we had discovered nc
one when suddenly We heard the sti
fled scream of Elaine Back we rushed
to the door. But it was locked and
jammed.
WI had finished releasing Inez by
this time and, with her, rushed into
the back room. AS he did so Elaine
managed to get to her feet and fol
low in time to see WI smash the win
dow to the fire-escape with u chair
and half shove Inez through to safety.
He was about to follow when he
spied the sphygmograph and seized 1t.
That brought him face to face with
Elaine. She snatched the record from
him. With an oath he struggled with
her for it.
By this time Kennedy and had
forced the door and were in the out
er laboratory.
WI had bent Elaine back over the
table and had drawn long knife. As
he poised 1t over her he heard US
coming. Our shouts seemed to give
Elaine redoubled strength. She broke
away just as WI stabbed furioasly.
and the knife point was detected by
the sphygmograph.
There was not an instant to lose,
and WI fairly dived out of the win
dow AS we rushed in Kennedy
paused to reassure himself of Elaine's
safety, but ! plunged after WI. my
revolver drawn.
Wildly | shot down from the win
dow at his retreating form. He had
almost reached the ground when l
saw him stagger and fall the rest of
the way. One of my shots had taken
effect, but had used them all.
l started after him. But as he
slid the last two or three steps into
a heap on the ground. Inez caught him
In her arms. Half supporting. half
pulling. she managed to assist the
dazed and wounded criminal along.
At the curb was a closed car. with
driver, waiting. She showed him in
and tumbled in after him herself, as
the car moved swiftly away.
By this time l had reached the
ground and reloaded my gun as
ran along. fired several shots. But
though l struck the car. | don't think
did any damage. for it continued to
gain speed. The chase was hopeless
and stopped, disguised.
Back in the laboratory, as returned
through the window. l saw that the
strain had been too much for Elaine.
Now that it was over. she had faint
ed and Kennedy was just bringing her
around.
"Confound him." I exclaimed, Il
wounded him. but the girl got him
away from US again.
oh" murmured Elaine. family
catching my words. Il heard the
shots. l was hoping you had ended
it all this time"