Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-08-31
then fan back at the number. -one-
Two" went on Kennedy.
-, - n,~oafv ourfnafed

then fan back at the nurneer' one.
"Two?" went on Kennedy.
Tbs needle scarcely oscfbafed-
.Three-four-fi-e came slowly.
Inez's face. though We could not see
it. was tense and set. she seemed ae-
termined not to betray thing lei
the harder she tried to control the out
ward expression of her feelings the
more she betrayed herself by the IN
ward blood pressure which the uncan-
nv little instrument before US re-
corded.
AS Kennedy kept on counting the
indicator slowly, but steadily. rose
registering her suppressed emotions'
Elaine and / 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 it and entered. For moment
he stood confronting Inez. alone in the
chair. Quickly he raised his finger
to his lips, indicating silence.
Kennedy kept on counting. AS ne
neared the right number WI drew a
revolver and raised 1t high over MS
head. Twice he shot into the air.
Suddenly, just before the shots, the
dial had unaccountably jumped ten
or dozen points What did it 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 lnez
lay back in the chair. apparently dead.
Not a 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 came along
after me, pausing at the door to watch
US run down the hall.
Slowly cabinet under the 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 brighten 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
I 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 no
one when suddenly we heard the str
fed scream of Elaine Back we rushed
to the door. But it was locked and
iammed.
WI had finished releasing Inez by
this time and, with her, rushed into
che 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 chair
and half shove Inez through to safety.
He was about to follow when he
spied the sphygmograph and seized it.
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 l had
forced the door and were in the out
er laboratory.
WI had bent Elaine back over the
table and had drawn a long knife. AS
he poised it over her he heard us
coming. Our shouts seemed to give
Elaine redoubled strength. She broke
away just as WI stabbed furiously,
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 /
saw him stagger and fall the rest of
the way. One of my shots had taken
effect, but | had used them all
i started after him. But as he
slid the last two or three steps into
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 I 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, | 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 | was hoping you had ended
it all this time"
For the moment, in his relief at see
ing Elaine still safe, Kennedy seemed
to have forgotten all about WI. MY
words recalled him.
Never mind" he treasured, as he
tapped the little sphygmograph. Not
counting the great jump of the indica-
tor when Inez discovered WI before
her, it registered the highest tension
when l mentioned No. IA PelI street.
We shall find his den not far from
that"
Wa oh@