Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-11-02
THIRTY-SECOND EPISODE
THE sEARcHLlGHT GUN.

L don't understand it." remarked
Elaine one day as with Aunt Joseph
lne and myself she was discussing the
strange events that had occurred since
the disappearance OF Kennedy, but,
somehow, it is as if a strange Provi-
aence seems to be watching over us"
Nor do l." agreed. 1T does seem
that, although we do not see it, a
mysterious power for good is about US
MS uncanny."
"A package for you, Miss Dodge"
announced Marie, coming in with a
small parcel which had been delivered
by a messenger who did not wait for
an answer.
Elaine took it, looked at it, turned It
over, and then looked at the written
address again.
IT'S not the handwriting of anyone
which / recognize" she unused. "Now,
4 suppose l ought to be suspicious of
Il. Yet. I'm going to open it."
She did so. Inside, the paper wrap
ping covered a pasteboard box She
opened that There lay a revolver,
which she picked up and turned over.
1t was a curious looking weapon.
Il never knew so much about fire.
arms as l have learned in the last few
weeks" remarked Elaine. But what
10 you suppose this is-and who sent
II to me-and Why"
She held the gun up. From the
barrel stuck out a little rolledup
piece of paper See" she cried, read
ing and handing the paper to me,
there 1t is again-that mysterious
power"
Aunt Josephine read the note:
Dear Miss Dodge:
This weapon shoots exactly into the
center of the light disk. Keep it by
you A FRIEND"
Let me see it, l asked, taking the
gun. Sure enough, along the barrel
was a peculiar tube. "A searchlight
gum" exclaimed, puzzled, though still
any suspicious were not entirely at
rest. Suppose it's sighted wrong"
could not help considering TT might
be a plant to save someone from be-
ing shot"
That's easily settled" returned
Elaine. Let's try it."
oh, mercy, no-not here" remon-
strated Aunt Josephine.
Why not-down cellar?" persisted
Elaine. 1T can't hurt anything there"
Il think it would be a good plan.
] agreed, "just to make sure that it is
all right"
Accordingly we three went down
CELLAR. There Elaine found the light
switch and turned it. Eagerly | hunt
ed about for mark. There, in some
rubbish that had not yet been cart
ed away, was a small china plate. |
set it up on a small shelf across the
room and took the gun. But Elaine
piayfully wrenched it from my hand.
NO" she insisted, ''it was sent to
me. Let me try it first"
Reluctantly l consented.
Switch off the light, Walter,
please" she directed, standing a few
PAGES from the plate.
| did so. In the darkness Elaine
pointed the gun and pulled the little
ratchet Instantly a spot of light
showed on the wall She moved the
revolver and the spot of light moved
with it. AS it rested on little deco
rative figure in the center of the plate
abe pulled the trigger. The gun ex-
ploded with a report, Geafening, in the
confines of the cellar.
1 switched on the light and we ran
forward. There was the plate
smashed into hundred bits. The bull
let had struck exactly in the center of
the little bull's-eye of light
Splendid" cried Elaine enthusi-
astically as we looked at each other
in surprise.
Though none of US guessed it, half
an hour before, in the seclusion OF
his Yacht. Woodworth's friend, Pro-