Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-12-17

/ ON tnelr guard.
Under that cover I was able d
watch the precious pair from the tai
Of my eye. saw Del Mar nod to tn,
valet as though he understood thai
some warning was about to be con
veyed. Although nothing was said
Del Mar was indicating by dumb show
orders Of some kind.
Il hope youh pardon me, Miss
Dodge" Del Mar deprecated, a. the
valet retreated toward the door to the
kitchen and pantry. But. you see,
have to be housekeeper here, too, II
seems"
Actually. though he was talking to
US, it was in q way that enabled him
by palming something in his hand,
fancied, to look at 1t.
1t must have been hard to read, for
I managed by a quick shift at last to
catch just neeting glimpse that II
was q piece Of paper he held in his
hand.
What was it. asked myself, that he
should be 30 secret about It? Clearly,
reasoned. II must be something that
was Of interest to Elaine and myself.
II must act ever. I concluded, now
was the time to do DO.
Suddenly reached out and snatched
the note from his hand. But before I
could read 1t Del Mar had sprung to
his feet.
At the same instant . man leaped
out from behind the curtains.
But was on my guard. Already I
had drawn my revolver and had them
all covered before they could make
another move.
Back into that corner-by the win.
dow-all Of you" / ordered. thinking
thus to get them together. more easily
covered. Then. handing the note. with
my other hand. to Elaine, l said to her,
See what it says-quick."
Eagerly she took 1t and read aloud,
House surrounded by soldiersI"
woodward" I cried.
Still keeping them covered, smiled
quietly to myself and took one step
after another slowly to the door.
Elaine followed.
l reached the door and I remember
that had to step on . metal mat to
do 30. put my hand behind me and
grasped the knob about to open the
door.
As I did 20, the man who had
jumped from behind the curtain sud
denly threw down his appraised hands.
Before l could IRE. instantaneously in
fact, ] felt . thrill a. though Q mil
lion needles had been thrust into al
parts Of my body at once paralyxing
every muscle and nerve. The gun fell
rom my nerveless hand. Gathering to |
the floor.
The man had thrown an electric
switch, which had completed Q circuit
rom the metal mat to the door knob |
through my body and then to the light |
and power current Of high power.
There ! was, held . prisoner. BY the |
electric current!
At the same instant, also. Del Mar |
With an oath leaped forward and |
'eized Elaine by the arms. / struggled |
With the doorknob but could no more |
ct 60 than could move my fest Oh |
hat mat. II was torture.
Henry" called Del Mar to the
1alet-
Yes, SIR"
"Onon thu ~.hsu.< H. A.
helmets and the SUITS"
The valet did 20. bringing out q
lumber Of Queer-looking headpieces
With single weind eye of glass in the |
'front.'. a. well a. rubber suits Of an
'utlandish design. While he was do
ng so. Del Mar stuffed . handker-
:hief into Elaine's mouth to keep her
luiet.
By this time Del Mar. a. well a the
nan from behind the curtains and the
'alet. were provided with suits, and |
me 1t time holding Elaine, the 9TH
NJ put them on.
Del Mar moved toward Elaine hold
Nc an extra helmet. He strapped Il
IN her. then started to force her
INTO . suit.
struggled still. but In vain, to Tree
myself from the doorknob and mat. II
vas more than / could stand, and
ank down. half conscious.
revived only long enough to zee
hat Del Mar had forced one Of the
uits on Elaine finally. Then he
'ressed . button hidden ON the side Of
10 desk and . secret panel In the wan
pened. Picking up Elaine, he and the
theirs hurried through into what
ooked Ike . dark passage and the
anel closed.
They were gone. put forth an my
strength In one last des-
crate struggle Somehow, I managed
0 kick the wire mat from under my
eet. breaking the contact.
I staggered toward the panel, but
Ill to the floor. unconscious.
Outside, the iron ring. - Woodward
nd planned Il, Of soldiers were look
lg about alert for any noise or move
lent. Suddenly. two Of them who
ad been watching the grounds IT.
signaled to each other that
hey saw something.
From the shrubbery emerged Q most
nrious and uncouth figure, al In rags.
18th long. unkempt hair and beard.
allow complexion. and carrying .
ing stan. It might have bean .
amp or hermit, perhaps. who was