The Dermott news., 1915-12-09
Mar the paper which he had written

| wal tliC pdHtl "hhNh hC hub WI ihtSif now folded up into very small space. had turned from Del Mar when the valet entered apparently to speak to Elaine. but in reality to throw them off their guard. Under that cover was able to watch the precious pair from the tail l of my eye, l saw Del Mar nod to the valet as though he understood that some warning was about to be con veyed. Although nothing was said, Del Mar was indicating by dumb show orders of some kind.
 T hope you'll pardon me, Miss Dodge" Del Mar deprecated. as the valet retreated toward the door to the l kitchen and pantry But, you see, have to be housekeeper here, too, it | seems"
 Actually, though he was talking to us, 1t was in a way that enabled him, by palming something in his hand. l 1 fancled, to look at it.
 It must have been hard to read. for l managed by a quick shift at last to catch just a feeting glimpse that it was piece of paper he held in his 1 hand.
 What was it. asked myself, that he should be so secret about it? Clearly, 1 reasoned il must be something that was of interest 10 Elaine and myself. If l must act ever, l concluded. now was the time to do SO
 Suddenly reached cut and snatched the note from his hand But before ] could read it Del Mar had sprung to his feet
 At the same instant a man leaped out from behind the curtains.
 But l was on my guard Already l had drawn my revolver and had them all covered before they could make another move
 Back into that corner-by the win 1 dow all of you l ordered. thinking thus to get them together. more easily covered. Then. handing the note. with my other hand. 10 Elaine l said to her. See what 1t says-Quick Eagerly she took 1t and read aloud. House surrounded by soldiers,"
 Woodward cried
 Stul keeping them covered, smiled quietly to myself and took one step after another slowly to the door. 1 Elaine followed
 l reached the door and I remember that I had to step on metal mat to do SO l put my hand behind ne and ] grasped the knob about to open the ] door
 As l did so. the man who had jumped from behind the curtain sud denly threw down his upraised hands. i Before l could fire instautaneously in fact. felt a thrill as though mil i lion needles had been thrust into all parts of my body at once paralyzing every muscle and nerve The gun fell from ny neryeless hand. elattering to the floor.
 The man had thrown an eleer-,c switch. which Lad completed circuit l from the metal mat 10 the door knob l through my body and then to the light and power current Of high power. i There l was. held a prisoner. by the i electric current Al itIt' Nth.4|f# tsl~t illl. AANN'r l'Fl 'A ttl with an oath leapod forward and seized Blame Av the arms. struggled with the doorbaab but could He more i let go than l could move my feet on that mat It was torture
 Henry" called bel Mar to the valet
 Yes sir"
 open the cabinet. Give me the helmets arJ the suits"
 The valet did SO. bringing out a number Of Queer-looking headpieces with q single wei-l eye of glass in the front. as well as rubber suits of an outlandfsh design. While he was do- ing so. Del Mar stuffed a handker chief into Elaine's mouth to keep her quiet.
 Ky this time Del Mar. as well as the man from behind the curtains and the valet. were provided with suits. and one at time holding Elaine, the oth. CTS put them on.
 Del Mar moved toward Elaine hold ing an extra helmet He strapped 1t on her then started to force her into a suit
 struggled still. but in vain to free myself from the doorkno5 and mat It was more than l could stand, and l sank down, half conscious.
 revived only long enough to see that Del Mar had fcrced one of the suits on Elaine finally Then he pressed button hidden on the side of his desk and secret panel in the wall opened Picking up Elaine. he and the others hurried through into what looked like a dark passage and the panel closed.
 They were gone. l put forth all my remaining strength in one last des perate struggle. Somehow, l managed to kick the wire mat from under my feet breaking the contact
 staggered toward the panel. but fell to the floor. unconscious.