The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-11-18

! Mar the paper which he had written
now folded up into u very small space
1 had turned from Del Mar when the
valet entered. apparently to speak To
Elaine. but In reality to throw thcll
of their guard.
Under that cover was able To
watch the precious pair from the TAN
OF my eve. saw Del Mar nod TO the
valet as though nc understood that
some warning was about to be con
vcyed. Although nothing was SAID
Del Mar was indicating by dumb sho"
orders Of some kind.
Il hope you'll pardon me. Miss
Dodge Del Mar deprecated, as the
valet retrcated toward the door to the
kitchen and pantry. But, you see, !
have to be housckccpcr here, too. II
seems"
Actually, though he was talking TO
us. IL was In a way that enable him,
by palming something in his hand, !
fancied. to look at II.
[ must have been hard TO read, for
managed by Il quick SHIFT at last to
tch just a ilecting glimpse that II
/ was n piece OF paper he held In his
hand.
What was II. ] asked myself, that he
should be so secret about IL? Clearly.
| reasoned, II must be something that
was of interest to Elaine and myself.
II must act ever. ! concluded, now
was the time TO do so.
Suddenly | reached out and snatched
the note from his hand. But before |
could read 1t Del Mar had sprung to
his feet.
At the same instant a man leaped
out from behind the curtains.
But | was on my guard. Already !
had drawn M 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, ! said to her
See what IL says-quick.'
Eagerly she took 1t and read aloud.
House surrounded by soldiers"
Woodward | cried.
Still keeping them covered. | smiled
quietly to myself and took one step
after another slowly to the door.
Elaine followed.
| reached the door and | remember
that ! had to step ON IA metal mat TO
DO "a. | put my hand behind me ana
graspcd the knob about to open the
door.
As ! did SO, the man who had
jumped from behind the curtain sud
denly threw down his appraised hands.
Before ! could fire. instantancously in
fact, ! felt Il thrill as though "A mil.
lion needles had been thrust into all
parts of my body at oncc paraiyzing
every muscle and nerve. The gun fell
from my ncryolcss hand, gathering TO
the floor.
The man had thrown an electric
switch, which had completed n circuit
from the metal mat to the door knob
through my body and hen 10 the light
and power current OF high power.
There ! was. held "A prisoner, by the
electric current,
At the same instant, also. Del Mar
with an oath lcapcd forward and
seized Elaine by the arms, | struggled
with the doOrknob but | could no more
let SO than | could move my feet Of
that mat. II was torture.
Henry" called Del Mar to the
valet.
Yes. sir"
open the cabinet. Give me the
helmets and the suits"
The valet did so. bringing out a
number OF quecr.looking headpieces
with a single weird eye OF glass in the
front, az well as rubber suits OF an
outiandish design. While he was do.
ing so. Del Mar stuffed a handker.
chief into Eialne's mouth to keep her
quiet.
by this time Del Mar, ms we'll as the
man from behind the curtains and the
valet, were provided with suits. and
one AT n time holding Elaine, the 9th.
ers put them on.
$50 ''"' "''''A N'"hAh Isdlllf UOll"
Ing an extra helmet. lie strapped IL
on her, then started 10 force her
into n suit.
struggled still. but in vain. To free
myself from the doorknob and mat. Il
was more than | could stand, and /
sank down, half conscious.
revived only long enough 10 sec
that Del Mar had forced one Of the
suits on Elaine finally. Then he
pressed n button hidden on the side of
his desk and a secret panel in the wall
opened. Picking up Elaine. he and tn,
others hurried through into what
looked like a dark passage and the
panel closed.
They were gone. ! put forth all my
remaining strength in one last drs.
p"rat" struggle, somehow. | managed
10 kick 'ho wire mat from under my
ioot, breaking the contact.
| staggered toward tho naucl. I'm,
fell to tho floor, unconscious.
.
Outside, the iron ring. as W,oodyarl