Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-08-12

nora's arm In excitement.
They've got him now!" she e1-
claimed Got him sure
On the fourth or fifth stair Craig
hesitated He suddenly saw the pro
fessor standing below He gripped
the banisters with one hand. The
other he flung out in q threatening
gesture
You've given me away to these
bloodhounds' he cried-'you. for
whom have tolled and shaved. whom
have followed all over the world.
whom | have served faithfully with
the last breath OF my body and the
last drop OF blood In my veins. You
have brought them here-tracked me
down, You,"
The professor shook his head sor-
rowfully
Craig" he said. you have been
the best servant man ever had. II
you are innocent OF these crimes you
can clear yourself II you are guilty
dogs death is none too good for
you"
Craig seemed to sway for a moment
upon his feet. Only Lenora. from the
hall saw that he was fitting his right
foot into what seemed to be a leath-
or loop hanging from the bansters
Then wild shout of surprise broke
from the lips OF all OF them. followed
by a moment OF stupefied wonder
The whole staircase suddenly began
clf al 10 10
banisters. disappeared In a moment
or two there was fresh click An
other set of stairs. identical to the
first. had taken their place
The cellar" Quest shouted. as he
rushed down the stairs. Quick"
They wrenched open the wooden
door and hurried down the dark steps
into the gloomy. unlit cellar. The
place was crowded with packing cases
and two large wine barrels stood in
the corner. At the farther end was
door. Quest rushed for It and stood
guard. A moment later. however. he
called to Laura and pressed his re-
volver into her hand
Stand there" he ordered Shoot
him II he tries to run out I'll search
In the packing cases. He might be
dangerous"
The professor. out OF breath. was
leaning against one OF the pillars
his arm passed around II for support
Lenora. with Quest and French
searched hastily amongst the packing
cases. Suddenly there was a loud
crack. the sound OF falling masonry.
followed by a scream from Laura
French. with a roar OF anger. rushed
toward her. She was lying on her
side, already half covered by falling
bricks and masonry. He dragged her
away. just in time.
MY God, she's tainted" he ex.
claimed
i haven't" Laura faltered. trying
to open her eyes. and I'm not going
to. but think my arms broken. and
my side hurts"
THE fellows not down here, any.
way" Quest declared Lets help her
upstairs and get her out OF this
devils house"
They supported her up the stems
and found a chair for her in the hall
The Inspector swung open the tele-
phone cupboard and called for an am
bulance. Then Quest, who had been
examining the staircase, suddenly
gave little exclamation
Hes done us!" he cried. Look
here. French, this is the original stair
case. There's the leather loop. I
know II because there was a crack on
the fourth stair. When we rushed
down the cellar after him, he swung
the thing round again and simply
walked out OF the front door. Damn
1t. man, It's open,"
They hurried outside. French blew
his whistle. One OF the plain clothes
men came running up from the ave-
nue.. He was looking a little sheen
ish
Whats wrong?" French demand
ed.
He's gone on" was the unwilling
reply. Il guess that chaps given us
the Slip"
Speak up" French insisted.
The only place." the man went on.
I'VE hadn't our eyes glued on was
the front door. He must have come
out through that. There's been
motortruck with one or two queer.
looking chaps in It at the corner OF
the avenue there for the last ten min
utes. I'd Just made up my mind 10
stroll round and see what It was up
IN when lin who UNA nm tba o.kx.
side. shouted out. A man jumped Up
into 1t and they made on at once"
The Inspectors rubicund counte-
nance was white with fury. His head
kept turning In the direction OF Laura,
to whom the professor was busy rem.
dering first aid.
III never take another lob on A