The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-24

SmaH parlOr- fleaTy porlefe8 uuu8
over the doorway into the han, Sover
another into back room and over
the bay windows.
Wont you sit down a momentY"
coaxed Gertie Pm quite blown to
pieces after that ride. Ny, how you
driye!"
AS she pulled aside the hail por-
there's. three men. with guns thrust
their hands out turned. Two 9th
ers had stepped from the back room
and two more from the bay window.
We were surrounded. Seven guns
were aimed as us with deadly preci-
sion
Gentlemen" he said quietly. Il
suspected some such thing II have
here small box of illuminate of mer-
curry If l drop it, this building and
the entire vicinity will be blown to
atoms. Go ahead-shootl" he added.
nonchalantly.
er hurriedly.
He calmly sat down in an arm
chair, leaning back as he carefully
balanced the deadly little box of full
inmate of mercury on his knee.
Gertie ran from the room.
For a moment they looked at each
other, undecided Then. one by one,
they stepped away from Kennedy to-
ward the door.
The leader was the last to go. He
had scarcely taken step.
Stop" ordered Kennedy.
The crook did SO. AS Craig moved
toward him, he waited, cold sweat
breaking out on his face.
Say, he whined, YOU let me bel"
1t was Intellectual. Kennedy, smil-
ing confidently, came closer, still hold
ing the deadly little box, balsnced be
tween two fingers.
He took the crooks gun and dropped
it into his pocket
'Sit DOWN." ordered Craig.
Outside, the other six parleyed in
hoarse whispers. One raised a gun,
but the woman and the others re.
strained him and fed.
Take me to your master!" de
manded Kennedy.
The crook remained silent
Where is he?" repeated Craig
Tell mel"
Still the man remained silent
Craig looked the fellow over again
Then, still with that confident smile
he reached into his inside pocket and
drew forth the tube l had seen hin
place there.
mo matter how much you accuse
me-" added Craig casually. mo ont
will ever take the word of a crool
: that a reputable scientist like mt
would do what am about to do"
He had taken out his penknife ant
opened it. Then he beckoned to me
Bare his arm and hold his wrist
Walter" he said.
Craig bent down with the knife ant
the tube, then paused a moment ant
: turned to tube so that we could see II
On the label were the ominou
words:
Germ Culture s24sA
. Bacillus Leprae (Leprosy)
l Calmly he, took the knife and rrc
ceeded to make an incision in tn
mans arm. The crooks feelings III
derwent terrific struggle.
/. No-no-no-don't," he imploret
81 will take you to the Clutchin
Hand-eyen if he kills mel"
Kennedy stepped back, replacin
> the tube in his pocket.
very well, go ahead" he agreed.
We followed the crook, Craig sti
II holding the deadly box of illuminate
!. mercury carefully balanced so ths
- if anyone shot him from hiding plac
it would drop.
- No sooner had we gone than Cert
~ hurried to the nearest telephone [
s inform the Cluching Hand Of OF
h escape.
,, Elaine had sunk back into the cha
n as the telephone rang. ClutchiI
IS Hand answered it.
Nv A moment later, in uncontrollab
k fury he hurled the instrument to Il
floor.
c. "Here-we've got to act quickly
er that devil has escaped again."
Kissed. I'VE must get her away. YC
g keep her here. I'll be back-rigl
~ away-with a car"
r. He dashed madly from the churc
pulling off his mask as he gained Il
street.
or Kennedy had forced the crook abe;
N of us into the car which was waitin
on and I followed, taking the wheel tn
40 time.
-, Which way, now-quick!" deman
hu ed Craig. And if you get me
M wrong-I've got that tube yet-you !
member"
ne Our crook started on with a who
ne burst of directions that rivaled t
motor guide-''through the town,
no lowing trolley tracks. jog right, j
ne left under the railroad bridge, leavi
-, trolley tracks; at the cemetery tn
= left. stopping at the old stone churcl
is this it?" asked Craig incret
lousy.
"Yes-as l i've" swore the Gro
ot in a cowed voice.
He had gone to pieces. Kenne
jumped from the machine.
on Here, take this gun, Walter"
said to me. Don't take your eyes
Nv the fellow-keep him covered"
Craig walked around the church,
of sight, until he came to SIN
aid yestry window and looked in.
MT There was Elaine, sitting in a Oh,
and near her stood an elderlylook
man in clerical garb. which to Graf
led trained eye was quite evidently
. y, guise.
Elaine happened just then to glal
he at the window and her eyes 81
Il wide with establishment at the ST
of Craig.
red He made a hasty motion to her
make dash for the door. She nod,
the quietly.
With glance at her guardian
mo suddenly made a rush.