Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-06-03

hand. French waited In the hall be-
low, also armed. Laura gripped Lee
nora's arm in excitement.
They've got him now!" she ex-
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 I have toiled 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
a dogs death is none too good for
you"
Craig seemed to sway for a moment
upon his feet. Only Lenora, from tho
hall. saw that he was fitting his right
foot into what seemed to be a leath.
er loop hanging from the banisters
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
to revolve. Craig. clinging to the
banisters, disappeared. In a moment
or two there was a 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
a door. Quest rushed for 1t 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 It for support.
Lenora, with Quest and French.
searched hastily amongst the packing
cases. Suddenly there was loud
crack. the sound Of falling masonry,
followed by scream from Laura.
French, with 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.
Il haven't" Laura faltered trying
to open her eyes, "and I'm not going
to- but I think my arms broken, and
my side hurts
THE fellows not down here. any.
way" Quest declared. Let's help her
upstairs and get her out OF this
devils house."
They supported her up the steps
and found q 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
iere. French, this Is the original stair
case. There's the leather loop.
know 1t 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 little sheep
ish.
What's wronge" French demand
ed.
He's gone off," was the unwilling
reply. II guess that chaps given us
the slip"
Speak up." French insisted
The only place." the man went on
we hadn't our eyes glued on was
the front door. He must have come
out through that. There's been a
motortruck with enc or two queer
looking chaps in II at the corner oi
the avenue there for the last ten min
utes> I'd Just made up my mind tt
stroll round and see what II was ur
J to when Jim, who was on the other
side, shouted out. A man jumped ur
into II and they made OF at once"
The inspectors rubicund counte
nance was white with fury. His head
J kept turning in the direction OF Laura
; to whom the professor was busy rem
, dering first aid.
III never take another Job nn ::