The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-08-13

He Was Wearin!
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, surei"
On the fourth or fifth stair Craig
hesitated. He suddenly saw the pro-
lessor standing below. He gripped
the banisters with one hand The
other he flung out in a threatening
gesture
you've given me away to these
bloodhounds," he cried-"you, for
whom / 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. If
you are innocent of these crimes you
can clear yourself. If you are guilty
a dogs death Is, none too good for
you"
Craig seemed to sway for moment
upon his feet. Only Lenora, from the
hall, saw that he was fitting his right
foot into what seemed to be leath-
er loop hanging from the banisters.
Then a 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 moment
or two there was a fresh click An
| other set of stairs, identical to tht
first, had taken their place.
THE cellar!" Quest shouted, as h'
rushed down the stairs. Quick"
They wrenched open the woodei
door and hurried down the dark step
into the gloomy, unlit cellar. TIL
4 place was crowded with packing case
and two large wine barrels stood II
the corner. At the farther end wa
a door Quest rushed for it and stoo,
guard. A moment later, however, h
called to Laura and pressed his re
voiver into her hand.
Stand there" he ordered. "Shoo
him II he tSies to run out. I'll searcl
in the packing cases. He might b.
dangerous.
The professor out of breath, wa
leaning against one of the pillars
his arm passed around 1t for support
Lenora, with Quest and French
searched hastily amongst the packing
cases. Suddenly there was lou,
crack, the sound of falling masonry
followed by a scream from Laura
| French, with roar of anger, rushe,
toward her She was lying on he
side, already half covered by falling
bricks and masonry. He dragged he
away, just in time.
my God, she's fainted!" he eS
claimed
Il haven't" Laura faltered, trying
to open her eyes, "and I'm not goin;
to. but think my arms broken. an,
my side hurts"
THE fellows not down here, any
way" Quest declared. Lets help he
upstairs and get her out of thi
devils house."
They supported her up the step
and found a chair for her in the hal
The Inspector swung open the tele
phone cupboard and called for an an
bulance. Then Quest, who had bee
examining the staircase. suddenl
gave little exclamation.
Hes done us!" he cried loo
here. French. this is the original stail
case. There's the leather loop.
know it because there was crack o
the fourth stair. When we rushe
down the cellar after him, he swun
the thing round again and simpl
walked out of the front door Dam
it, man, it's open!"
They hurried outside. French Bile
his whistle. One of the plain-clothe
men came running up from the av'
: nue.. He was looking a little sheel
| ish.
! What's wrong?" French deman,
ed.
: He's gone on" was the unwillin
reply. Il guess that chaps given U
: the slip"
Speak up" French insisted
"The only place" the man went o.
/. eve hadn't our eyes glued on wa
> the front door. He must have com
] out through that There's been
? motortruck with one or two quee
: looking chaps in it at the corner I
the avenue there for the last ten mi
: utes. I'd just made up my mind
' stroll round and see what 1t was I
3 to when Jim, who was on the oths
side, shouted out. A man jumped Y
= into 1t and they made OF at once.
/ The inspectors ruhicund count
q nance was white with fury His hes
0 kept turning In the direction of Laur
Y to whom the professor was busy re
n dering first aid
$ IF never take another Job on