The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-10-01
THIRTY-SECOND EPISODE
THE sEARcHLleHT GUN.

81 don't understand IT," remarked
Elaine one day as with Aunt Joseph
ine and myself she was discussing the
strange events that had occurred since
the disappearance Of Kennedy, "but,
somehow, 1t is as IL a strange Provi-
deuce seems to be watching over u.s."
Nor do l." I agreed. 1T does seem
that, although we do not see it, a
mysterious power for good is about us.
It's uncanny."
"A package for you, Miss Dodge"
announced Marie, coming in with a
small parcel which had been delivered
by a messenger who did not wait for
ar answer.
Elaine took it, looked at it, turned It
over, and then looked at the written
address again.
IT'S not the handwriting of anyone
which l recognize" she mused. Now,
] suppose ] ought to be suspicious of
It. Yet, I'm going to open it"
She did So Inside, the paper wrap
ping covered pasteboard box She
opened that. There lay a revolver,
which she picked up and turned over.
1t was a curious looking weapon.
II never knew so much about fire.
arms as ! have learned in the last few
weeks remarked Elaine. 'But what
do you suppose this is-and who sent
1t 20 me-and Why"
She held the gun up. From the
barrel stuck out little rolled-up
piece of paper. "See," she cried, read
ing and handing the paper to me,
there it is again-that mysterious
power"
Aunt Josephine read the note:
Dear Miss Dodge:
This weapon shoots exactly into the
center of the light disk. Keep it by
you. A FRIEND"
Let me see It," asked, taking the
gun. Sure enough, along the barrel
was a peculiar tube. "A searchlight
gum" exclaimed, puzzled, though still
my suspicious were not entirely at
rest. Suppose it's sighted wrong" l
could not help considering. 1T might
be a plant to save someone from be-
ing shot"
THAT'S easily settled" returned
Elaine. Let's try it,"
"Oh, mercy, no-not here" remon-
strated Aunt Josephine.
why not--down cellar?" persisted
Elaine. ut can't hurt anything there"
II think it would be a good plan
l agreed, "just to make sure that it is
all right
Accordingly we three went down
cellar. There Elaine found the light
switch and turned it. Eagerly | hunt
ed about for a mark There, in some
rubbish that had not yet been cart
cd away, was small china plate. /
set it up on a small shelf across the
room and took the gun. But Elaine
playtully wrenched it from my hand.
NO" she insisted, ut was sent to
me. Let me try it first"
Reluctantly / consented.
Switch off the light, Walter,
please" she directed, standing few
PAGES from the plate.
did so. In the darkness Elaine
pointed the gun and pulled the little
ratchet. Instantly spot of light
showed on the wall. She moved the
revolver and the spot of light moved
with it. AS it rested on little deco
rative figure in the center of the plate
she pulled the trigger. The gun ex-
ploded with report, deafening, in the
confines Of the cellar.
switched on the light and we ran
forward. There was the plate
smaehed into a hundred bits. The bull
lot he'd struck exactly in the center of
the little bull's-eye of light.
splendid" cried Elaine enthusi-'
astically as we looked at each other
in surprise.
Though none of us guessed it, half
an hour before, in the seclusion of
his yacht, Woodworth's friend, Pro-