The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1915-03-12


On the label were the ominous
gcrds:
Germ Culture 6248A
Bacillus Leprae (Leprosy)
Calmly he took the knife and pro-
o"ded to make an incision in the
1ans arm. The crooks feelings un-
GrWent a terrific struggle.
Northumberland" he implored.
7 VII take you to the Clutching
land-even if he kills mel"
',ennedy stepped back, replacing
10 tube in his pocket
Very well, go ahead!" he agreed
We followed the crook, Craig still
aloing the deadly box of illuminate of
mercury carefully balanced so that
4 anyone shot him from a hiding place
t would drop
No sooner had we gone than Gertie
afcrm the Cluching Hand of our
scape
elaine had sunk back into the chair
rs the telephone rang. Clutching
land answered it.
moment later, in uncomfortable
Try he hurled the instrument to the
DOR.
'Here-we've got to act quickly
nat devil has escaped again." he
Used 1--WE must get her away. You
.eep her here. I'll be back-right
,Way-with a car"
lie dashed madly from the church,
pulling off his mask as he gained the
tceet.
kennedy had forced the crook ahead
us into the car which was waiting,
nd / followed, taking the wheel this
me.
Which way, now-quick!" demand
81 Craig. And if you get me in
yrOng-Ive got that tube yet-you re-
member"
Our crook started off with a whole
flrst of directions that rivaled the
rotor through the town. fol-
owing trolley tracks, jog right, jog
eft under the railroad bridge, leaving
rolley tracks; at the cemetery turn
ct, stopping at the old stone church"
Is this it?" asked Craig incredu.
ously.
'Yes-as l live" swore the crook
IN a cowed voice.
He had gone to pieces. Kennedy
Jumped from the machine.
Here, take this gun, Walter" he
'aid to me. Don't take your eyes off
the fellow-keep him covered"
Craig walked around the church, out
OF sight, until he came to a small
vestry window and looked in.
There was Elaine, sitting in a chair,
and near her stood an elderly-looking
man in clerical garb which to Craig's
trained eye was quite evidently dis
guise.
Elaine happened just then to glance
at the window and her eyes grew
wide with establishment at the sight
of Craig.
He made hasty motion to her to
make dash for the door, She nodded
quietly.
With glance at her guardian she
suddenly made rush.
He was at her in moment, pounc-
ing on her, catlike.
Kennedy had seized an iron bar that
lay beside the window where some
workmen had been repairing the stone
pavement, and with a blow shattered
the glass and the sash.
AT the sound of the smashing glass
the crook turned and with a mighty
effort threw Elaine aside, drawing his
revolver. AS he raised it, Elaine
sprang at him and frantically seized
his wrist.
Utterly merciless the man brought
the butt of the gun down with full
force on Elaine's head. Only her hat
and hair saved her, but she sank un-
conscious.
Then he turned at Craig and fired
twice.
One shot grazed Craig's hat, but the
other struck him in the shoulder and
Kennedy reeled.
With desperate effort he pulled
himself toward her and leaped forward
again, closing with the fellow and
wrenching the gun from him before
he could fire again.
Just then the man broke away and
made dash for the door leading back
into the church itself, with Kennedy
after him.
Up he went into the choir loft and
then into the belfry itself There they
came to sheer hand-to-hand struggle.
Kennedy tripped on loose board and
would have fallen backwards, If he had
not been able to recover himself just
in time. The crook. desperate, leaped