The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

toward him. he waited. cold sweat
breaking out on his face,
Say" he whined. you let me bel"
ID was Intellectual. Kennedy smil-
ing confidently, came closer, still hold
ing the deadly little box, balanced be.
tween two fingers
He took the crooks gun and dropped
II into his pocket.
"Sit down." ordered Craig.
Outside, the other six parleyed In
hoarse whispers. One raised a gun,
but the woman aud the others re-
strained him and fed
Take me TO your masterl" de-
manded Kennedl
The crook remain 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 / had seen him
place there
mo matter how much you accuse
me-" added Craig casually, mo one
will ever take the word of a crook
that reputable scientist like me
would do what | am about TO do"
He had taken out his penknife and
opened IT, Then he beckoned 10 me.
Bare his arm and hold his wrist
Walter" ho said.
Craig bent down with the knife and
the tube, then paused a moment and
turned TO tube so that we could see It,
On the label were the ominous
words:
Germ Culture 624sk
Bacillus Leprae (Leprosy)
Calmly he took the knife and pro
ceeded to make an incision in the
mans arm. The crooks feelings un-
derwent a terrific struggle.
"No-no-no-dont," he implored
q will take you TO the Clutching
Hand-even If he kills met"
Kennedy stepped back, replacing
the tube in his pocket
Very well, go ahead" he agreed.
We followed the crook, Craig still
holding the deadly box of illuminate of
mercury carefully balanced so that
If anyone shot him from a hiding place
it would drop.
No sooner had we gone than Gertie
hurried to the nearest telephone TO
inform the Cluching Hand of our
escape.
Elaine had sunk back into the chair
as the telephone rang. Clutching
Hand answered it,
moment later in uncomfortable
fury he hurled the instrument to the
floor.
"Here-we've got to act quickly
that devil has escaped again." he
hissed. I'VE must get her away. You
keep her here. I'll be back-right
away-with a car"
He dashed madly from the church,
pulling off his mask as he gained the
street.
Kennedy had forced the crook ahead
of us into the car which was waiting,
and I followed, taking the wheel this
time.
Which way, now-quick!" demand
ed Craig. And if you get me in
wrong-I'ye got that tube yet-you re-
member"
Our crook started off with whole
burst of directions that rivaled the
motor guide-"through the town, fol-
lowing trolley tracks, jog right, jog
left under the railroad bridge, leaving
trolley tracks; at the cemetery turn
left, stopping at the old stone church"
rs this it?" asked Craig incredu-
lously.
"Yes-as I live" swore the crook
in a cowed voice
He had gone to pieces. Kennedy
jumped from the machine
Here, take this gun, Walter he
said 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 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 Craigs
trained eye was quite evidently a dis
guise.
Elaine happened just then to glance |
at the window and her eyes grew
wide with astonishment at the sight
of Craig.
He made hasty motion to her to .
make dash for the door. She nodded
quietly.
With a glance at her guardian she
made a 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
and with 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 franticaIly seized
his wrist
Utterly merciless the man brought
the butt of the gun down with full
force on Elaines head. Only her hat
and hair saved her, but she sank un-
conscious.
Then he turned at Craig and fred
twice
One shot grazed Craig's hat, but the
other struck him in the shoulder and
Kennedy reeled