The Raymer enterprise., 1915-12-23

Seconds were precious.
Quickly he went to the corner of
the house. There was a water pipe.
He began to climb 1t, risking its pre-
carious support.
On the roof at last, the naturalist
crawled along, looking for some way
Of getting into the house. But he
could not seem to find any. Carefully
he crawled to the edge of the roof
and looked over. Below he could
hear sounds, but could make nothing
of them.
From his pocket he took the leather
case and opened It. There was q Pc
culiar arrangement, like some OF the
collapsible arms on which telephone
instruments are often fastened to a
desk or wall, capable of being col
lapsed into small space or of being ex-
tended for some distance. On the
thing was arranged system Of mir
rors, which the naturalist adjusted.
1t was pocket periscope.
He thrust the thing over the edge
of the roof and down, and looked
through 1t. Below, he could see into
the room from which came the pecu-
liar sounds.
He looked anxiously. There he could
see Elaine endeavoring still to loosen
the cords and unable to do so. Only
for a moment he looked. Then he
folded up the pocket periscope in the
case and showed 1t back into his pock-
ct. Quickly he crossed the roof again
and slid down the rain-pipe.
At the door stood three Of Del Mars
men waiting for Del Mar who had told
them he would follow Immediately.
The naturalist had by this time
reached the ground and was going
along carefully back to the house.
He drew his revolver and. pointing it
down, fired. Then he lodged back Of
an extension and disappeared for the
moment.
Instantly the three men sprang up
and ran toward the spot where it
seemed the shot had been fired. There
was no one about the side of the
house. But the wind had carried the
smoke into some bushes beside the
grove, and they crashed into the
bushes, beating about.
| At the same time, the naturalist,
having first waited until he saw which
way the men were going, dashed about
the house In the opposite direction.
Then he slipped. unopposed and unob-
served, in through the open front
door, up the stairs and along to the
room into which he had just been look
ing. He unlocked the door and en-
tered. Elaine was still struggling with
the cords when she caught sight OF
the stranger. r-
mot world" he cautioned under
his breath.
She was indeed too frightened to cry
out. Quickly he loosened her, still
holding his finger to his lips to enjoin
silence.
Follow mel he whispered.
She obeyed mechanically, and then
went out into the hall. On downstairs
went the naturalist, Elaine still keep.
ing close after him.
He looked out through the front
door, then drew back Quickly he went
through the lower hall until he came
to the back door In the kitchen, Elaine
following. He unbolted the door and
opened 1t.
run" he said. simply, pointing out
Of the door. They're coming back
the other way. I'll hold them"
She needed no further urging, but
darted from the house as he closed
the door after her.
1t was just at this point that Del
Mar came riding along the main road
on horseback. He pulled up suddenly
as he saw a car run In alongside the
road.
That's Elaine's runabout," he NUT
tered, as he dismounted and tied his
horse. "How came 1t here?'
He approached the car, much wor
ried by its unaccountable presence
there instead of before the st. Ger
main. Then he drew his gun and hur
ried up the side road.
He heard shot and quickened his
pace. In the woods Unexpectedly he
came upon his three men still beating
about, searching with drawn revolver.
for the person who had fred the shot
"Well?" he demanded, sharply
whats all this?"
Someone fired a shot" they ex
planned, somewhat crestfallen.
1T was a trick, you FOOLS" he an
swered testify. Get back to you
prisoner
Without a word they turned ant
hurried toward the house. Del Ma
following. You two go in," he or
dered the foremost. "I'll 30 arount
; the house with Patrick"
, AS Del Mar and the other man raj
: around the corner they could jus
catch fleeting glimpse of someone
disappearing into the trees.
1t was Elaine.
The man hurried forward, blazini
away with his gun.