The Ordway new era., 1915-05-21

breaking out on MS lace.
Say" he whined. you let me bel"
/ II was Intellectual. Kennedy. smil-
| ing confidently. came closer, still hold
| ing the deadly little box. balsnced be-
tween two fingers.
| He took the crooks gun and dropped
| It into his pocket.
"Sit down." ordered Craig.
Outside, the other six parleyed in
hoarse whispers. One raised gun.
but the woman and the others re-
strained him and Ned.
Take me to your master!" de-
manded Kennedy.
The crook remained silent. f,
Where IL he7" repeated Craig.
"Tell me-" @ 4
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.
"No matter how much you accuse
me-" added Craig casually. mo one
will ever take the word Of crook
that reputable scientist like me
would do what am about to do"
He had taken out his penknife and
| opened 1t. Then he beckoned to me.
Bare his arm and hold his wrist.
Walter" he 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 6248A
Bacillus Lsprae (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-don't." he implored.
II will take you to the Clutching
Hand-even II he kills mel"
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 30 that
II anyone shot him from a hiding place
1t 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 1t.
A 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. Ill be back-right
away--with q car"
He dashed madly from the church.
pulling on his mask as he gained the
street.
Kennedy had forced the crook ahead
Of US into the car which was waiting.
and followed. taking the wheel this
time.
which way. now-quick!" demand
ed Craig. And II you get me In
wrong-I've got that tube yet-you re-
member"
Our crook started OF with whole
burst OF directions that rivaled the
| motor guide-''through the town. fol-
lowing trolley tracks. jog right. jog
L
trolley tracks: at the cemetery turn
left, stopping at the old stone church."
rs this it!" asked Craig incredu.
lously.
"Yes-as I iivs," 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 on
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 chair,
and near her stood an elderly-lookins
man In clerical sarb, 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 astonishment at the sight
of Craig.
He made a hasty motion to her to
make a dash for the door. She nodded
quietly.
With a glance at her guardian she
suddenly made rush.
He was at her In a 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 blow shattered
the glass and the sash.
At the sound OF the smashing glass
the crook turned and with mighty
effort threw Elaine aside, drawing his
revolver. As he raised 1t. Elaine
sprang at him and frantically seized
his wrist.
Utterly merciless the man brought
the butt of the gun down with full