The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1915-06-26

met them In the hall, He, too, seemed
to have lost to some extent his Gus
tomary equanimity.
Come this way, my friends" he In
vited 'If Craig keeps his word, ne
will be here now within a few min
utes. This way"
They followed him into the library.
Chairs were arranged around the table
in the middle Of the room and they
ali sat down. The professor took out
his watch. 1t was rlve minutes 70
ten
IN a few minutes" he continued
solemnly. "this weight Is to be lifted
from the minds of all of us. have come
to the conclusion that on this occa-
sion Craig will keep his word. am
not sure, mind, but believe that he
is in the house at this present moment.
have heard movements In the room
which belonged. to him. ] have not
interfered. have been content to
wait"
'He has at least not tried escape
Quest remarked. French here brought
news of him., He has been living with
his niece very quietly, but without
any particular attempt at concealment
or any signs Of wishing to leave the
city" :.
Il had that girl brought to my ofiice,"
French remarked, barely an hour ago,
but she slipped away while we were
talking. Say, what's that?'
They all rose quickly to their feet.
In momentary lull Of the storm they
could hear distinctly q girls shriil
calling from outside, followed BY the
clamor OF angry voices
Gee! / bet that's the girl" French
exclaimed. Shed been looking up
the professors address in directory
They all. hurried out into the hall.
The plainclothes man whom they had
left on guard was standing there with
his hand upon Craig's collar. The
girl, sobbing bitterly, was clinging TO
his arm. Craig was making desperate
efforts to escape. Directly he saw the
little party issue from the library. how
ever. the strength seemed to pass from
his limbs. He remained in the clutches
Of his captor, limp and helpless.
i Il caught the girl trying to make heI
way into the house, the latter ex
planned "She called out and this man
came running downstairs, right into
my arms"
:. 1T is quite all right" the professor
said, in a dignified tone. "You may
release them both. Craig was on his
way to keep an appointment here al
ten o'clock. Quest, will you and the
inspector bring him in? Let US re
sumo our places at the table
The little procession made its way
down the hall. The girl was still
clinging to her uncle.
what are they going to do to you
these peopIe?" she sobbed, They
sha'nt hurt you. They sha'n't!"
Lenora passed her arm around the
girl.
'Of course not, dear" she said
soothingly. your uncle has come o.
his own free will to answer a few
questions, only think it would b'
better If you would let me-
Lenora never finished her sentensa
They had reached the entrance now tt
the library. The professor was stand
: ing in the doorway with extended
. hand, motioning them to take theil
: places at the table. Then, with ne
form Of warning. the room seemed
suddenly filled with a blaze OF blus
light. 1t came at first in thin fasi
from the window to the table. became
Immediately multiplied Thousand
times, played round the table u
sparks, which suddenly expanded 4
sheets of leaping, curling flame. Th'
roar OF thunder shook the very foun
dations of the house-and then silence
For several seconds not one OF then
seemed to have the power Of speech
An amazing thing had happened. In
oak table in the middle of the room
was a charred fragment, the chair
were every one blackened remnants.
"A thunderbolti" French gasped q
last.
Quest was the first to cross tn
room. From the table to the outsid
window was one charred. black lin
which had burnt its way through tn
! carpet He threw open the window
: The wire whose course he had fol
lowed ended here with little luml
: of queer substance. He broke 1t OF
from the end of the wire, which wa
absolutely brittle and natureiess, ant
brought It into the room.
What is it?' Lenora faltered.