The Ordway new era., 1915-11-12
THIRTY-sEC0ND EPISODE
THE sEARcHLIGHr GUN.

II don't understand IT," remarked
Elaine one day as with Aunt Joseph
inc and myself she was discussing the
strange events that had occurred since
the disappearance of Kennedy, but,
somehow, it is as II a strange Provi-
dence seems to be watching over US"
Nor do l." agreed. ut does seem
that, although we do not see 1t, q
mysterious power for good is about us.
It's uncanny.'
"A package for you, Miss Dodge"
announced Marie. coming in with q
small parcel which had been delivered
by a messenger who did not wait for
an answer.
Elaine took It, looked at 1t, turned It
over, and then looked at the written
address again.
Its not the handwriting Of anyone
which recognize" she mused. 'Now.
I suppose ought to be suspicious of
it. Yet. I'm going to open It"
She did so. Inside. the paper wrap
ping covered q pasteboard box. She
opened that. There lay revolver,
which she picked up and turned over.
It was a curious looking weapon.
II never knew SO much about fire.
arms as have learned in the last few
weeks" remarked Elaine. But what
do you suppose this is-and who sent
1t to me-and why?"
She held the gun up. From the
barrel stuck out little rolled-Yp
piece Of paper. "See." she cried, read
ing and handing the paper to me.
there 1t is again-that mysterious
power"
Aunt Josephine read the note:
Dear Miss Dodge:
This weapon shoots exactly into the
center of the light disk. Keep it by
you. A FRIEND"
Let me see It," I asked, taking the
gun. Sure enough, along the barrel
was a peculiar tube. "A searchlight
gun," I exclaimed, puzzled, though still
my susrtcians were not entirely at
rest. Suppose it's sighted wrong" I
could not help considering. 1T might
be a plant to save someone from be-
ing shot," =,
"That's easily settled" returned
Elaine. Let's try It."
"Oh, mercy, no-not here" remon-
strated Aunt Josephine.
why not-down CELLAR" persisted
Elaine, 1T can't hurt anything there
..I think It would be good plan.
agreed. "just to make sure that 1t Is
all right" ...
Accordingly we three went down
cellar. There Elaine found the light
switch and turned 1t. Eagerly hunt
ed about for a mark. There, in some
rubbish that had not yet been cart
ed away, was q small china plate. I
set It up on a small shelf across the
room and took the gun. But Elaine
playfully wrenched 1t from my hand.
NO" she insisted, 1T was sent to
me. Let me try 1t first"
Reluctantly ! consented.
Switch off the light, Walter,
please" she directed, standing q few
PAGES from the plate.
did so. In the darkness Elaine
pointed the gun and pulled the little
ratchet. Instantly a spot of light
showed on the wall. She moved the
revolver and the spot Of light moved
with It. As it rested on little deco
rative figure in the center Of the plate
she pulled the trigger. The gun ex.
ploded with a report, deafening, in the
confines Of the cellar.
l switched on the light and we ran
forward. There was the plate
smashed into hundred bits. The bul.
let had struck exactly in the center OF
the little bull's-eye Of light.
Splendid" cried Elaine enthusi
estically as we looked at each other
In surprise.
Thoug,. noEe Of us guessed it, hall
- hour tef.re. IN the seclusion OF
sAs yxeht Wosdworth's friend. Pro