Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-03-02

hand. French waited In the hall be-
low, also armed. Laura gripped Le-
nora's arm in excitement.
"They've got him now!" she ex.
claimed. Got him, sure!'
On the fourth or fifth stair Craig
hesitated. He suddenly saw the pro-
fessor standing below. He gripped
the banisters with n hand. The
other he flung out in a threatening
gesture.
You've given me away to these
bloodhounds!" he cried-"you, for
whom l have toiled and shaved. whom
l have followed all over the world,
whom I have served faithfully with
the last breath Of my body and the
last drop of blood in my veins! You
have brought them here-tracked me
down! You!"
The professor shook his head sor
rowfully.
Craig he said, you have been
the best servant man ever had. II
you are innocent of these crimes you
can clear yourself. If you are guilty
a dogs death is none too good for
you"
Craig seemed to sway for a moment
upon his feet. Only Lenora, from the
hall, saw that he was fitting his right
foot into what seemed to be a leath-
er loop hanging from the b%anisters.
Then a wild shout of surprise broke
from the lips of all Of them, followed
by a moment Of %stupefed wonder.
The whole staircase suddenly began
to revolve. Craig, clinging to the
banisters, disappeared. In a moment
or two there was a fresh click. An
other set Of stairs, identical to the
first, had taken their place.
THE CELLAR" Quest shouted, as he
rushed down the stairs. Quick"
They wrenched open the wooden
door and hurried down the dark steps
into the gloomy, unlit cellar. The
place was crowded with packing cases
and two large wine barrels stood in
the corner. At the farther end was
a door. Quest rushed for it and stood
guard. A moment later, however. he
called to Laura and pressed his re-
volver into her hand.
Stand there" he ordered. "Shoot
him If he tries to run out. I'll search
in the packing cases. He might be
dangerous"
The professor, out Of breath, was
leaning against n Of the pillars,
his arm passed around 1t for support.
Lenora, with Quest and French.
searched hastily amongst the packing
cases. Suddenly there was a loud
crack, the sound of falling masonry,
followed by a scream from Laura.
French. with a roar Of anger, rushed
toward her. She was lying on her
side, already half covered by falling
bricks and masonry. He dragged her
away, Just in time.
my God, she's fainted!" he ex.
claimed.
Il haven't" Laura faltered, trying
to open her eyes, land I'm not going
to, but I think my arms broken, and
my side hurts"
THE fellows not down here. any
way" Quest declared. Let's help her
upstairs and get her out Of this
devils house."
They supported her up the steps
and found a chair for her in the hall.
The inspector swung open the tele'
phone cupboard and called for an am
bulance. Then Quest. who had been
examining the staircase, suddenly
gave a little exclamation.
Hes done u.s." he cried. LOOK
here. French, this is the original stair
case. There's the leather loop.
know 1t because there was a crack on
the fourth stair. When we rushed
down the cellar after him, he swung
the thing round again and simply
walked out of the front door. Damn
1t, man, It's open!"
They hurried outside. French blew
his whistle. One Of the plain-clothes
men came running up from the ave
nue.. He was looking a little sheep
ish.
What's wrong?" French demand
ed.
He's gone off," was the unwilling
reply. II guess that chaps given III
the slip"
Speak up" French insisted.
THE only place." the man went on
I'VE hadn't our eyes glued on wal
the front door. He must have come
out through that. There's been
motortruck with one or two queer
looking chaps in 1t at the corner o.
the avenue there for the last ten min
utes. I'd Just made up my mind Il
stroll round and e what 1t was III
to when Jim, who was on the othel
side, shouted out. A nan jumped NJ
into 1t and they made OF at once"
The inspectors rubicund counte
nance was white with fury. His heat
kept turning in the direction of Laura
to whom the professor was busy rem
dering first aid.
III l never take another Job on q!