The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-04-06

Simmonds? They're blood. Did you
notice the stains, doctor?"
Yes" said Human. II think they're
blood stains. That will be easy enough
to determine"
Whose blood is it?" asked Sim
monds, and L could see that even his
armor had been penetrated.
Well" answered Godfrey smiling,
science isn't able, as yet, to identify
the blood Of individuals; but I'd be
wiling to give odds that it's SWANS
blood. My idea is that Silva got the
blood for the finger prints from the
blood soaked handkerchief, which
Swain probably dropped when he fled
from the arbor, and which Silva picked
up and dropped beside the chair, after
ne was through with 1t, as an additional
bit OF evidence"
That's reasonable enough" agreed
Hinman, with a quick nod, but what
can't understand is how he made
these reproductions"
Godfrey sat down again and contem-
plated the glove pensiVely for some
moments. Then he turned to me.
Where is that book of finger prints
you spoke about. Lester" he asked.
l went to the bookcase and got 1t
out. Godfrey took it and began to
turn the pages quickly.
SWANS name is in the index,"I said,
and he glanced at 1t, and then turned
to the place weber the page had been.
Which reminds me-" said Human,
with a rueful smile, that l concocted
very pretty theory to account for that
missing page. felt quite Chesty about
1t! I'm glad it didn't throw Miss
Vaughan off the scent!"
so am II" agreed Godfrey, for it
must have been this missing page
which gave Miss Vaughan her first
suspicion of the truth. Perhaps it was
pure inspiration-or perhaps she knew
that Silva could reproduce finger
prints. We shall learn when we hear
her story. In any event, it's a clever
tr1ck-and easy enough when you know
howl"
Like standing the egg on end" I
suggested.
Precisely. Every trick is easy when
you work it backwards. But just think,
Simmonds," he added, what problems
the police will have to face, II gloves
like these become fashionable among
craCksmen!"
Simmonds groaned dismally.
You haven't told us yet how it was
DONE" he said.
bit back a smile, for Simmond's
tone was that Of pupil to master.
We'll" said Godfrey, slowly, 1T
might be done in several ways. The
ia 81 lhiL5 ID " BCl d SOOu set Oh the
prints to be reproduced. That Silva
got from this album. The molds might
be made by cutting them in wood or
metal; but that would take an expert
| and besides, l fancy 1t would be too
slow for Silva. He had a quicker way
than that-perhaps by transferring
them to a plate of zinc or copper and
then eating them out with acid. Once
the mold is secured, it is merely a
question Of pressing India rubber mix
ture nto it and then heating the rub
ber until 1t hardens-just as a rubber
stamp is made. The whole process
would take only few hours"
Simmonds drew a deep breath.
ut may be simple" he said, but that
much too clever to be at large. We've
got to get him."
BE sure of one thing" retorted Cod
frey. you'll find it harder to catch
him than it was to let him go! He
won't walk into your arms. Not that
blame you, Simmonds," he added; but
l blame those muckle headed men of
yours-and l blame myself for not
keeping my eyes open. Here's the glove
take good care of 1t. 1t means
SWANS acquittal. And now there is
one other thing I want to see before we
go to bed. Suppose we make a little
excursion to the roof"
Simmonds, as he wrapped the glove in
his handkerchief and put it in his
pocket.
You know how fond you are Of fire
Works!" retorted Godfrey smiling, and
started for the door.
II haven't the slightest idea what
you're talking about" said Human,
but I'm as curious as an old woman
and like fireworks, tool"
Come along, then" laughed God
frey and led the way up the stairs.
This time We'll go as quietly az we
CAM" he added, over his shoulder.
In the entry at the top of the stairs
leading to the attic story was a heavy
closed door, and Godfrey looked at is
with a smile.
do you suppose those two German
servants have slept on through all this
excitement? ?" he asked; and we found
afterwards that they had!
The flare Of Godfrey's torch disclosed
third flight Of stairs at the end Of
the entry, and. when we reached the
foot Of these and looked up, we found
ourselves gazing at the stars.
"Ah!" said Godfrey; II thought so!
The stage was set, ready for the cur
tain, and then the leading lady failed
to appear. So the villain went in
in her hand, and started to suppress
her, when our timely arrival inter-
ruptei him! Gentlemen, I think I can
promise you a most interesting demon
stration. What did Miss Vaughan call
it, LESTER"
IAN astral benedition," / said.
That's it," said Godfrey, and led the
way up the steps.
There was a wide, hinged trap door
at the top, lying open, and we stepped
through it out upon the roof. Here
had been built a platform about eight
feet square, with a low railing around
it. saw Godfrey's torch playing
rapidly over the boards of the platform.
then he marshaled us in the middle OF
1t.
Stand here in a row." he said, fac
ing the west. Extend your arms to the
heavens and concentrate your gaze up
on that big star up yonder. Go ahead.
DOCTOR" he urged as Human hesttated
We're trying to persuade an astral
visitor to pay us call, and 1t takes
team work"
We stood silent a moment, with our
arms above our heads, and could hear
Godfrey shifting his feet cautiously
along the boards Of the floor.
What's that" cried Simmonds, for
from the darkness at our feet, had come
a soft whirr as of bird taking flight
Look" cried Human. LookI"
High above our heads a point OF
flame appeared, frightened and burned
steel blue. For a moment 1t hung
there then II grew brighter and bright