Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-04-05

at the top, lying p e and we stepped
through 1T out upon the roof. Here
had been built a platform about eight
feet square,, with Il low railing around
1T. saw Godfrey's torch playing
rapidly over the boards of the platform.
then he marshaied us in the middle of
it.
Stand here in a row. he said. fac
ing the west. Extend your arms to the
aver and concentrate your gaze up
on that big star up yonder. Go ahead.
doctor" he urged. as Human hcsitated.
We're trying to persuade an astral
visitor to a usa call, and it takes
team work"
We stood silent Il moment. with our
arms above our heads, and 4 could hear
Godfrey shifting his feet cautiously
along tine boards of the floor
What's that" cried Simmonds. for.
from the darkness at our feet. had come
a soft whirr as of a bird taking flight.
Look" cried Human. Look"
High above our heads a point OF
Tame appeared. frightened and burned
steel blue. For a moment it hung
mere, then 1T grew brighter and bright
or, and l knew that it was descending.
Lower n lower it came, until it how
cred in the air just above us; then it
burst into 10000 0 sparks and van
ished.
Fol- a moment. no one spoke: then 1
heard Humans voice, and it was de-
decidedly unsteady.
what is this, anyway" he demand-
ed: The Arabian Nights?"
No" said Godfrey, and in his voice
was the ring of triumph. Its merely
a device of one of the cleverest fakirs
who ever lived. Take the torch, Sim.
monds, and let us see how it works."
He dropped to his knees, while Sim
monds lighted him, and / saw that
there was a hole in the floor about
three inches in diameter. Godfrey felt
carefully about it for a moment. and
then, with a little exclamation of
triumph, found a hold for his fingers,
Iulled sharply, and raised a hinged sec
ton of the floor, about Is inches
square.
Now give us the light" he said. and
plunged it into the opening.
In line with the little hole was an
upright metal tube about a foot long,
endlng IN q small square box. Beside
the tube, a slender iron rod ran from
'he Platform down into the box.
marked Godfrey. tapping the rod. "A
pressure of the foot did it,"
He pulled the rod loose, seized the
tube. and lifted the whole apparatus
out upon the platform.
,ooi Lets take it down where we can
look at It, he said. and, carrying it
easily in one hand, led the way back
to the library, cleared a place on the
table and set it down. Then, after a
moments examination, he pulled back
a little bolt and tilted the top Of the
box. with the ube attached. to one
side.
A curious mechanism lay re-
vealed. There was a powerful
spring, which could be wound up
WITH with ,i1am key. sa and ,; a drum wound
With a simple clock work to revolve
1T. Two small dry-batteries were se-
cured to n side of the box, their wires
running to the drum.
Why, it's nothing but a toy cata-
pult!" l said.
remained for Silva to add a few trim
fnlngs or his w and to put it to q
unique use. Instead of a missile. he
loaded 1t with his little aerial she'll. at
tached to the end of his wire. Then he
shot II orr with a pressure of the foot;
the pull brought this platinum coli
against the battery wires and closed
the circuit. The spark fired the she'll.
and he drum began to revolve and
pun it down. That explains, Lester,
a straight line. The fellow who could
devise a thing like that deserves to
succeed! Here's health to him!"
He ought to be behind the bars"
groWled Simmonds. The ~cleverer he
is, lne more dangerous he is"
Well" retorted Godfrey, II admire
him, anyway; and he isn't behind the
bars yet. No doubt you'll find some
OF his shells tomorrow about the house
somewhere. INC you might amuse
yourself by shooting one off every
night at midnight. on the chance that
he sees it and comes back to see who's
stealing his %thunder!"
But this brilliant suggestion did not
seem to appeal to Simmonds, who
merely grunted and continued his ex-
animation of the c%atapult.
Silva a loaded it for tonight's per-
formance," Godfrey went on, but. as
l remarked before, the leading lady
failed to answer her cue, and it re-
manned for us to touch it off. There it
is, Simmonds; I turn it over to you. 1t
and the glove will make unique addi-
tons to the museum at headquarters.
And now" he added, with the wide
yawn of sudden relaxation, you fell
lows can make a night Of it, If you
want to, but I'm going to bed"
glanced at my watch. 1t was 1880.
Another dawn was Frightening along
the east.
Human ran upstairs, took a look at
his patient. and came down to tell us
that she was sleeping calmly.
She'll be all right in the morning."
he assured us; and, while l don't want
to butt in, I'd certainly like to hear her
story. Adventures like this don't hap
pen very often to q country doctors!
May I Gomez"
Most %surely!" I assented uarmlv