The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-04-06
"The arabian Nights7>

ed. The Arabian Nights7~
NO" said Godfrey, and in his voice
was the ring OF triumph. "Its merely
a device of one Of the cleverest fal<irs
who ever lived. Take the torch. Sim.
monds, and let US see how 1t 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 IL for q moment, and
then, with a little exclamation Of
triumph, found a hold for his fingers,
pulled sharply, and raised a hinged sec
ton of. the floor, about Is inches
square.
Now give us the light" he said. and
plunged ii into the opening.
In line with the little hole was an
upright metal tube about foot long,
ending in a small square blk. Beside
the tube, a slender iron rod ran from
the platform down into the box.
That's the lever that sets II off," re-
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.
Let's take II 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 tube attached, to one
side
A curious mechanism lay re-
spring, which could be wound up
with key, and a drum wound
with filament like wire and connected
with a simple clock work to revolve
1t. Two small dry-batteries were Sc
cured to one side Of the box, their wires
running to the drum.
Why, it's nothing but q toy cata-
putt" / said.
That's ALL" aid Godfrey nodded. 1T
remained for Silva to add a few trim
mtngs OF his own and to put 1t to a
unique use. Instead of n missile, he
loaded 1t with his little aerial shell, at
tached to the end of this wire. Then he
shot it off with a pressure of the foot;
when 1t reached the end OF the wire,
the pull brought this platinum coil
against the battery wires and closed
the circuit. The spark fired the shell,
and the drum began to revolve and
pull 1t down. That explains, Lester,
why it descended so steadily and In
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, the more dangerous he is"
Well" retorted Godfrey, Il admire
him, anyway; and he isn't behind tho
bars yet. No doubt you'll find some
of his shells tomorrow about the house
somewhere, and 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 catapult.
SILVA had loaded it for tonight's per-
tormance Godfrey went on, but, as
remarked before, the leading lady
failed TO answer her cue, and it re-
manned for us to touch IL off. There it
Is, SlmmOndS; l turn 1t over to you. 1t
and tne glove will make unique addi-
tons 10 Lne museum at headquarters.
And row. he added, with the wide
yaWn OF sudden relaxation, you fell
lows can make a night OF 1t, If you
want to, but I'm going to bed"
| glanced at my watch. 1t was 4 80.
Another dawn was Frightening along
the east.
hinmdn 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."
to butt in, I'd certainly like to hear her
story. Adventures like this don't hap
pen very often to a country doctor!
May l Gomez"
Most SURELY" l assented warmly.
Il think we were very fortunate TO
have had you in this case, doctor"
so do II" echoed Godfrey warmly,
while Hinman flushed with pleasure.
And don't forget, Lester, that it was
l who picked him out, with nothing
better than the telephone book to guide
me- That was my infallible instinct"
Suppose We say 10 o'clock, then?"
I suggested, smiling at Godfrey's ex-
uberancr-but then, l was feeling rath-
er eXuberant myself!
III be here!" said Human. And
thank yOu," and a moment later we
heard his car chugging down the drive.
We listened to 1t for q moment, then
Godfrey yawned again.
Come along, Lester" he said, "or
I'll go to sleep on my feet. Can l give
you a bed, Simmonds?"
mo, thanks" said Simmonds. I'm
not ready for bed. I'm going to comb
this whole neighborhood, as soon as it's
light. Silva can't escape-unless he
just fades away into the air.
you've found no trace Of him."
I've had no reports yet" and Sim
monds walked beside us down the drive
to the gate; but my men ought to be
coming in pretty soon. There's a thick
grove just across the road, where he
may be hiding -
He stopped, for a man was hasten
ing toward US, carrying under one arm
a small white bundle.
Simmonds quickened his pace.