Evening star., 1929-09-01

Maupert. Let him make summary report.
Finish your own, we shall be back soon"
The car Laughton had used was still avail
able M Duprez ordered o pilot car to pre-
cede us TO clear the road We reared through
the town at terrific speed, with the pilot rae
ing before us and sending out o continuous
howl from its siren, and arrived in record
time at the sinister nursing home. The wait
ing police looked white and scared, and re-
Neved at our arrival.
"The noise is still going on. It's bomb
set to explode" one Of them growied. Don't
60 in, sir"
Nonsense" snapped the chief and together
we ran up the stairs. Guided by Voltaire, we
found that the uncanny sound was caused by
an electrical apparatus which stood against
the wall of the beautifully equipped labora-
tory.
THE whole room was filled with q luminous
vapor and the acrid smell of ozone made
us cough. Long spiral tubes glowed and
flashed fanteStically, and huge lamp Of COM
plicated shape rotated slowly, sending out
whirling beams Of green light which produced
numbing thrill when they touched the skin
I thought Of the sailors description like the
beams Of a searchlight"-this was evidently
what he had seen when the doctor caught
him.
mind your eyes!" cried Dr. Locard, start
ing back, his hand over his face. I'VE must
cover our heads"
We waited while our motor goggles were
fetched then we wound scarves and coats
around our faces to protect the skin Twice
Laughton attempted to reach q switchboard
which evidently controlled the apparatus, but
each time he was hurled back as though by
an electric shock. At last timing his rush to
the rotation of the lamp, he darted forward,
crouching low and moving in zigzag fashion.
The attempt almost succeeded, but the edge
Of the light caught his shoulder and he
crashed to the floor with a strangled cry. At
the sight of his friends danger, Voltaire
clawed his way along the floor. until he was
able to grasp one foot Painting and yelling in
turn, the courageous fellow dragged Laughton
into the passage.
TITS no use," M Duprez gasped. I'VE must
climb up from outside and smash the window.
The switches can be reached from there"
We found a ladder in an clubhouse and
reared this against the wall. Too latA we saw
the window was protected by heavy iron bars.
Telephone to the power station" M. Duprez
ordered, land tell them to cut on the current
for a minute"
We waited in silence while this was done,
and when the lamps in the hall suddenly went
out, We again crowded into the laboratory.
The green glow was still sweeping round and
it was evident that the motive power was
supplied by hidden batteries
I'll try again." Voltaire volunteered. "I
can crawl along the floor and reach the
wall"
We watched him with fast beating hearts as
he slowly wormed his way over the ground.
At last he reached the switches. With q
quick gesture he pulled these out.
Instantly the cracking ceased, the light
dimmed and went out, and we stood in total
darkness, peering through our goggles-but only
for second roaring detonation shook the
building, a fierce gust Of air threw us in a
struggling heap to the ground flames burst
from the walls and volumes Of black smoke
filled the room.
WE succeeded in gaining the garden, drag
ging Laughton, who still seemed dazed,
between u.s. BY the time the fire brigade
arrived. the whole building was furnace
Sadly we returned to Lyon.
There are only the documents the woman
brought, now; God knows what they contain"
said M. Duprez.
Laughton, who was obviously suffering from
some violent shock was at once taken to the
infirmary
We all felt as though some hlichtinC poiSon