The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-08-19
WEDNESDAY MORNING. AUGUST 10, 1874

| followed him, and without the
slightest hesitation he led me TO
his bed-chambcr.
There was the door fastened as
he had said, and l made a show
Of looking at it-but chat was not
what fascinated HE and rivcted
my attention at once!
The walls were full Of shelves,
and the shelves were crowded
with philosophical Instruments!
I left the portico door finally,
and as 1 was going. carelcssly re-
marked:
"You seem to take an interest
in science?"
"Why, yes" said be, smiling,
II do, and ] datter myself that
few men here or elsewhere have I
larger or better collection Of ap-
paratus than | have"
| had touched him on his par
ticuIar vanity, and knew now that
| might search unmolesLed, and
not only Y that, but with his own
proper aid, for the instrument Of
death.
| turned back, as [ spoke, and
picked up a pamphlet from the
study-table in the centre Of the
room.
The book was written in the
Italian language.
have some slight knowlcge Of
the tongue Of modern opera, and
read on the title page that the
! work was one on the various
modes Of the destruction of ami
nal life, and that it was by Cas-
turini.
And Casturini was the name of
the Professor spoken Of in the
newspaper paragraph.
! felt that was working on the
right track.
! | laid down the volume and
gradually turned the conversation
TO the subject Of pneumatics, in
; the course Of which | asked if my
companion had Casturini's air
pump. lie told me no, but that
he had his air-syringe.
! asked to look at it.
/ Fo1 the first time the son turn
ed on me a hurried glance of
alarm.
But l managed to appear as if
l suspected notbing-as if nothing
more dangerous than love of sci
ence actuated me in my investi-
cations.
And my companion was salts
fed, for he at once produced the
air-syringe.
1t was a strange instrument; in
shape it was like an ordinary
syringe, such as is daily employed
in medicine, only larger, perhaps
twice as large as any Of that kind
| had ever seen. 1t was mounted
on a stand Of polished walnut,
like an electric machine, and, in-
deed, looked like one-that is, a
cyndrical one. 1t was furnished
with a crank, by which it was
worked, and had two large, fun
nel-shaped mouthpieccs. These
latter were not stationary, but
could be moved-brought nearer
together or more widely separated:
as circumstances required.
This, then, was the instrument
Of death, and it performed its
dread work silently and surely,
and left no external trace.
| touched it with a feeling akin
to horror, and asked:
HAS this no ether use than to
deprive animals Of life?"
"None," was the smiling re-
sponse.
"Can you operate it?"
"Better than any ever met"
I was standing facing this mar
as he made this boast.
l laid my hand on his shoulder
lie started and seemed not t.
know what to make Of my con
duct.
"Your crime is discovered, sir =
said |, stcrnIy. "You are a patri
eide, aud l arrest you for tn
: murder cf the man who lies il
the other chambcr!"
His face turned fairly purpl
with rage and fear, and then grew
inky black.
lie sat down in the chair with
out a word.
His courage, and above al
things: his incompatible audacity
had altogether abandoned him q
this terrible crisis
I spoke to him again and agai
several times, but could get no ar
: swcr.
Then l rang the bell and sen
, for the coroners physician.
+ lie came, looked at the mar
! still sitting on the chair, speech
less and black in the face, an