The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1891-06-27

messenger left 4 package in the ante
room with instructions that il be sent
up to the managing editor. Upon the
removal of the outer wrapper was
found sealed envelope with the fol
lowing note:
''To THE MANAGING EDITOR:
| "You will find inclosed an important
item of news, which you are at liberty to
use, only on condition that this envelope
be not received before ten O'Clock this
| night. 1 trust to your well-known honor
| to see that this stipulation il faithfully
carried out. RUDOLPH WALDEMER."
Long before the receipt of the myS-
terious package Wuldemer's suicide
had been discovered, and so the seal
was Immediately broken. Inside was
the following remarkable confession:
These my last words are written ON
the threshold of the unknown. Though
in the prime of life, the mere thought
of living has become dread more ter
rifying than that of death
at is still fresh in the mind of the
public how overheard in my club the
aame of my wife banded about by
lecherous scoundrel, who has already
gone the road shall travel tonight.
IL challenged him. The challenge
was accepted All the details were
left to u mutual friend-a man learned
in electrical science--who enthusiastic
cally proposed the adoption of electri
city AS Il weapon. | assented with in
difference, not needing the agent, so
that had my revenge. My antagonist
agreed, prompted by professional
curiosity. For several days the mys-
teriOuS preparations went on, and at
last there came Il note stating that |
was to call at certain house on the
outskirts of the city at midnight.
son the arrival at the place indiea-
ted the scientist met me at the door and
led the way to u little nnteroom on the
second floor. There ] found my an
tagOnist, and il was only the knowledge
that but Il few minutes could elupSe
before we would be engaged in mortal
combat that restrained me from throt-
Ting him where he stood.
1--WE were taken into an adjoining
room, and what | saw there filled my
soul with u grim joy-the lust for muir
der Returning again to the outer
room, we We're requested to sub
nit without demur to any preparations
necessary. | complied with alacrity,
but he evidently hesitated before an
swering, and noticed with pleasure
that his voice trembed and his face
paled with u Gownr,lly dread.
"The old electrician produced two
long, close-titting rcbes that enveloped
a,,l x.ith Il ilf,l
fingers he speedily buttoned them
around us, more secure by passing Il
stout cord about the outside in innu-
merable turns. Fntlernd in this way
we lay upon the floor, unable 10 move
hand or foot. Satisfied ut last that the
fastenings were secure, he dragged us
with infinite care into the chamber of
death.
"lt was small square room devoid
of furniture and but dimly lighted by
| common oil lamp suspended from the
ceiling. The floor had been waXed
and polished until it was as smooth as
glass. In two corners of the room,
diagonally opposite each other, were
couple of peculiar looking metal discs
placed horizontally on the floor, and
having II round Hat knob in the centre.
Leading from each were two lines of
insulated wire about six or seven yards
long, ending in shallow cups contain
ing dampened felt.
Placing us side by side, midway he
tween the corners, the cups were fas-
tened to our bodies, one being placed
on the neck at the base of the brain
and the other at the extremity of the
spinal column. Thus attached to our
respective discs, we were told that he
who first reached his opponents cor
ner could, by merely placing his head
on the elevated spot, send the annihl-
lating current on ITS deadly way.
1.-The old scientist, after few hur
ried directions, given in Il voice agita-
ted with strong emotion, retired to Il
corner, where could see him standing
in an attitude of rapt attention, his
head bent forward, his eyes protruding
and glowering with II tixity of EXPIRES
sion almost maniacal in its intensity.
"The room was filled with II solemn
quiet, unbroken saye by the low muir
muir of heavy respiration or the regular
tick of clock, whose monotonous
rhythm sounded like the beat of IL drum
to my overstrained nerves. Thus we
lay for nearly half minute, each
waiting for the other to make the
move.
"A short reflection had shown me
that victory would come to him who
showed the greatest cunning, as the
manner In which Wa We're tied precluded
the display of brute force, and the slip
perry floor offered no fulcrum where
with to propel ones self along.
"Slyly turned my head and saw,
close by the liyid face of my antagon-
list, his deep-set eyes watchful and
alert.
"As feint turned slowly over.
He did the same. Then with u sudden
effort swung around so that my feet
struck him sharp blow in the face.
1t aroused all the devil In his nature,
and he quickly retaliated by making II
desperate lunge Mt my head; his heels
flew past within an inch, aud the force
of the movement placed him almost
between me and my corner. He was
quick to see the advantage, and started
to roll with increasing force in that
direction. Then ensued terrible race
for the disc.
Cover the CLASSY floor, slipping and
sliding, with head advanced in futile
emdeavor To gain ii greater momentum,
we writhed and sInirmed, vainly grasp
ing at the polished surface.
..The room revolvcd in IL dizzy whirl,
and soon my eyes were blinded by ach-
ing tears called forth by II raging ter
ror at the heart-a fear that he might
gain the victory and live. With one
last almost superhuman effort | threw
myself across the widening gap be
tween us and stopped his progress.
There we lay painting for breath on the
very edge of the metal plate, but was
nearest.
"After what seemed an eternity of
time the strange combat recommended.
| was posted in the angle, my feet
pressed firmly against one wall and my
head against the other. 1t was liv-
ing barrier of rrsistleSS strength.
"Suddenly | felt his form against
mine, creeping cunningly closer With
hasty jerk ! drew my body in, and
with shoulders pressed firmly against
the plastrred sides gave one powerful
kick and sent him sliding to the centre
of the room. Before he had stopped |
was rolling in the direction of his cor
ner.
| .ssAVuh elbow aud heel, invoking the
3 and InnSnl.. 4