The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-12
The
Professors
Daughten'. B, H. .xpDs.
copyright isai by Irving Bachsllsr.l

Hilgerd found.the note upon his table
upon his return from the Century club.
Picking 1t earelsssly up. he read as fol-
lows: ,i..s
My Dear Paul: have not forgotten ,ay
promise. Am just finishing up case .aut
l think will suit You exactly. l VIII 'on-
TESS that. IN many respects. 1t IS the most
singular OF any In my experience. Nou
know what this means. Are you free? II
SO. meet me at Central depot tomogVov
morning at sharp. Sincerely.
Wharton"
Hllgerd's face wore q satisfied smile
as he threw on his coat. phil is just
In the nick Of time. as usual" he said
to himself. Il have not heard from
him since the affair OF the 'Left-handed
Num-" and Mr.. Crane was after me to-
day for another sketch. Wonder what's
up now" He sat down before the fire
and gave way to memories which the
familiar writing awakened. Wharton
was the most remarkable man in all
his acquaintance. He had known him
for ten years. but was still unable TO
definitely classify him. His Individual
~ "eS So iAAhS. oNSi s'.N 49, -.
height. he possessed the strength Of
q giant. His accomplishments always
impressed Hifgerd as phenomenal, and
Ne measured him only by the highest
standards.
Chopin he interpreted with the fin
ished touch and delicate sympathy or
the artist. and his treatment OF the
violin showed great power and rare
quality OF tone. On the evening of the
day that he figured as a mining expert
In an important case. he delivered 4
profound address on the Physical Basis
OF Mind" before the graduating class
OF the Cosmic School of Philosophy
which was afterward widely quoted.
In some Of the sciences his knowledge
was that of specialist.
An expert mathematician. he was
also a practical man of affairs. at one
time serving as bank examiner In the
state of New York. His intellectual
energy was marvellous. 1t all seem i
merely a play of unrestrained f9"te
At one time he drifted westward. and
there came vague rumors OF episodes
in which his peculiar aptitude for ac-
commodating men with wild eyes and
huge revolvers figured prominently. In
his singular fondness for metaphysics
Hilgerd discovered weakness. FOR ne
had no conception of the universal
truths which constitute true philoso-
ply. He was a walking cyclopedia OF
details. lacking the power of higher de-
duction.
1t was no. surprise to his friends
when he turned his attention exclu-
slvely to the profession OF his choice.
The explanation was clear. In it he
found a field for the exercise of all his
wonderful faculties and the employ
ment of his varied. practical knowl-
edge. Here he would bring his bold
experiments in chemistry to the sou-
ton Of a perplexing problem, and at
another time his clear insight into the
Re 1lralrs Of defaulting ac-
4 mt would be called into play.
IA kas after his remarkable and sue
ceSsful investigation of the Sanford
Hypnotic Case that the public first gave
tfm fame. His brilliant work since then
n many other cases, notably that of the
Anchor.own Balloon Mystery, justified
this high recognition and confirmed the
. kcuctdl OlllAlOu thdt HC SAV AOAS-
most man of the day in his line.
As city editor of a large daily, Hill
gerd frequently came in contact with
Wharton, and the acquaintance soon
developed into a warm friendship. He
had made public a few of his most
striking successes and, when chance
offered, he followed him in his work
with absorbed interest. II weA just
two months ago. he remembered. when
Wharton promised him the nexI un-
usual case, and he felt glad that the
time was at hand.
The next morning found them flying
through the crisp September air on the
c. NJ. & r. limited, and between his
glances out at the red and brown land
scape Hilgred blew little clouds OF
smoke up into the hazy interior Of the
car. Wharton lay back in his seat with
half-closed eyes. They We're deep, black
eyes, covering depths that few pre-
sumed to penetrate. His face was thin,
with straight nose. the chin showing
great firmness and decision. Hilgred
fhirsted for information. Commonplace
exchanges had been made, but not a
hint had his friend dropped relating to
the subject uppermost in his mind. He
grew restless and twisted in his seat.
He never liked to question Wharton.
bu. he could stand 1t no longer.
Gould you give me short synopsis
of-of your-of this case?" he ventured.
hesitatingly. Wharton smiled in his pc
culiar indefinite way. "Of course
could, Paul, but Is 1t best? Isn't II al
ways the unforeseen. the unexpected,
that interests the most? II I anticipate
will It not detract from your artistic
appreciation? I would prefer to render
the explanation after the fact. as In
the case Of the nun, with your kind con.
sent" He laughed again, and Hilgerd
looked ruefully out Of the window.
ITS uncomfortable-this feeling in
the dark" said the latter. but 1t GER
Aainly allows the imagination full
swing. What good stage manager
you'd make, Phil"
"You are fiattering." said Wharton,
lighting a fresh cigar and extinguish-
ing the flame in burst of smoke. did
you know Jack Newell?" ne asked.
"Oniy by reputation" answered Hill
gerd. Wasn't he one OF those brave,
4rusted?" Wharton nodded.
1.-THE beet man in Munn's agency.
We have worked together and know
him. / may tell you this much--he has
either lost his life or his liberty in this
affair, I am not sure which," Hilgerd
looked shocked. "Is 1t so serious
Shenrv he asked. "1t Is likely to be-"
answered the other gravely. Hilgerd
thoughtful1y thumped the ashes from
his cigar.
'sWhere do we get OFF, he finally
: asked. Again, Wharton smiled mean
tnejy. I'VE don't get off," he said.
Hilsertl stared at him incredulously