Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-14

returned, and his lightness of manner
seemed to disappear with his dripping gar
ments. The doctor found towels for him in
the kitchen press, and stood aside until he
was rehabiltated As men sometimes con-
fess tn ,mselves too full for utterance, so
the doctor was too greatly curious to ask
questions. He waited for Philbrick to offer
an explanation.
understand your gestures to mean that you
wanted me to call. Here 1 am. What can 1
do for your
You have apparently done what 1
wanted" responded the doctor. 81 wanted
that chamber opened. / could not force the
door without noise that would alarm Miss
Willis. l wanted to get word to the authori-
ties, that a search warrant might issue,
and / sent the women, Mrs Hubbard and
Mrs. Appleton, to the village with a note to
Justice Taylor about the matter. I've been
expecting an answer for long time
"Your note wasn't delivered said Phil
brick, quietly. Il have it in my wet clothes
somewhere"
you Intercepted the women, then" ex-
claimed he doctor in great displeasure.
Il did, and, of course, l am prepared to
offer every apology and explanation. 1
will say right at the start that / don't
think you ever would have found what be-
came CT the professor If you had forced
that door 1t was in my belief that knew
his secret that l ventured to upset your
plans"
You arrogate a good deal of responsible
any light to shed upon this matter and
your own connection with 1t, shall not be
disposed to quarrel. You are as much past
my understanding as the professor himself.
How did you enter the house? Did you find
Prof. Drummond?'
The doctors curiosity was gaining -ex-
preston. and Phlbrick smiled slightly as
he recognized that fact.
mo, 10 your last question: he replied, 81
am disappointed man. The professor has
followed Starkweat Their
Great heavensr' cried the doctor, 1.-THE
last words l heard him say were to the eff
feet that he would follow Starkweatherr'
Indeed! Well, suppose We go up to the
chamber and I'll show you how ne did it.
The professor, as we are in the habit of
calling him, was a wonderful mechanic,
you know
There's plenty of evidence of that about
the house."
YES, and one of his masterpieces, though
not to my mind his browning work, was
this contrivance for disappearing. 1 don't
think you will care to explain it to Miss
Drummond. so let's go quietly and not at
tract attention"
They were passing through the dining
room as he spoke. On tip-toe they went
up the stairs and entered the little cham
Der.
There isn't light enough here" whisper
ed Phlbrick, bring a lamp, or better, a
lantern and some rope"
The doctor speedily found the desired
articles and returned to the chamber with
them. Philbrick was sitting in a chair
near the door.
IT think it's safe enough" he said, "but
/ wouldn't go to the bed just yet, DOCTOR"
Raising the lantern the doctor saw that
the bed had much the same appearance
that 1t had when he visited the room on the
morning of Starkweather's disappearance
The pillow was indented as by a mans
head, and the coverlet was slightly disar-
ranged There was one detail in the room
however, that had not been there before
1t consisted of cord running from the
head of the bed up the wall and across the
ceiling over little pulley wheels, to the key
in the door. A glass with the dregs Of
some liquid in 1t was on the stand.
Now, DOCTOR" whispered Philbrick, I'm
going to lock you in here for moment
You keep the lantern and stand by this
chair. Keep your eyes on the bed.'
He withdrew the key from the lock and
opened the door. DR.. Williams felt as If
he were about to be initiated into some
secret order by means of trying ceremony
He would not have admitted that he felt
frepidation but he was conscious of sense
OF profound apprehension.
You don't mind I hope" suggested Phil
brick, pausing.
mo. hurryv'
Philbrick stepped into the hall and closed
the door. A moment later the doctor heard
the key grating In the lock. His eyes were
upon the bed, and his blood ran cold as he
saw the edge nearest the wall sink, sink
until the entire body of the bed hung
straight down from the Frame and in the
dim light Of the lantern he saw hole ex-
tending down through the floor. Up from