Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-10-15
CHAPTER XIX.
A Call from a Constable.

marked by contempt than curiosity as
he followed Philbrick and the professor
to the door OF the shop" Philbrick
Tor once was silent, but he evinced
about as much interest in the proceed
ing as if the professor were about to
show him a rare edition of The In
terno, or collection of ancient coins.
The only man beside me who knew
how TO work this lock, said the profess
sor, with his hand upon the knob, was
poor Starkweather."
He pushed the door open, and stood
aside tor the others to enter. They
stepped into room that, were it in
any but private house, would have
been i'll nowise remarkable to the cas-
very paradise for mechanic. One
might have thought that a portion OF
a machine factory had been taken up
and set down at Fairview.
rha room was Of moderate SIZE not
larger certainly than the professors
diung-room.
- his was formerly two rooms, he
explained, pointing to the ceiling; Il
mad the partition taken down."
The visitors looked up and saw the
Marn. OF Jolsts in line upon Tie cell
ing. The professor closed the door,
and waited for remarks or questions.
Against the opposite wall was WORK
bench, with vises, cutting machines,
edge tools, lathes, etc. At one side was
a great structure, apparently uncom-
pleted, that looked like a loom OF some
kind, with a row OF sharp-pointed
spikes to keep gigantic threads apart.
On the floor were eleetro-platipg tanks,
an electric motor, Battery, and con-
siderable number of contrivances anG.
articles, the use OF which was not at
first plain to the I'll initiated.
do not pretend to say, gentlemen,
remarked the professor, after waiting
a bit, that this room is in exactly the
same condition as it was on the day OF
Starkweather's death. The position
OF some OF the materials have been
slightly changed, but l wish l could be
sure you would believe me when ! say
that to all practical intents and pur-
poses the shop is the same now as
then"
Il have no doubt of it," responded
Phllbrlck, quickly; have you, doctor?"
Not the slightest" said the doctor.
Professor Drummond sighed, as If 1t
were a pity that he should have felt 1t
necessary to suggest doubt.
Philbrick crossed the room idly and
III a manner wholly characteristic OF
him set the pulleys of lathe in mo-
ton by a blow with his hand. He stood
watching 1t whirl a moment, and then,
as il again following the professors
suggestions looked listlessly up to the
ceiling.
This ROOM" said the professor, OBJ
serving the glance, lis directly under
the chamber where LAID Starkweather;
that is, the chamber over part OF
this room. The floor space here is con-
iderably greater than in the room
above"
II thought So murmured Philbrick
indifferently.
DR.. Williams remained with folded
arms on the spot where he had stopped
when he entered the room. At the
professors reference to laying Stark
weather in the room above he started
slightly as If impelled to speak, for he
recalled how Professor Drummond had
admitted having employed subterfuge,
and the doctor had supposed that that
was am admission that the chamber
part of the story was an invention,
backed up by prepared testimony on
the part of Betsey. The doctor did not
speak, however, he pressed his lips
close together and locked on, frowning,
while Philbrick aimlessly picked up
and laid down several tools on the
bench.
II told you, gentlemen" said the
professor, after another interval OF 81
dence that this was my chamber Of
secrets and that l was ready to answer
any question that might occur to either
of you. | want you both to be salts
fed"
Philbrick glanced from the statu-
esCue doctor to the professor and re-
sponded
Il don't think OF any questions to
ask"
Professor Drummond turned TO the
doctor.
I've nothing to say" said DR. Will
liams.
The professor seemed disappointed
Really, gentlemen" he exclaimed,
I'm doing what | can to clear myself
from suspicion and TO settle all doubts
in your own minds once and for all
You do me an injustice by making
perfunctory examination. 1t is due
. me that you should speak freely
whatever occurs TO YOU"
Dr. Williams could think Of plenty
to say. but he was determined not to
speak. For one reason. though not
necessarily the first, he felt that the
opening of the shop al this late day
after time for elaborate preparation
was the shallowest kind Of humhug.
For another, he was not inclined 10
admit in the presence Of PhiIbrick that