The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-13
IN DEATHS EMBRACE.

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soon reached Sloane's dwelling and
was shown at once into Sloane's bedchaua-
Der
WELL said he when had finished my
question, ''what are you going to prescribe
for mes''
Nothing, - I replied.
"Whatl Do you think there Is nothing
the matter with me, then?''
ION the contrary, think that you are
quite i'll, but there is no medicine that will
do you any good You are merely suffering
from overexertion of the brain.
"By George exclaimed Sloane, s'you
have exactly hit It'll know my brain is
OverwOrked. The fact is, doctor, have
invented the most extraordinary''-
My dear sir, interrupted, ''I must
not permit you to talk about any such
matter now. Try to sleep, and shall call
and see you tomorrow -
At the end of the week Mr.. Sloane was
fully restored to health; but one night
about six weeks after I had made his &C
quaintance, he hurriedly sent for me again.
When visited him, he said:
The reason 1 sent for you tonight,
doctor, is that tomorrow expect my
nephew here on a visit and I don't
want him to know anything about this
grand discovery of mine. AS he will re-
main with me an indefinite length Of time
I do not know when might have another
opportunity of showing you my complicat-
ed apparatus. -
We continued to ascend flight after flight
of stairs until we reached the top of the
house Mr.. Sloane ushered me into an i'm
mense garret-in fact, it occupied the en-
tire space of the upper story of the house.
When my host turned his lamp to the
middle of the apartment, its rays fell on an
immense cylinder which bore more resen-
blance to gasOmeter than anything else.
But this was not all The ceiling was coy
cred with wheels and complex machinery.
walked up to it and struck it with my
knuc1les. 1t gave out a clear, metallic
sound.
Taking key from his pocket, he raised
one OF the iron plates and revealed a key
hole. He inserted the key and a small door
flew open-so small, indeed, that we had to
stOop quite low on entering. Mr.. Sloane
entered first and followed.
I found myself in circular apartment
which was equal in size to a room IA or Is
feet square.
I walked over the iron floor and sat
down on chair. Mr.. Sloane no sooner
saw me fixed there than, with a sudden
movement, he darted through the door
again and closed it with a sudden bang
after him.
Come, Mr.. Sloane, exclaimed in an
angry tone, 'Fthis is too much of a jolzel
Let me out instantly"
1augh-a laugh that froze my blood-for
my professional experience enabled me to
detect that it was the laugh of maniac
Doctor, - he exclaimed after a pause of
a few minutes, Il wish you a very good
evening. You will have to pass the night
in your present abode. -
When I had finished examining my pris-
on, I determined to pass the night as
comfortably as possible, and, sitting down,
reclined my head on the table and closed
my eyes.
fell asleep. How long I slept know
not, but I was awakened by a peculiar
sound. At first I thought it was some one
grinding a knife on a grindstone for it
was a purring, rasping sound But soon
found that it was too loud for that, for it
caused a slight vihratory motion in my
prison.
1 jumped up from my seat and rubbed
my eyes.
I felt myself grow pale death and my
heart almost stood still. The dungeon was
certainly snalIer-palpably, Enthusiastically
smaller. I again cast my eyes up to the
ceiling and counted only nine plates or di-
visions The roof was certainly lower. The
walls were certainly closing in all around
me. The ceiling was now so low that I
could touch it with my hand.
While gazing on the top of the dungeon
an inscription traced on the ceiling for the
first time caught my eyes
This machine was invented by Edward
Sloane, Esq, for the purpose Of suppressed
ing death by hanging. The walls are so
constructed that they revolve on them
selves, every revolution reducing the size
of the apartment several feet. After a GER
tain time she walls meet, crushing any
object within the apartment perfectly fat.
In ten hours from the time the machinery
is first started the work is completed -
understood it all now. The mailman
with.
L gave one unearthly scream and believed
my last moment had come, when suddenly
the room assumed the same size as when
had first entered it, and rose up and shook
myself as I heard voice outside exclaim:
ANY one in there?''
In a few hurried words explained all
that had passed
I was then informed that my preserver
was Mr.. Sloane's nephew, who had arrived
at his uncle's house an hour before He
had heard the machinery at work, and Gu
riosity had impelled him to explore the
upper portion OF the house. The moment
he entered the garnet my piercing scream
reached his ears. He saw the machinery
in motion and he took his pOcketknife and
cut a wide leather strap by which the ma
chinery was turned. This was no sooner
secured than the circular dungeon assumed
its natural form with such a sudden spring
as almost to knock him down.
After the explanation he ran to his uncle
and procured the key.
When I was released, I consented not to
prosecute Sloane on condition that the in
fernal machine should be at once destroyed, |
and that the inventor would leave the vii
lage forever.
The monomaniac agreed to these condi- |
tions.-Cincinnati Post.
Dresden English.
A correspondent sends a specimen of