The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-12-11
A CLEW BY WIRE.
(Cnntinued.)


was looking for such business, and
and found it in Twineburgh."
"Well, you certainly are an odd fell
low, if you will excuse me for saying
So" 1 remarked, with laugh.
"Yes, am rather odd"
When we reentered my bedroom,
Sonntag's quick eye caught sight of the
tools under my bed.
"Going to cut through the foor?" he
asked.
THAT is what intended to do. I'm
going to know what is down there"
replied, decidedly.
Then l told him about the noises
had heard which had seemed to come
from beneath, the slamming of the
door, and the pistol shot. l also told
of the voices had heard both in the
attic and in my room, and all had OBJ
served regarding them.
The old lawyer listened intently, and
when 1 had finished walked to the win
dow.
"Do you suppose that the sound of the
voices could in some way have come
from the telephone wire?" I finally
asked.
Not being an electrical expert, can
not say" Sonntag answered, turning
from the window.
at seems impossible the voices could
be heard without the aid of a receiver"
remarked.
perhaps there is receiver both in
your room and upstairs-not like the
ones we are accustomed to, of course,
but one formed by nature. Certainly
there are possibilities in electric force
which we have not yet discovered. You
say the sounds occurred only when
wind was blowing which caused the
wire to swing against the lightning
rod?"
THAT was surmise, for have had no
opportunity to watch when the wind
blew. But it seemed the most natural
explanation of the rappings."
"And you had no way of ascertaining
whether the sounds in your room here
and in the attic were produced by the
same voice and at the same time, or
whether there were two voices indie
pendent of each other?"
"Why, you know it was impossible for
me to be in the attic and in my room
too" 1 answered.
perhaps we may be given an oppor-
tunity to find out something about the
voices" Sonntag said, with q gesture to-
ward the window.
How do you mean?" asked.
'"There is thunderstorm coming up.
1t will undoubtedly be preceded by
wind" the old lawyer said.
eyes, yes! How fortunate it is that
you are here!" exclaimed, excitedly,
for I comprehended his meaning.
'rNow you remain here, and I will go up
to the attic" I went on. Each of us
must note the exact time the sound is
heard. We had better compare watches,
so that there shall be no difference in
each ones estimate of the time"
pulled out my watch and approached
Sonntag. His hand went up to his vest
pocket and he was about to follow my
example, when upon our hearing came
that small, soft, high-pitched voice.
We stood gazing into each others
eyes for moment, then l made rush
for the door.
The lawyer detained me, and in great
Impotence l waited.
Take paper and pencil with you" he
said. "Jot down the words and indicate
the raps in the exact order that they
come. L will do the same with the
words and pauses. Now 60"
l went up the two stairways on the
jump. The wind was coming up strong,
and the heavy thunder rolled in the dis
lance. Near the small window, where
I had heard the voice, took my stand.
The raps from above were louder now,
and besides, in the daytime, lost great
deal of the uncanniness which the
gloom and solitude of night had given
them.
The voice was sounding, though not
as distinctly as before, which was prob
| ABLY Oh uCCOunb VI Tic lOuu
and whistling of the high wind.
My paper and pencil were ready, and
I listened with strained attention to
catch the words.
This is what my paper showed:
'Never will Trap, rap, rap consent
under existing (rap, rap-a grating
noise, probably caused by the wire be-
ing held against the lightning rod by
the force of the wind) the property re-
moved (raps) place to bring you (raps)
hid where (raps) never find (raps) talk
wisdom I shall (raps) night and take
(raps) dollar will you ever"
Right here the garnet was flooded by
binding glare, and Immediately fol-
lowed crash on crash close above me.
Stunned by the noise and too dazed
for the moment to realize that the
threatening storm had burst, I feebly
tottered toward the stairs and sank
down upon the top step.
The rain was coming down in tor
rents and the roar on the roof seemed
but an echo of the thunder. was soon
able to arouse myself from my dazed
condition, and, remembering the OBJ
ject of my errand, went back to the
spot where l had stood to recover the
paper and pencil, which had fallen
from my hands. There was no desire to
continue Investigations while the storm
lasted; SO, picking up the paper,l 1
FASTENED downstairs to my room.
1 noticed a strange odor as went
through the doorway, and saw Sonntag