Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-02-03
No AZ


but tho adept leaned forward and in
terrupted her.
"Be quiet. You will SPOIL it ALL"
he whispered.
From somewhere in the roar came q
soft, mellow sound like ono of tho low
sr notes Of q flute.
1T is the masters signal. He is
awake" said KCla impressiyely. Then
the house was as quiet as tomb. A
train passed on the elevated read near
by. It rumbled in q faroff way, as if it
were underground.
"Be still now and look into the dark:
ness ahead Of yon." said Kola. "The
master will not present himself to view
nor speak, but he knows your desires
and will give psychic demonstration
that will interest you."
When the adept ceased speaking, the
flutelike note sounded again, and then
profound silence fell, Lampkin heard
some enc breathing heavily, but could
not make out who it was. He felt q
hand grasp his own, heard a step on the
carpet and knew that Hendricks had
passed him, going he knew not whittier.
The black robe he wore blended SO thor
bughly with the darkness that he had
become part of it.
The doctor heard Miss Benton cry
out softly, and then he saw square Of
grayish light appear in the ceiling, II
grew lighter till it was exactly like
glimpse Of the sky ON a dark night
Now and then star could be seen un-
der thin, filmy clouds, which seemed to
be driven along by high wind.
Wonderful, by Jovel" exclaimed
Montcastle's voice. II bave"-
Instantly the scene vanished. Only
the most intense darkness remained.
Kola bent toward Montcastle.
1T was because you spoke, kind sir"
he said. "H you talk. the master will
retire"
Silence and blackness reigned for f1ve
minutes. Then the flute note sounded.
and the view Of the sky returned. For
awhile it was as it had been before.
Then one Of the stars, which had ap-
peared SO indistinct as to be unseen at
times, began to blaze fiercely. Now and
then it would seem to have some sort
of internal eruption.
| Itwould burn red and blue and throw
off bits of fire, which foated dow inward
and slowly expired. One Of the sparks,
instead Of going out, grew brighter and
brighter as it descended till it took the
form Of q letter "B" and then melted
away. The next spark formed the let
ter "E," and the letters of fire con-
tinucd to form and fall till the word
"Benton" had been spelled.
The last letter went out with a brigha
fash, giving Lampkin a vague view OF
the large room and the Benton party
about 20 feet in front of him The next
instant the room was totally dark 1t
remained so for two or tbreo minutes
Then the flute note sounded again, Hpd
large square of light appeared ahead
Of them. 1t looked as if it were half g
mile from where the spectators SGT.
Slowly it began to take the form of the
interior Of room. The walls, pictures
and curtains came into view, and then
the furniture, desk, man sitting at II.
Alice Benton stiied Il scream. 1t was
her father. t,e sat writing. He leaned
forward and dipped his pen in the ink.
stand. The spectators saw the movement
of his hand over the paper and heard
the scratching Of his pen. Fe turned his
head, looked at them and then roso de-
liberately, laid his left hand on his
breast and pointed steadily at them.
His lips moved, but no sound passed
through them. Then Dir. Lampkiu heard
some one gasping for breath and a
heavy weight fall to the Goor. Instant
ly the room was dark.
"A light!' cried Ralph Benton's
voice. "Turn on the lights! Something
has happened to Nj. Allen.
"What has happened?" asked the
adept from the darkness.
"Mr. Allen has fainted," replied
Ralph. "Hc was not we'll and did not
want to come here anyway. Why don't
you turn on the lights?'
DR.. Lampkin felt some one touch his
elbow and the warm breath of the de-
tective on his ear.
"Remain where you are, " whispered
Hendricks. BLAST his ugly pictureP'
"Give us light, say!' cried Ralph
angrily. -,
"see, he--your Mr.. Allen is waking"
said the adept.
"Waking?" sncered Benton. "Do you
think that's the way he usually retires?"
Tho darkness was lifted slightly.
How It was done Lampkin could not
tell Montcastle and Ralph could be
seen standing and supporting Allen be-
tween them.
1.-THE door is open," said Kola
YOU'D better all go ont into the fresh
air."
Montcastle and Allen were cropping
toward the door, led by the adept. Sud
denly Ralph, who had not moved, raised
his voice:
II don't intend to leave till know
what this internal business means.
say, Montcastle, give me matohI'
Course the young daredevil!' ex-
claimed Hendricks, still near to Lamp
kin, and the doctor heard him take
something from his pocket which rat
tied like pieces Of metal. "I'll pay him
for this"
Then the flute note sounded twice.
1.-THE master wants us to retire." said
Kola
"Who the devil is the masterT"
sneered Ralph. "This thing touches my
own family, and am going to look
into it. -
"Don't be q fool" cautioned STAN
wood. 1.-THE ladies are here. and they
have already had enough
"For my sake, come on, dearp i'm
plored Miss Hastings. 1--WE don't know
where we are, and"--
"Montcastle," commanded Ralph,
"taka the ladies out. / am going to