The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-07-13

sound in the room, which 1 presently
traced to another wasp which had
somehow found its way in.
Now, have an intense dislike to
wasps, 80 when, after few circuits Of
the room, the insect found the remains
of the jelly on the plate by the boys
bedside, aud settled down to enjoy
this, l killed it with a flick of my
handkerchief. Hardly, however, had
l done so when l again heard buzz
ing, and it seemed to me that this
time the sound came from behind
wardrobe in one corner; it was not
continuous, but was intermittently
sandwiched in between intervals of 81
lence, as though another wasp were
imprisoned there, and were making
spasmodic efforts to get out. l went
to reconnoitre, and presently the yel-
low insect crawled out, and escaping
the blow which l aimed at it, started
in its turn to perform the irritatingly
sonorous voyage of discovery round
the room.
Then q strange thought struck me.
Why should there be this succession
of wasps coming thus mysteriously
into bedroom long after the hour
when these insects, in the ordinary
course of things, would be abroad? ?
And why? 1 looked at the jelly.
The third wasp had already settled
upon it. Great heavens! was this the
clue for which 1 had been seeking?
examined the wardrobe! !again. 1t
concealed door which communicated
with the next room-Mr. Sugden's!
My suspicious were being rapidly con-
firmed.
With a feeling almost of elation I
took an empty tumbler, and carefully
inverting it over the jelly dish, i'm
prisoned the busily feeding wasp.
And then 1 rang the bell.
Mrs. Wolford answered the sum-
mons herself. l showed her the wasp
and explaining that 1 had formed a
somewhat strange notion about it,
asked her to stay with Ronald while
went to my room to test my theory.
Ten minutes later 1 was in Sug-
den's room. l went in without know
ing and, taking no notice of his pres
ence, walked straight up to the door
of communication between his room
and Ronald's and examined it. Fixed
in corner of one of the panels
found funnel-shaped piece of tin.
My hypothesis was almost proved now,
for this plainly was the path by which
the wasps had entered. and the an-
alysis l had hurriedly made of the
fragments of jelly told me only toe
clearly the murderous errand on which
they had been sent.
A low, chuckling laugh behind me
caused me to turn sharply round, and
a cold shiver ran down my spine a
what saw. Sugden was covering mt
with revolver, and the cleaning bar
rel was within six inches of my face
$50, DR.. Meldrum," he began
slowly, Watching me the while with al
evil, cat-like alertness, "you have beer
spying upon me? No, wouldn't try
q rush, il were you; you might gel
hurt. This revolver is really loaded.
de spoke quietly, but there was {
CLEAN in his eyes which 1 knew an(
feared, for I had seen it once before
in time of danger shining in the
glances of homicidal maniac.
81 must congratulate you, DIR. Mel
drum" he went on, upon your acu
men, for 1 see you have suspected my
little winged messengers of death
What, by the way, is the death which
they carry? Did you find out
Strychnia?-no, DIR. Meldrum, no
that. 1t was something much more
deadly than strychnia, though it'
effects are, 1 grant you, similar. Wha'
do you think of ptomaines the poison
that is bred of putrefaction? More
artistic than your strychnia, think
and infinitely more deadly; for I've
improved on the book methods of prep
aration, 1 may tell you, and this lit
tie 4-ounce jar (which contains merely
scientifically prepared putrefactior
of rabbits brain) will kill You if you
so much as dip scratched finger
into it,"
He had laid down the revolver
while he spoke, and L thought 1 saw
my chance. With quick movement
l tried to grab it, but he was quicker
and, almost before 1 had risen from
my chair the revolver was in his hand
} and he had me covered again. Bu
he had not expected that woult
} make the attempt, aud the start which
} he gave caused him to spill his horri
BILE liquid, which trickled lowly owe
his left hand, and fell in big, oil!
drops upon the floor.
100 bad of you, DIR. Meldrum," h,
said, with mock chargrin, ''to maxi
me spill my elixir of death; before i
has finished its work, too! All, well
it has not been altogether wasted
. since one victim has fallen already b,
its means. You doubt me? l assur,
you 1 speak the truth-the late DIR
Wolford is my witness.
"You sneering fend" I cried, il
an access of hysterical fury, "yol
lie! He died of heart disease"
"And shall 1 tell you why he died?'
, went on the maniac, with rising ex
element. 81 loved the woman h
married; loved her for years; love'
her long before he ever met her. Sh
knew this and she scorned me.
"And now, DIR. Meldrum, you hav
} thought good to come in my way
Well, 1 have five shots in thi
pistol-one for you, one for the boy
one for the mother, the fourth for my
self and the fifth in reserve. in cas-