The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-03

q few sauxy white clouds drifting iazily
across It. At II o'clock Brown might have
been seen entering the patent office with
q great roll OF parchment diagrams and
plans under his arm. At II he emerged
again smiling, and. opening his pocketbook,
he packed away very carefully small
slip Of official blue paper. At minutes to
/ his cab rolled into Victoria station. Two
giant canvas-covered parcels. like enor-
nous kites. were handed down by the cab
man from the top. and consigned to the
care Of q guard. On the platform Peril
cord was pacing up and down, with long.
eager step and swinging arms a tinge OF
pink upon his sunken and sallow cheeks
IAN right?' he asked.
Brown pointed In answer to his baggage.
Il have the motor and the glrdle already
packed in the guards van. Be careful,
guard, for It is delicate machinery Of great
value. So! Now we can start with an easy
conscience"
At Eastbourne the precious motor was
carried to . four-wheeler, and the great
phlanges hoisted on the top. A long drive
took them to the house where the keys
barren Downs. The building which was
their destination was q commonplace.
whitewashed structure, with struggling
stables and outhouses standing in q
grassy hollow which sloped down from the
edge Of the chalk cliffs. It was cheer
less house. even when in use, but now
with its smokeless chimneys and shattered
windows Il looked doubly dreary. The
owner had planted a grove OF young
larches and frs around 1t. but the sweep
ing spray had blfghted them, and they
hung their withered heads in melancholy
groups It was gloomy and forbidding
spot.
But the inventors were in no mood to be
moved by such trifes. The lonelier the
place the more fitted for their purpose.
With the help OF the cabman they carried
their packages down the footpath and laid
them IN the darkened dining room. The
sun was setting as the distant chatter of
wheels told them that they were finally
alone.
Pericord had thrown open the shutters
and the mellow evening light streamed
in through the discolored windows Brown
drew knife from his pocket and cut the
packthread with which the canvas was
secured. As the brown covering fell away
it disclosed two great yellow metal fans
These he leaned carefully against the wall.
The girdle, the connecting bands and the
motor were then In turn unpacked. 1t was
dark before all was set out IN order. A
lamp was lit. and by its light the two
men continued to tighten screws. clinch
their experiment.
THAT finishes It," said Brown at last,
stepping back and surveying the machine.
Pericord said nothing, but his face glow
ed with pride and expectation.
1--WE must have something to eat"
Brown remarked. laying out some provi-
sions which he had brought with him.
Afterwards"
mo, now" said the stolid mechan;cian.
Il am half starved" He pulled up to the
table and made hearty meal, while his
Celtic companion strobe impatiently up and
down. with twttching fingers and restless
eyes.
Now them" said Brown, facing round.
and brushing the crumbs from his lap,
who Is to put 1t on?"
II shall" cried his companion, eagerly.
What we do tonight is likely to be his
toric."
but there Is some danger" suggested
Brown. I'VE cannot quite tell how 1t may
act"
'That Is nothing" said Pericord, with a
wave of his hand.
'But there is no use our going out Of our
way to incur danger
What then? One Of us must do it."
mot at all. The motor would act equally
well II attached to any inanimate object"
THAT is true" said Pericord, thought
fully
There are bricks by the barn. I have
sack here. Why should not a bagful Of
them take your placer
1T is good idea. l see no objection"
Come on them" and the two sailed out,
bearing with them the various sections of
their machine. The moon was shining, cold
and clear, though an occasional ragged
cloud drifted across her face. All was still
and silent upon the Downs. They stood and
listened before they entered the barn, but
not sound came to their ears, save the
dull murmur of the sea and the distant
barking of dog. Pericord journeyed back
wards and forwards with all that they
might need while Brown filed a long mar
row sack with bricks
When all was ready the door OF the barn
was closed, and the lamp balanced upon
an empty packing case. The bag Of bricks
was laid upon two trestles, and the broad
steel girdle was buckled round IT. Then
the great phlanges, the wires, and the metal
box containing the motor were in turn at
tached to the girdle Last Of all fiat
steel rudder. shaped like fish's tail, was
secured to the bottom of the sack.
1--WE must make 1t go round in small
circle" said Pericord. glancing round at the
bare high walls.
'Tie the rudder down at one side" sug-
gested Brown. Now 1t is ready. Press the
connection and or she goes!'
feTlcOTu itdEeu IOTWuTu, lOIB SaIlOW
face quivering with excitement. His white
nervous hands darted here and there
among the wires. Brown stood impassive
with critical eyes. There was a sharp
burr from the machine. The huge yellow
wings gave a convulsive flap. Then an
other. Then a third, slower and stronger,
with a fuller sweep. Then fourth, which
filled the barn with a blast OF driven air.
At the fifth the bag of bricks began to
no traS ho uiv
sprang into the air, and would have fallen
to the ground but the seventh came to
save It, and fiuttered 1t forward through
the air. Slowly rising. II tapped heavily
round In a circle. like some great clumsy
bird. filling the barn with its buzzing and
wnirring. In the uncertain yellow light
of the single lamp It was strange to see
the loom Of the ungainly thing tapping
off into the shadows. and then circling
back into the narrow zone Of light.
The two men stood for a while In silence.
Then Pericord threw his long arms up
into the air ut acts!" he cried. "The
Brown-Pericord motor acts! He danced
oho lila u,advnsn In AaVubt