St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-04-19

that they should not see Inc. The Doc
tor was walking the floor and talking
necessarily about his money and the
Professors dishonesty. The Professor
tried to speak. but the Doctor broke in
each time, finally calling him liar and a
scoundrel, said he had made him pro-
lessor, but he would get him out of his
professorship. At last he took two slips
of paper from his pocket, laid them on
the table, and his watch beside them.
L will give you just five minutes to
right matters, he said. and then he
shook his fist in the Professors face.
leaned forward to see what would come
next, and saw that the Professor was
white with anger. When his old friend
shook his fist, he could contain himself
no longer. He took up piece of grape
vine which he had been using in his lee
ture to show the effects of chemicals in
staining wood, and struck the Doctor a
quick blow on the side of the head. The
Doctor dropped on the floor and l
thought he was dead. So did the Pro-
lessor, evidently, at first, but he poured
water over him from one of the hogs.
heads, and in few minutes revived him,
and he went away without speaking
word or even looking at the Professor.
He appeared dazed, as il he did not know
what had transpred, and when he went
out he left the slips of paper and his
watch on the table.
All this time had been silently watch
ing the two men from the laboratory.
but, at this point, | left the room and
followed the Doctor, who was walking
rapidly away. / caught up with him in
short time but did not let him see me.
1t was about two o'clock, perhaps a
little later, and he walked necessarily
until FIVE, meeting and speaking to
several people that he knew. Among
them was gentleman who spoke to him
on Washington street and who after
wards testified to the fact, and two
ladies who came out of Hovey's store
and bowed to the Doctor.
At FIVE, as he showed no symptoms of
going home, left him and went back to
the Professor, intending to help him if he
wanted me, but he was just going away.
wondered what he would do with the
Doctors watch and the slips of paper
which l knew must be the Professors
notes of indebtedness. 1t transpired
afterwards that he took them home with
him. He said nothing about the matter
to his wife and daughters and that even
ing accompanied them to party, return
ing at little before midnight. AS for
me | spoke of the matter to the janitor,
but so guardedly that he only knew of
an alteration between them.
But on the next day great hue and
cry arose over the disappearance of the
Doctor, who, it was alleged, had not
been seen since coming to the college at
half past one. At this point, nothing
was known of his having been seen on
Washington street, and putting my &C.
count with the news, the janitor said at
once that he believed the Professor had
made away with him.
Then it came out that he had been
watching the Professor and he told me
that he had heard water running in the
laboratory more than usual and that
brisk fire had been kept in the furnace.
Furthermore, the Professor kept the
door bolted.
When the reward Of thousand dollars
was offered for the discovery of the miss
ing man set about trying to earn it. l
was confident that the blow struck by
the Professor, while not severe enoughto
kill him, had disarranged his mental fac
uties so that he might either have wan
dered away or committed suicide. His
rapid, aimess walk seemed to prove this.
The suburbs was well searched by me
before taking the river into considera-
ton.
Meanwhile l had had talk with the
Professor who was greatly disturbed by
the matter; although he seemed much as
usual at home and abroad, lecturing
daily and spending much time in the
laboratory, could see that he was
brooding deeply over the matter, while
at times there was glare in his eyes
approaching that of insanity.
What do you suppose has become of
the Doctor?' he asked me one day, paus-
ing in chemical work, in which l was
aiding him to ask the question.
i think he has wandered off some.
river said.
ANY way he said, If he never
comes back am guilty of bis blood. l
think as you do that he has drowned
himself and l knew by that he was
thinking that his blow with the grape
vine had disarranged his faculties to the
extent of making him insane.
But what did you mean by saying
that you were guilty of his blood!' l
asked innocently.
Il didn't say 1t! How dare you speak
of such a thing? Bring me that tea
chest of minerals from the closet, you
blockhead, and keep your dull wits where
they belong
The Professor was in one OF his worst
moods which grew more intense until he
became so completely lost to all sense of
what belonged to his high position as to
take up the very grapevine with which
he struck the Doctor and to brandish it
before my face.
'Strike!' l said, You will find me
different antagonist from the first. You
can't kill me-
But he did not strike me. He dropped
the grapevine and sank into chair with
white, scared face, while went softly
out and in quest of the janitor.
The police are going to search the
college, were his first words.
Much good it will do them,' l said
CONTEMPORARY.
They say the Doctor has not been
seen since he entered these walls, do
thev?'
Yes
went away to think. I knew they
would not find the body OF the Doctor
within the college walls, but suppose
they were to find one, what then? If
could SUNNY n bodv and olive the ia nitor