The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-05-29

have many years yet to live, and must
further add that did not expect such
a reception as / have received from a
man of science as | was told you We're.
If you have no information to give to
mc-very WE'LL that ends it; all you
have to do is TO say so.
Who sent you here?'
emo one, as have repeated once or
twice. If any one had, I would give
him my opinion of him when got back.
You refuse to tell me anything about
the explosive that powdered that gold?"
'Refuse? OF course 1 refuse! What
did you expect? suppose the man who
sent you here thought. because you
We're an engaging young woman and 1
an old dotard, I would gable to you
the results of a life 8 work. Oh, no, no.
no. But am not an old dotard Ihave
many years to live yet.
81 hope so. Well, must bid you
good morning. I shall go to some one
else. -
The old man showed his teeth in a
forbidding grin.
''It is useless. Your bottle is broken,
and the material it contained is dissi-
pated Not a trace of it is left. -
He waved his thin, emaciated hand
in the air as be spoke.
ooh, that doesn't matter in the
least, !" said Jennie. 81 have several
other bottles here in my satchel.''
The professor placed his hands on the
arms of his chair and slowly raised him
self to his feet
''You have others, he cried, ''other
bottles? Let me see them-let me see
them!"
"No, replied Jennie, 81 won :"
With speed which, after his recent
collapse, Jennie had not expected, the
professor ambled round to the door and
placed his back against it. The glasses
over his eyes seemed to sparkle as if
with fire. His talonlike fingers crooked
rigidly. He breathed rapidly and was
evidently laboring under tense excite
ment.
':Who knows you came up to see
me?' he whispered hoarsely. glazing at
her
Jennie, having arisen. stood there,
smoothing down her perfectly fitting
glove and answered with calmness she
was far from feeling.
"Who knows am here? No one but
the director Of police.
sob, the director of police!" echoed
the professor, quite evidently abashed
by the information. The rigidity of his
attitude relaxed, and he became once
moro the old man he had appeared as
he sat in heap in his chair. s.You
will excuse me, p he muttered, edging
round toward his chair again, 81 was
excited.
81 noticed that you were, professor.
But before you sit down again please
unlock that door.
''Why?" he asked, pausing on his
way to the chair.
because l wish it OPEN.
Sand /, 4" he said in higher tone,
"wish it tor remain locked until we have
come to some understanding. I can t let
you go out now, but l shall permit you
to go unmolested as soon as you have
made some explanation TO me.
eff you do not unlock the door i'm
mediately, | shall take this machine
and fling it through the front window
OoO 0ii lIlC SllGCt. nc u ,ldSS Oh
the pavement will soon bring some one
to my rescue, professor, and, as I have
voice of my own and small hesitation
about shouting I shall have little diff
Guilty in directing the strangers where
to come. -
AsJennie spoke she moved swiftly to-
ward the table on which stood the
| strange aggregation Of reAectors and
bent glass tubing.
| 'sNo. no, mol" screamed the pro-
fessor. springing between her and the
table "Touch any thing but that-any-
! thing but that! Do not disturb it an
[ inch-there is danger-death not only
to you and me, but perhaps to the
whole city. Keep away from it'
every WE'LL then, said Jennie, step
ping back in spite of her endeavor to
sustain her self control, "open the door,
Open both doors and leave them So
| After that, if you remain seated in your
chair. / shall not touch the machine,
! nor shall | leave until make the ex-
plantations you require and you have
answered some questions that shall
ask. But | must havea clear way to the
| ''ptsii AZ Sa9O JO4 SIlOulll DCCOLl5 OK
cited again y
9TH unlock the doors. I'll unlock
both doors, replied the old man tremu-
lousy, fumhling about his pockets for
his keys. But keep away from that
machine unless you want to bring
swift destruction on MS all.
With an eagerness that retarded his
speed the professor, constantly looking
over his shoulder at his visitor, unlock
ed the first door; then hastily he flung
open the second and tottered back to his
chair, where be collapsed on the tiger
skin, trembling and exhausted.
owe may be overheard" he whined.
Gone can never tell who may sneak
| quietly up the stair. l am surrounded
by spies trying to find out what am
doing.
"Wait a moment" said Jennie.
She went quickly to the outer door,
found that it closed with spring latch,
opened and shut 1t two or three times