The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-14

they were Informed, Il reached the fur
mace
while II Is melting" explained DR.. Syx.
certain elements. the nature OF which I
must beg to keep secret are mixed with
the ore causing chemical action. which
results in the extraction Of the metal
Now let me show you pure artemisfun is
suing from the furnace"
He led the visitors through two apart
rnents into third. one side OF which was
walled BY the front Of the furnace, From
this projected two or three small spouts.
and iri5iscent streams OF molten metal fell
from the spouts into earther receptacles.
from which the blazing liquid was led. like
flowing iron. into a system Of moids.
where II was allowed 70 cool and harden.
The fnanc,err looked on wondering. and
their establishment grew when they were
conducted into the rock-cut storerooms be-
meath. where they saw metallic ingots
glowing Ike gigantic opais in the light
which DR.. syx turned on. They were pied
In rows along the walls as high as a man
could reach. A very brief inspection ssIf-
feed TO convince the visitors that DR.. Syx
was able 10 perform all that he promised
Although they had not penetrated the Sc
cret of hts process OF reducing the ore.
vet they had seen the metal flowing from
the furnace. and the piles Of ingots proved
conciusvely that he had uttered no vain
boast when he said he could give the
world a new coinage.
But President Boon, himself a metal
iurgfst, desired 10 inspect the mysterious
ore a little more closely. Possibly he
was thinking that n another mine was
destined to be discovered. he might as
well be the discoverer "a anybody. DR.,
Syx attempted no concealment. but his
smile became more than usually scornful
as he stopped a laden car and Invited the
visitors to help themselves.
II think" he said that I have struck
the only lode of this ore in the Teton. or
possibly in this part of the world. but
don't know for certain. There may be
plenty of II only waiting 10 be found.
That. however. doesn't trouble me. The
great point Is that nobody except myself
knows how to extract IT,"
MFR. Boon closely examined the chunk
of rock which he had taken from the
car Then he pulled lens from his
pocket with deprecatory glance at DIR.
Svx
"oh. that's all right" said the latter.
with laugh. the first that these gentle-
men had ever heard from his lips, and
Il almost made them shudder. put II
to every test. examine 1t with the micro
scope. with fire. with electricity, with
the spectroscope-in every way you can
think of l assure you It is worth your
whiler'
Again DR.. syx uttered his freezing
laugh. passing into the familiar smile
which had now become an undisguised
mock
Upon my word" said Mr.. Boon. taxi
ing his eve from the lens, II see no sign
Of any metal here"
Look at those green specks!' cried the
doctor, snatching the specimen from
the presidents hand That's It! That's
artemisiuml But It's OF no use unless
you can get It out and purify 1t. which
Ii my secret
For the third time Or. Syx laughed.
and his merriment affected the visitors
go dlsagreeah'v that they showed i'm
patience to be gons. Immediately he
changed his manner.
Come into my OFFICE" ne sasd, with
return to the graciousne@s which had
characterized him ever since the party
started from New York
When they were all seated. and the
doctor had handed around a box Of
cigars he resumed the conversation In
his most amiabie manner.
You see. gentlemen" he said. turn
ing piece OF ore in his fingers. 'arte-
misium is like aluminium n can only
he obtained in the metallic form by a
special process. While these greensh
particles. which you may perhaps mis-
take for chrysolite, or some similar
unisilicate. really contain the precious
metal that are not entirely composed OF
II. The process by which separate out
the metallic element while the ore II
passing through the furnace Is In truth.
quite simple. and its very simplicity
guards nay secret Make your minds
easy as TO over-production. A man is
as likely to jump over the moon as to
find me out"
But" he continusd again changing
his manner. I'VE have had business
enough for one day. now for a little
recreation"