The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-11-01

have many years yet TO live, and l must
further add that did not expect such
a reception as have received from
man OF science. as I was told you were.
If you have no information to give to
me-very well. that ends 1t; all you
have TO do Is to say 80"
"Who cent you here1'
"No one, as have repeated once or
twice. II any one had, | would give
him my opinion Of him when got back.
You refuse to tell me anything about
the explosive that powdered that gold p
"RefuseH OF course | refuse What
did you expectr | suppose the man who
sent you here thought, because you
were an engaging young woman and
an old dotard, would gabble to you
mol But l am not an old dotard. have
many years to live yet"
~ hope 80. Well, must bid you
good morning l shall go to some one
else.
The old man showed his teeth in
forbidding grin.
at is useless. Your bottle is broken.
and the material 1t contained is dissi-
pated Not trace Of 1t Is left
He waved his thin, emaciated hand
In the air as he spoke.
"Oh. that doesn't matter in the
least. said Jennie. II 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
bottless Let me see them-let me see
them'
"No." replied Jennie. 81 won't"
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 il
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
meS' he whispered hoarsely, glaring at
her
Jennie having arisen. stood there,
smoothing down her perfectly fitting
glove and answered with calmness sEe
was far from feeling.
"Who knows am heres No one but
the director of police
"Oh, the director Of policei" echoed
the professor, quite evidently abashed
by the information. The rigidity of his
attitude relaxed. and he became once
more the old man he had appeared as
he sat in heap in his chair. "You
will excuse me-" he muttered, edgirg
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.
"And l." he said in higher tone,
"wish it to remain locked until we have
come to some understanding. can't let
you go out now. but shall permit you
to go unmolested as soon as you have
made some explanation to me-.
"If you do not unlock the door i'm
mediately, | shall take this machine
and fling it through the front window
out on the street. The crashing glass on
the pavement will soon bring some one
to my rescue, professor, and. as have
voice of my own and small hesitation
about shouting l shall have little diff
Guilty in directing the strangers where
to come
AS Jennie spoke she moved swiftly to-
ward the table on which stood the
strange aggregation Of refectors and
bent glass tubing.
"No. no. nor' screamed the pro-
fessor. springing between her and the
table. "Touch anything 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 itl'
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. IL you remain seated In your
chair, l shall not touch the machine.
nor shall l leave until make the ex-
plantations you require and you have
answered some questions that shall
ask. But | must have a clear way to the
stair in case you should become ex-
cited again."
"I'll unlock the doors. I'll unlock
both doors, replied the old man tremu
lously, fumbling about his pockets fol
his keys "But keep away from that
machine unless you want to bring
swift destruction on US all
With an eagerness that retarded hit
speed the professor. constantly looking
over his shoulder at his visitor. unlock
ed the first door: then hastily he flunl
open the second and tottered back to hi
chair, where he collapsed on the tiger
skin, trembling and exhausted.
1--WE may be overheard, he whined
Zone can never tell who may sneal
quietly up the stair. / am surrounded
by spies trying to find out what | an
doing
"Wait moment" said Jennie.
She went quickly to the outer door
found that it closed with spring latch
opened and shut it two or three time