The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-05-07
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bauer had thrown a masx of beer In
Herr Busch's face, and they had fought,
and that Herr Busch had been taken
away in a cab, badly wounded.
missed Gutenberg soon after that, and
| one evening, rambling about the corri-
| doris, found myself Unexpectedly In that
one where the laboratory was said to be-.
l looked in vain for a door, but only
| after close inspection of the walls did I
! discover keyhole in narrow panel, in
geniously concealed. 1t was locked, and
contemplating it thoughtfully l became
aware Of an indistinct murmur as of a
muffled voice.
looked into the court. No one was
there. Again the murmuring. looked in
vain through the keyhole. All was black.
/ applied my ear. < voice within unmis.
| takably! What could it bet Gutenberg
was away. This must be the laboratory.
thought of the drunkard's story and
glanced with SILVER oyer my shoulder.
The sound ceased. paced the corridor,
consumed with curiosity. In one of my
trips observed at the farther end of the
corridor narrow stone staircase. Being
in an investigating frame OF mind,
CROPPED my way up it, through network
Of dusty spiders webs, the denizens of
which ran over my face and hands.
At length l perceived feeble light,
which, growing brighter as l advanced,
guided me into the moonlight, out upon
narrow ledge of the roof, overlooking tho
river. Up at my side rose a great sky
light, dim and weather stained. Through
the half obscured panes l became aware
of dull red glow, in striking contrast
with the blush moonlight.
Bending over and rubbing away the
dirt, l saw what was indeed lamplight,
and my eyes became glued to the pane,
as l sank upon one knee and grasped the
stonework to steady my shaking nerves.
God spare my reason! Was l awake?
At the end Of long, vaulted chamber
filled with all the complicated appliances
of the chemists art, lighted by rows of
tall students lamps, stood pedestal Of
what seemed red glistening stone, from
either side of which ran tubes, communi-
eating with great stills Of glass and cop
per. On the top of this pedestal, the
eyes open, living, was human head!
Seated in front of this CHASTITY object
at some distance in m open armchair,
speaking in measured tones to it, was
Gutenberg. His eyes were directed to
the lips which, though uttering no sound,
were framing words, which Gutenberg,
with bated breath, was studying out and
repeating aloud. There was something
strangely familiar in the features Of the
head. Yes, it was-it was Busch! God
Of heaven, how came it there?
A temporary blindness came upon me.
I felt was fainting. I mastered myself
by great effort and, looking down, saw
oh, horror!-that the eyes of the head
were directed at me, and Gutenberg, with
a leveled revolver, was reckoning me to
come down.
Mechanically obeyed as under spell.
Gutenberg was waiting for me at the
foot Of the staircase and, still covering
me with the revolver, babe me walk
through the open panel, which closed
with a click behind US.
"You have by accident and meddling,"
said he sternly, "been made q party to
what was not intended for you, and am
power to NEEDLE further. Do you see
yonder retort? In 1t Is m acid strong
enough to destroy you, Sour finger rings
and even the diamond ID your scarfpin.
III consider the matter. In the mean
time you are my prisoner"
A faint smile of recognition lighted up
the features Of the head. l stared, petri-
fed.
"What you see Is the elimination Of a
series Of experiments begun years ago."
continued Gutenberg. IL have long
known that human head recently de-
tached from the body, if taken before
the cells were emptied Of the life princi-
pie, could be restored to intelligence and
nourished indefinitely by fluid which l
have discovered, closely resembling hui
man blood, but far more vivifying. l ex-
permented with the consent Of the au-
thorities, upon the head of criminal
who persisted under the blade of the
scharfrichter. The results kept to my
self.
That Is the head of Busch which was
severed from his body in the duel of that
night, in the court below, by the unlaw-
fully sharpened schlager of my accom-
plice, Hofbauer. The schlager is only
supposed to disfgure, not to kill. 1t is
only sharp at the point, as rule. In this
instance it was sharpened on the side.
appeared in the midst of the affrighted
students and demanded the head for SCI
enti6c purposes, threatening them with
the police unless they complied. Hofbau-
er disappeared, you remember. That's
his skull up there. That pedestal is a
glass tank containing the vitalizing fluid
spoke of.
Restored to intelligence, the lips have
sought to speak, but necessarily can only
shape words. From closely studying these
motions for weeks l have gathered the
knowledge of the whereabouts of the
treasure boosted Of during life. He offers
this upon condition that will release
him and return him to death when
have found and secured the treasure, for
every moment Of this restored life Is ago.
ny to him. 1t Is unfortunate that you are
mixed in the matter. as have cherished
feeling Of amity for you which have
for no other. l shall be absent for day,
during which I shall bind you to this
chair and gag you"
Having suited the action to the word,
be left me and did not return until the
following evening. he bore In his hand a
portmanteau and, loosing me and giving
me food babe me follow him, still gag
ged.
Through door In the wall we descend
ed, II seemed, to the very foundation Of
the building, and emerged upon the river,
where small skiff lay moored to post.
We rowed silently down the river until
We came upon sloop yacht riding at an
Choir. We were no sooner aboard than
sail was hoisted, and we bore away down
IA, xluo,.xxh H. sx.l.A