The Saint Paul globe., 1901-12-15

blotting paper or any similar clumsy adj
| juncts Of the writing table,"
| What is your difficulty?" he asked
with touch of contempt for the small
ness of my ideas. He had evidently ex-
pected something more high-fown
My ink will dry in thirty seconds but
] that is too long. I must have it dry in
ten Hitherto I have failed to do this and
to preserve the color of the ink at the
same time"
| "Have you any of the ink with you?"
| "Only in a pad taking 1t out of the
wrapping. IF you will put your thumb
| on this, and then press it on clean paper
you will see the effect quite we'll"
I, He pulled off the loose glove and saw
long, narrow, refined hand. I waited
anxiously. The thumb was wet with ink
| from palm to nail, and when he pressed
| 1t on to sheet of clean white paper it
| left distinct impression. 1 had no need
| to compare it with the thumb mark in
the parcel; knew it at once.
The old man waited for some seconds,
| expecting to see the ink dry but when
| 1t did not, he turned to ME in surprise.
There is something wrong he said.
Yes" l replied, there is something
wrong, and am very sorry for it." Then
/ took out the plaster cast, and explained
matters to him.
81 must do my duty towards Mr.. MOSS
I said in conclusion, though l do not
mind telling you that have no great
sympathy with him, and IL you will con-
fess the whole truth, will make it as
easy as can for you. First of ALL how
did you manage to secure the diamonds?'
He was completely overwhelmed, and
made no attempt at denial
81 let myself down into the cellar with
rope yesterday morning" he said. II
had discovered that Mr.. Moss used 1t as
a hiding place, and knowing his business
anticipated finding something valuable.
/ was about to climb up again by the aid
of the rope when heard footsteps. Mr.
Moss had unexpectedly returned. hid
myself in the farthest corner Of the cell
lar, and prepared to wait until he went
out again. Fortunately I had provided
for such contingency. I hated the
man. he added with sudden bitterness.
HE had gone out of his way to insult
me, and / wanted the money badly to
finish a most important invention
I saw that his dreams and imaginary
discoveries had half turned his brain.
"But how did you make your escape?'
asked.
ST got out this morning when Mr.. Moss
left the room.'
''It is impossible! I cried in amaze
ment. 'You could not have remained in
the cellar all night. The air was poison
Gus, you would have been suffocatedW
He smiled cunningly.
"That Is one of my Inventions" he
said, Though the world has taken no
notice of it yet, and perhaps never WILL
1t is so blind and stupid. 1 have discov-
cred a chemical substance which, by SIM
pie contact with vitiated air, will re-
store to it its lost oxygen, while at the
same time 1t will rob it Of all its noxious
properties. Three or four kilogrammes Of
the compound will allow man to live
twenty-four hours in a confined space
without any fresh air being administered
to him from outside"
The old chemist had evidently made one
valuable discovery at least, but doubted
whether he had the business ability to
ever turn it to account. He restored me
the diamonds, and in return I assisted
him to put safe distance between him
self and Mr.. Moss On inquiry I found
that he had not known of the windlass
arrangement, and that the chain had
broken off when he Used it to assist him
in climbing to the top of the cellar again.
copyright in the United States Of Amer
lea by D. T. Pierce)
Next Week:
"Al Chindus, the Priest"