The Washington times., 1903-04-19

and eight minutes We shall reach the
eaTtn."
why" asked Gertrude. are we to
take three hours longer to descend than
it took the moon to come down to the
earth?"
Because she is at present farther off
from the earth. But first Of all we
must renew our store Of oxygen for this
last week Virgil will do this, while !
go on a tour of inspection. WI you
come. doctor2"
The doctor assented and joined Nor
bert. Gertrude and Sir Bucephalus were
glad 20 accompany them into the vel
come warmth of the sunshine after
their long deprivation of its cheering
rays
The inspection Of the conicaI mirrors
made they we're turning back after their
agreeable walk of about twenty min
utes. when Virgil suddenly made his
appearance at one OF the side doors of
the observatory He was waving his
arms. and signaling to bis master to
hasten.
They both ran up to him.
"A great misfortune has happened,
sir he exclaimed. as soon as Nor
bert had come back into the hearing
atmosphere of the observatory
What is it,"
The chlorate Of potassium
What about it2''
You know that there were eight bar
rels full just before the lunar night.
Now there is only one
How, only one left %
Il am as much mystiaed as yourself,
but so It is All the barrels are empty,
excepting one alone."
Norbert could not believe MS ears.
1t sounded incredible He ran to the
stcreroom. where the barrels had been
placed. They we're all there, in row.
as he had seen them fourteen days prev
iousIy. But Virgil had spoken true All
| but one gave hollow sound when
| struck. They we're empty Some one had
stolen seven tons of chIorate, and the
prisoners must be the culprits.
/ II was a terrible situation. One ton
of chlorate of potassium could not pos
sihly furnish sufficient oxygen for eight
davs' consumption.
/ a cold chill Of horror erept over Nor
bert was it TO be his fate to see
! Gertrude sufocated for want Of air in
This strange world to which be had
; brought her?
i hundred times no, Anything but
that The prisoners should be put 10
death. the others placed on rations'
rather han that MademoiseHe kersain
ebouId be in want Of oxygen for single
minute
Followed by Kaddour and Virgil, Nor
bert went to the prison. where the com
rnissioners received him without
word. and proceeded TO make
thorough search throughout the build
ing.
Seven tons of chlorate OF potassium,
said he. ARE not a trife. and II could
not be very easy 10 hide them.
The walls we're sounded, the moor
taken up in ever so many places, But
all in vain; no chlorate was to be
found.
I Then they. searched all about. The cir
cular passage, the storeTooms, the
whole observatory were examined with
the help of the electric light and the
pickaxe and hammer They could find
10 trace OF chIorate
Yet it was impossible that it could
have been used up. or have evapOTated
/ There had been no heat for fourteen
tines twenty-four hours. Besides, how
could the prisoners have managed &c
carry out such an operation?
Norbert and the doctor felt grow
ing suspicion stealing over them. Was
it possible that Kaddour-- But. no
the thought was too odious. The dwarf
must in that case, be very monster
OF hypocrisy. The whole tenor Of his
behavior since the eastaways had ad-
mitted him to their intimacy initiated
against such a supposition. Norbert
would not entertain the idea for &
moment.
Kaddour himself seemed to have a
kind of intuition tEat he was being sus-
pected. and was naturally therefore
more upset than anyone about their
loss. He ran about the conservatory
looking franttcaIIy for the ChiOratc
everywhere; and his very excitement in
creased the suspicious of the others.
He OWNED their thoughts. and on q
, srdden ne thus addressed Norbert
The thief is either ! Or Wagner. the
. leader of the three scoundrels. If
! cannot prove that il was Wagner I viii
) blow my brains OUT"
Why take things so violently. my
, dear Kaddouro- answered the young
astronomer. Il shall only be too glad
= if you succeed in proving the guilt ot
! Wagner"
Then let me question him befor,
r you
BE it so, Let us. return TO the pris
, on"
e As they went along Kaddour explained
r how the ez-commisstoner might hsvt
. got into he storeroom during the nigh
, through their airhole. 40 one els,
, would have stolen the chIorate; thel
s alone were capable of doing so.
= To what end g'' asked Norbert.
T We shall soon find that out"
Z Kaddour was not mistaken-at al
e events on this point. Wagner did no
deny his guilt. He even boasted of il.
e Il did not tell you just now" he sal,
c with jeer. because you did not asl
S me IT, instead OF sounding the walls
r. and looking under the flooring. you ha,
ideigucd ~ question me would have foI,