The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-10-13
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Professor
: By GEORGE H. PICARD !
Copyright, 1905. by George H. Picard


The professor VAS the non of the
evening. Everybody made it point
to assure him that e was welcome in
CrosSkill, and his modest and unanect-
ed manner did wonders for him. Even
old Marcia Harm, who seldom agreed
with anybody and was tolerated only
on account of her money, pronounced
him the handsomest and most sensible
man she had seen in lifetime because
he did not dispute her statement that
Beethoven would have written ragtime
if he had known how.
When supper was announced it was
Isabel Vose who led him in triumph to
the bank parlor, in which the banquet
was spread. She was sensible young
woman and exceedingly attractive
withal. She had passed the ultra ro-
mantle period Of young womanhood.
but she found it difficult to suppress
the rather harassing and wholly unac-
countable interest she was beginning
to take in this mysterious and very
agreeable musician. During the repast
he talked much and most appreciatiye
~ Of rural life and it's restfulness and
capacity to supply the true musical in
spiratiOn. Although he avoided the dis
cussion Of personal matters with what
seemed to Isabel an exaggerated deli
cacy, she had almost persuaded herself
before they returned to the lodge room
that he was a composer who had come
to Crosskill in search of the proper at
mosphere for mastery effort
AS they were rising from the table
the professor took from the pocket of
his low cut vest a slip of paper and
began to unfold it, This is something
/ picked up from the floor after had
been talking with your father" he
said, handing the slip to Isabel 1T
seems to be cabalistic design of some
sort. 1t probably has some connec-
ton with the order. Do you know
what it is, Miss Vose"
Yes, l. do" she answered hastily.
''It belongs to my father. He must
have pulled it from his pocket with
his handkerchief. He will be annoyed
when confront him with the evidence
of his carelesSness."
y'1fhen should advise you to defer
the matter. He seems to be enjoying
himself and it would be cruel to dis
turb him." the young man said, with
a soft laugh.
Isabel laughed little too. Il guess
I will take your advice" she said, put,
ting the slip in the belt of her gown
and at once forgetting all about it.
On the way home the Voses discuss
ed the professor. Mrs. Vose. always
charitable to the verge of absurdity.
startled the others by positive dec
laration that she did not like him and
that she was afraid of him. Her hus-
band ridiculed her fears and protested
that the man was a genius who had
gone astray in Crosskill. Isabel with
held her opinion. if she had one. When
they arrived at home she went direct
~ to her room. leaving her parents
still engaged in fixing the probable
social status of the stranger.
About daybreak she awoke from a
distressing nightmare in which the pro-
fessor seemed to be standing over her
in a threatening attitude demanding
the combination which would open the
banks safety vault. Then she remem-
hered the slip of paper which she had
tucked in her belt for safe keeping.
She sat up in bed affrightediy. ana the
first object that met her eye was the
piece of paper, which lay upon the spot
where it had fallen when she removed
her belt
Only Il horrible dream" she whis-
pered, with a great sigh of relief But.
really. papa is the one that should have
had it. If he will carry that combina-
ton around in his pocket he deserve
to take the consequences"
She composed herself and went to
sleep.
Nevertheless the professor robbed the
bank With the combination In his pos
session and with his expert knowledge
of the ways and means Of doing such
things it was an easy effort. When
they opened the concert grand 1t
proved to be hollow sham-no sound |
ing board, no strings. no anything ap-
pertaining to the interior of the noble
instumentstimulated: is only a tumble |
of weights and ballast and burglars
among them complete set
of bank looting tools and even a care
fully protected vial of the illuminate
with which Professor Pierre Lucien |
Gerard had expected to achieve the |
end which chance deyeloped so unex-