The Elbert County tribune., 1906-08-30
l|l4 l1Z[NlllY

about whose eyes there fingered a GER
tain magnetic force which command
ed the attention OF the most indiffer-
ent.
Jean Valdermere made many calls
at our camp during my convalescence.
and his wonderful personality and
magnetic influence grew upon me
with each successive visit. His vast
treasures of knowledge, his brilliant
uitra-scientifc treatment OF abstruse
problems amazed and fascinated me,
as did the gleam of his singular eyes.
In height he did not exceed five feet
nine: his weight was slight, his figure
graceful, and his carriage princely.
He looked more like a prince than
sage. more like a fatterer than a
philosopher; and while | suspected
that some great motive. perhaps in
herent ambition, had driven him into
such ultra paths of scientific specula-
ton as his conversation indicated.
could not reconcile his youthful face
and perfect form with the professors
chair, the laboratory, or the library.
Such words as he uttered would bet
ter fit the mouth of the lean, atten-
ogre of musty study, living among
ancient volumes, charts and crucibles.
He told me of many wonderful
countries he had explored, and the
sights he had seen. He had visited
the palaces OF all the crowned heads
of the earth. and his wonderful mem
ory for detail was marvellous in its re-
tentiveness.
Then all your wonderful knowl-
edge is not wasted l cried: you
have purpose in life, the accom-
plishment of which requires such re-
search as you have undertaken"
Yes, my purpose is fixed, un-
changeable, and will soon be fortified
with every requisite necessary to its
accomplishment, so that I-we-can
act with every assurance of fnfalli-
bility."
"We?" l inquired.
"Yes." he said. 81 am but one of an
organization whose personnel includes
some of the grea&st scholars on
earth"
THE name of this society,""
rs known only to it's members"
Its purpose, them"
is at present secret"
Again l noticed that strange look
In Valdermere's eyes, which were
fixed upon my own, as though to read
my inmost soul-and | felt the force
of that gaze as I never had before.
His wild beauty. augmented by his
great magnetic force, inspired me at
times with a feeling of fear-not phys
fna fAv l.
one feels when being followed at
night-a sense of some ones pres
ence. known but not seen. Behind
his charm of speech and manner there
seemed to lurk certain sinister
something-that magnetic power
which would often repel and, In
small degree, darken the sunshine of
his presence.
When all. or any, OF my comrades
were in camp, Valdemere never
called: but as soon as | found myself
alone I began to look for his coming,
and he never failed. yet seldom re-
NAMED long after they came again
into camp.
One night shortly after valdermere
had left me and my comrades were
preparing our evening meal I noticed
that Hughs wore troubled look.
could not account for the change, as
he was a man of exceptionally even
temperament.
What is it, now?" l said to him, as
he came near my cot.
"Oh, nothing" he replied, with a
show of indifference-but the shadow
on his face deepened
Nothing often means something"
said. come now, old man. your face
is easier to read than your words Is
it Vandermere?"
why. damn it, man. how could you
know that?" he cried. drawing stool
near my cot.
I smiled, but said nothing. allowing
him to think his own thoughts.
Yes, Castleman. it is Valdermere-
that man has completely upset me. in
fact, he has spoiled the whole thing.
and
But. you forget, owe him my
life." l answered with some warmth.
True. Castleman, but when he had
done this great deed. why did he
stay what does he want re?-he
takes no part in our sport-and. have
you noticed. he always comes when
you are alone. and departs when your
friends arrive?"
We'll, is that all?"
That is not ALL" said Wigmore,
who had approached, there is some
thing else"
What else?" said.
THAT is just what we can't tell.
That man Is either a lunatic or
DEVIL
Explain yourselves. my friends"
said, as they had to man gathered
around me. as though to hear some
wonderful story.