New-York tribune., 1906-10-07

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whether or not Nine. du Chastaigny, who is
stopping there, is accompanied by child.
If you can learn nothing of any child at the
hotel, go to the steamer which she arrived
yesterday from Liverpool and inquire there.
| must have definite, absolute, indisputable
evidence"
Hatch rushed out The chief clerk of the
TeutoniC told him that Nine, du Chastaigny
was at the hotel alone. Then he questioned
the purser with the same result. There was no
trace of a child Then Hatch made his way
to the home of The Thinking Machine and
told him what he had learned.
The Thinking Machine dropped back into
chair and remained there silent for long time
Then he related the story of the lost radium
as far as it was known.
THE letter of introduction from Nine.
Curie opened the way for Nine. du Chastaigny,
he explained. Frankly, | believe that letter
to be a forgery. l cabled asking Nine. Curie.
A No from her will mean that my conjecture
is correct; Yes will mean But that is
hardly worth considering. The question
now is What method was employed to cause
the disappearance of the radium.
The door opened. and Martha, aged ser
want, appeared. She handed a cablegram to
The Thinking Machine He glanced at the
sheet once then rose suddenly, after which he
sat down again just as suddenly.
What is it - ventured Hatch.
Its Yes y"
In the seclusion of his small private labora-
tory The Thinking Machine was making some
sort of chemical experiment about eight clock
that night. He suddenly stopped his work,
and minute later he had Hutchinson Hatch
on the telephone. Come right upi he in
structed.
There was that in his voice which caused
Hatch to jump. He seized his hat and rushed
out of his office.
Il have it." the scientist told the reporter
forestalling a question. Its ridiculously
simple. can't imagine how | missed it"
They went out together. The scientist gave
some instruction to the cabby, and they Clat-
tered off.
You are going to meet a very remarkable
person., The Thinking Machine explained.
" He may cause trouble. and he may not; any
way look out for him. He's tricky"
That was ALL The cab drew up in front of
a boarding house. They ascended the steps.
A maid answered the bell
Is Mr.-Mr.- Oh. what is his namea" and
The Thinking Machine snapped his fingers as if
trying to remember. Mr.-the gentleman
who arrived from Liverpool yesterday"
oh" and the maid smiled broadly, you
mean Mr. Berkerstrom''
YES, that's the name exclaimed the sci
enlist. is he in, please?"
1 think so. sir, said the maid, still smiling.
" Shall | take your cards"
No, it isn't necessary" replied The Think
ing Machine. We are from the museum.
He is expecting us
Second floor. rear" directed the maid.
lney aSCendeU tne STAIRS ana paused IN front
of a door. The Thinking Machine tried it
softly. 1t was unlocked. and he pushed it
open. They heard a newspaper rattle and
both looked in the direction of the sound.
Still no one appeared. The Thinking Ma
chine raised finger and tiptoed to a large
upholstered chair which faced the other way.
One slender hand disappeared on the other
side 70 be lifted Immediately Wrigging in
his grasp was 4 man, toy man, midget
in smoking jacket and slippers who
Swore fluently in German.
Mr.. Berkerstrom, Mr.. Hatch" said The
Thinking Machine gravely. This is the gen.
tleman, Mr.. Hatch who stole the radium.
Before you begin to talk. MIR. Berkerstrom, |
will say that Nine. du ChaStaigny has been ar
rested and has confessed"
'Ach GOM' ragged the little German.
6 1t iss as we did him in the theater und-''
BerkerStrom started to explain limpingly
oh. that it ;" inquired The Thinking
Machine curiously as if some question in his
own mind had been settled. What is Nine.
du Chastaigny's correct name?'
- She ISIS der famous Mile. Fanchon, und |
am der marvellous midget, Count Won Fritz"
proclaimed BerkerstrOm proudly.
Then a glimmer of what had actually hap
pened flashed through Hatch's mind. He was
by the sublime audacity which made
t possible. The Thinking Machine rose and