Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-02
THE THINKING MACHINE
Continued from page 4

pulse He nodded and seemed satisfied. Miss
Manning, can you understand me?" he
asked.
The girl nodded weakly.
How many pieces of the candy did you
eat?"
Two she replied. She stared into the
face above her with dull eyes.
Did Miss Wallack eat any of it up to the
time ~ you y, left the theaters"
If The Thinking Machine had been in a hurry
previously, he was racing now. Hatch trailed
on dutifully behind down the stairs, and into
the cab, whence Professor Van Dusen shouted
word of thanks to DR. Carlton. This time
their destination the stage door of the
theater from which Miss Wallack had disap-
peared
The reporter was muddled He didn't know
anything clearly except that three pieces of
candy were missing from the box. OF these
the maid had eaten only two, She had been
poisoned. Therefore, it seemed reasonable to
suppose that if Miss Walack had eaten the
third piece she also would be poisoned: But
poison would not make her invisible. At this
point the reporter shook his head hopelessy.
William Meegan, the stage doorkeeper, was
easily found.
"Can you inform me, please, began The
Thinking Machine, if Mr.. Mason left a box of
candy with you last Saturday night for Miss
Wal1ack?"
Yes" Meegan replied good naturally. He
was amused at the little man. Miss Wallack
hadn't arrived. Mason brought a box of
candy for her nearly every night and usually
left it here. put the one Saturday night on
the shelf here "
Did Mr.. Mason come to the theater before
or after the others on Saturday night"
Before" replied Meegan. He was I'm
usually early, | suppose. to pack.
And the other members of the company
coming in stop here, | imagine to get their
mail!" and the scientist squinted up at the
mail box above the shelf.
Sure, always.
The Thinking Machine drew long breath
Up to this time there had been little perplexed
wrinkles in his brow Now they disappeared
Now, please" he went on, was any pack
age or box of any kind taken from the stage on
Saturday, night between nine and eleven
No" said Meegan positively. Nothing
at all until the companys baggage was re-
moved at midnight"
Miss Wallack had two trunks in her dress
ing room?,
How do you know"
Because | helped put EN- in and helped
What's it to your"
Suddenly The Thinking Machine turned
and ran out to the cab, with Hatch, his shadow
close behind Drive, drive as fast as you
know how to the nearest long-distance tee-
phone' the scientist instructed the cabby
"A woman's life is at stake
Hutchinson Hatch were a train rushing
back to Boston. The Thinking Machine had
been in the telephone booth for fifteen minutes
When he came out Hatch had asked several
questions, to which the scientist vouchsafed
no answer. They were perhaps thirty min
utes out of Springfield before the scientist
showed any disposition to talk. Then he
began, without preliminary, much as if he
resuming former conversation.
"Of course if Miss Wallack didn't leave the
stage of the theater she was there" he said
I'VE will admit that she did not become in
visible, The problem therefore was to find
her the stage The fact that no violence
was used against her conclusvely proved
by half a dozen instances. No one heard her
scream; there was no struggle or trace of blood.
Ergo, assume in the beginning that she
must have consented to the first steps which
led to her disappearance Remember, her
attire was wholly unsuited to the street.
Now let us shape hypothesis which will
fit all the circumstances. Miss Wallack had
a severe headache. Hypnotic influence will
cure headaches. Was there a hypnotist to
whom Miss Wallack would have submitted her
self? Assume there was. Then would that
hypnotist take advantage of his control to
place her in cataleptic condition? Assume
a motive and he would. Then, how would he
dispose of her?
From this point questions radiate in all
directions. We will confine ourselves to the