Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-07
THE LOST RADIUM
Continued from page IL

stopping there, is accompanied by child.
If you can learn nothing of any child at the
hotel, go to the steamer on which she arrived
yesterday from Liverpool and inquire there.
l must have definite absolute, indisputable
evidence
Hatch rushed out. The chief clerk of the
Teutonc told him that Nine. du Chasta1gny
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 a long time.
Then he related the story of the lost radium
as far as it was known.
THE letter of introduction from Nine.
Cure opened the way for Nine. du Chastaigny,
he explained. Frankly, l believe that letter
to be a forgery. l cabled asking Nine. Curie.
is correct; a 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 an 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 ~
In the seclusion of his small private labora-
tory The Thinking Machine making some
sort of chemical experiment about eight clock
that night. He suddenly stopped his work,
and a minute later he had Hutchinson Hatch
on the telephone. Come right up!' he in
structed.
There was that in his voice which caused
Hatch to jump He seized his hat and rushed
out of his office.
a have it, the scientist told the reporter,
simple i 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.
10 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
boarding house. They assembled the steps.
maid answered the bell
irving tt to tS remember. 'Mr.~the gentleman
who arrived from Liverpool yesterday"
oh" and the maid smiled broadly, you
mean Mr.. Berkerstrom!
Eyes, that's the name, exclaimed the SCI
enlist. Is he in please?'
az l think so, sir, said the maid, still smiling.
Shall take your card?'
mo, it isn't necessary" replied The Think
ing Machine. We are from the museum
He is expecting us"
Second floor. rear" directed the maid.
They assembled the stairs and paused in front
of door. The Thinking Machine tried it
softly. 1t was unlocked, and he pushed it
open. They heard newspaper rattle, and
both looked in the direction of the sound.
Still no one appeared. The Thinking Ma
chine raised finger and tiptoed to large
upholstered chair which faced the other way.
One slender hand disappeared on the other
side, TO be lifted Immediately. Wriggling in
his grasp was man, toy man, midget
miniature in smoking jacket and slippers who
swore fiuently in German.
"Mr. Berkerstrom, Mr.. Hatch said The
Thinking Machine grave.y. This, is the gen
tleman, Mr. Hatch who stole the radium.
Before you begin to talk, Mr.. Berkerstrom,
will say that Nine. du Chastaigny has been ar
rested and has confessed"
"Ach Gohg" ragged the little German.
" 1t ISIS as we did him in the theater, und-"
Berkerstrom started to explain limplngly.
"Oh, that was it?" inquired The Thinking
Machine curiously as if some question in his
own mind had been settled. What is Nine.
du Chastaigny's correct manner"
"She ISIS der famous Mile. Fanchon, und |
am der marvellous midget Count Won Fritz,
proclaimed Berkerstrom proudly.
Then glimmer of what had actually hap
pened flashed through Hatch's mind. He was
staggered by the sublime audacity which made
it possible. The Thinking Machine rose and
opened closet door at which he had been
RFNT DIAPFRS|