The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1906-12-28
CHAPTER xxi.

VFuA us pu6CSt GdnuoL pIVCluAh LILY soA1
as satisfied. On such an evening as this,
with the summer woodlands beneath the
cottage basking in the tender glory Of
the suns farewell, with the silence Of
the day that is ending holding the quiet
helds-on such an evening, say, my
story, even to myself, appears impossible,
nightmare born In the land of evil
dreams. Yet have but to turn my eyes
to where my dearest wife sits at her
work, to know that it is true; for 1t was
In that time Of danger that Providence
gave me the most generous Of the gifts
that can be bestowed upon man.
Two days after Marnac escaped from
our pursuit at Southampton, a little coun-
ell was gathered in the parlor Of DIR.
Weston's cottage at Cornish Polleven.
In his great armchair by the fire sat the
old scholar, with the lamplight exposing
the delicate fragility Of face wherein
consumption had set it's warning. In odd
contrast was my cousin Sir Henry Ora
den, who confronted him. Great-stat-
ured, stern, keen-eyed, he was of that
type that can fearlessly execute, as well
as intelligently conceive, a plan. Mary
Weston was on q cushion at her fathers
knee, his hand in hers; and it was more
often to that noble girl that my glance
wandered than to my cousin, though, In
deed It was he who now set before uA
the position of affairs.
It was right, he said, that DR.. Weston
should know, even as his daughter knew,
the danger that hung over us. And SO,
from its commencement, he told that ter
rible story; how Marnac, the celebrated
Heidelberg professor, had been seized
with a partial mania born of heredity,
nurtured by overwork, brought suddenly
to the light Of the violent attacks deliv-
cred against a book on which he had
spent half his life; how he had planned
to destroy his more bitter adversaries,
and how, by his insane cunning, he had
brought about the deaths of Won Stock
mar and Mechersky; how, In his des-
perate fight from our pursuit, he had
killed the son of Reski, the Polish Inn
keeper; how he had come to England
to end his vengeance upon DR.. Weston
and how he had been led to believe that
Mary was the writer of the attack which
had incensed him. All this he explained
and while he spoke, the shadow Of the
terror seemed to creep over our very
souls, so that we drew together like
sheep that hear the cry Of wolves In the
snow-clad hills.
It was DIR. Weston who first broke tbs
silence that followed Graden's conclu-
sion.
"You have referred to d certain boob
or diary belonging to this Marnac," said
he, for indeed my cousin had mentioned
that discovery at Heidelberg. "And
gather that from 1t you first learned tbs
names Of the scientific enemies against
whom an attack might be directed. Die
this mailman include in his butchers lis
any persons besides Won Stockmar
Mechersky, and myselfG'
"There were several other Names" re
piled my cousin; "but do not think theil
criticisms were sufficiently severe tt
place them in serious danger. l have
however communicated with them all
On the least suspicion they will inform
the police and also telegraph to me al
my London house. My servant there II
kept informed of my address from day tt
day."
"And the police"
"In international matters they move
slowly. 1t has been a chase acros.
Europe, remember. Months have Otter
elapsed before very ordinary criminals
have been arrested. But this man Is I
remarkable linguist: he has some fv'
hundred pounds yet In his possession, ant
he has the cunning common to the par
TALLY insane. The English police hav
full information, but by this time h
may be in France or Belgium"
What, then, do you propose, Sir Hen
ryT
"For the moment we have no definit
objective. 1t would be useless for rs I
start for the continent without furthe
information. Until It reaches us, W
shall stay in this country"
81 quite understand. l trust that 70
the ten days that we still have at Pol
even, you will consider yourselves m
guests-though l fear that the size q
my cottage forbids me asking you
leave your quarters at the inn."
"Are you, then, returning to Can
bridge, DIR. Weston? 1 thought you ha
settled here for the winter?" asked m
cousin.
at was SO intended, but my docto,
have ordered me to the Engadine. The
say-it is my only chance, Sir Henry"
Mary Weston's eyes rose to her fail
er's face in one brief, pitiful glance, an
then her head dropped forward. Poo
girl! she knew that he had spoken trul
1.-THE Engadine"
Graden rose in his ponderous fashic
and stood with his back to the fire.
could see that the intelligence coHcerne
him-concerned him, indeed, too near
for immediate comment. 1t was son
moments before he spoke again.
"FOrgive me, DR.. Weston" he sal
'sbut Is this a sudden resolution?"
eve decided yesterday"
ais It common property? Do the "
layers known
REALLY, Sir Henry, have no idea.
should not think they know"
~ will be quite plain with you, d
Weston, for that is always the best. q
ell this mailman is secured, you and 20,
daughter 90 in some danger. You shou
be safe enough in Switzerland, If "
keep your address a secret. But ev,
then we must arrange that you have
travelling companion that can be trul
ed"
II shall be very glad to CO." int
tected.