Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-08-31
II f.: e! :!|::;!;;;;a; :!;aE =; y. N11lX

knew It was he OF whom they spoke.
my strange rescuer.
at once expressed my gratitude to
him In u few chosen words-but he
commanded me to silence. | discov-
cred that his name was Jean Valdcr-
mere. and that he was not native of
the East. He seemed to speak all
tongues. TO have travelled In every
CLINE. was fluent. gracious convcr-
sationalist, and "a many.slded man.
whose manner was charming. and
about whose eyes there fingered a Ger.
tain magnetic force which command.
cd the attention OF the most indiner.
cn,.
Jean Naldcrmcrc made many calls
nj our camp during my convnicsccncc.
and his wonderful personality and
magnetic influence grew upon me
with each successive visit. His vas,
treasures Of knowledge. his brilliant
ultra'scicntihc treatment Of abstrusc
problems amazed and fascinated me.
as did the gieam OF his singular eyes.
In height he did no, exceed Ave feet
nine: his weight was slight. his figure
graceful. and his carriage princcly.
He locked more like u prince than
sage. more like u Gattcr.r than
philosopher: and while suspected
that some great motive. perhaps In.
hcrcnt ambition. had driven him Into
such ultra paths of aeicEtihc spccula.
;ion m his conversation Indicated. I
could not reconcile his youthful face
md perfect form with III. professors
chair. the laboratory. or the library.
Such words as he uttered would bet
ter NJ the mouth OF the lean. attcn-
uatcd. ionE.bcaricd aichcmist-th-
osTc Of mus,y study. living among
ancient volumes. charts and crucibicR.
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 men,
ory for detail was marvellous In Its re-
,cn'ivcncSs.
Then nil your wonderful knowi.
edge Is not wasted I cried. YOU
have purpose In life. tho accom-.
piiEhmcni Of which requires such re-
search M you have undertaken"
Yes. my purpose Is fixed. un.
changcabic. and will soon he fortified
with every requisite necessary to It's
accomplishment. SO that I-wc-can
act with every assurance OF infaiii-
hliiiy."
We" inquired.
Yes he said. Il am but one of an
organization whosc personnel Includes
some of the greatest scholars on
sar;h."
The name of this society"
"is known only to 10 mcmbcrs.''
Its purpose. them"
els at present n secret"
Again I noticed that strange look
In valicTmcrc's eyes. which were
fixed uron my own. aa though to read
my limos; soul-nnd ! felt the force
of tha, gaze as | never had before.
His wild beauty. augmented by his
great magnetic force. inspired me a;
times with feeling Of iear-no, phys.
lcal terror. bus the same sentiment
one feels when being followed n;
uivht-a sense of some ones pres.
oncc. known but not seen. Behind
his charm OF speech and manner there
seemed TO iurk certain sinister
snmcthinE-that magnetic power
which would often repel, and. in
small degree. darkcn tho sunshine of
his presence.
When all. or any. Of my comrades
were in camp. valdcmere never
called: hut as soon as found myself
alone | began to look for his coming.
and he never failed. yet seldom re-
maincd long after they came again
into camp.
One night shortly after valdermcrc
had left me and my comrades were
preparing our evening meal | noticed
that HuHhs wore a troubled look.
could not account for the change. as
he was a man OF exceptionally even
temperament.
"wha, IL 1t. now" said to him. as
he came near my cot.
"Oh. nothing he replied. with
show OF indifferencc-but the shadow
on his face decpened.
Nothing often means something |
said. come now. old man. your face
Is easier to read than your words. is
It vandermcre?"
why. damn 1t, man. how could you
know that7" he cried. drawing a stool
near my cot.
| smiled. but said nothing. allowing
him TO think his own thoughts.
Yes. Castleman. It is Naldermere-
that man has completely upset me. in
fact. he has spoiled the whole thing.
and"
"But. you forget. I owe him my
l,fe." answered with some warmth.
.True. Castleman. but when he had
| do;e this great deed. why did lie
~ what does he want here? 'e