Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-09-12
CHAPTER X. (continued.)

Yes; but little now remained to b
II done before absolute perfection of tn
Invention was obtained. A few NOR
experiments, more delicate and de
Icisive than any that had gone before
still remained to be made. The az
paratus itself was completed. Its work
ing under certain conditions was Ger
tain. 1t was still necessary, however
to test 1t by means of continuous ex
fperiments upon q living human brain
During the last year Of their worl
Gouldesbrough and Wilson Guest hat
begun to realize this last necessit.
with increasing conviction. They saw
that the copingston of the marvelou:
edifice which they had slowly built III
through the years was now resolving
4 itself into this, and this alone. Neither
had said as much to each other in sc
many words until some four months
ago. Then, upon one memorable night
when excited by drink to an unusua.
freedom and openness ofspeech, Guest
had voiced the unspoken thought Of his
master and himself.
A human brain, living human
brain, in living human body was an
absolute and final requirement.
There were not wanting there new.
or have been wanting scientific en-.
thusiasts who will submit themselves
to experiment. But in this case vol.
untary Subject was impossible, for
reasons which will presently appear.
It became definite problem with the
two men as to how and by what means
they should obtain living creature
who should be absolutely subject to
their will.
And then chance had provided Sir
William with the unique opportunity.
| He had seen his way to rid himself OF
a hated rival and to provide subject
for experiment at one and the same
time. He had not hesitated; brains to
far removed from the ordinary sphere
Eof humanity as his never hesitate at
anything. 3
Gerald Rathbone had disappeared.
The motor stopped at the door in
the great, grim wall which surround
ed Sir Williams house. He said good
night to the chauffeur who looked after
his two cars at garage some half a
mile away, and opened the wicket with
his key.
AS he walked through the dark
garden and saw the great square block
Of the house looming UP before him, it
was with a quickening sense of antic-
ipation and pleasure. All the worries
ne 5hic life ,unro yony,, az, 70 ri1., <,,,o.
done with, he was coming back TO his
great passion. to his life work, the
service Of science
It was about 10 o'clock, and as he
opened the front door and came into
the hall everything was silent and still.
He lifted up the padded stick which
hung beside the dinner gong and
struck the metal, standing still while
the deep, booming note echoed mourn.
fully through the house.
The butler did not answer the sum-
mons. Sir William realized that the
man must be out. Wilson Guest had
probably given the servants an even
ing's holiday for some purpose Of his
own.
He crossed the dimly-1it hall, pushed
open the baize door which led to the
study, and entered his own room.
The fire was burning brightly, the
electric lights glowed, but the place
was quite empty. On his writing table
was a pile Of letters; on round table
set beside the fire were a cold chicken
and bottle Of claret. Obviously his
first surmfse had been right, and the
servants were out
He left the study, proceeded onward
down the passage, and unlocked anothr
er door--a door through which no one
but himself and Guest were allowed
to penetrate, door that was, always
kept locked, and which led to the lab
oratories. mechanical rooms, and in
vention studios, which had been built
out at the back OF the house over
what were once the tennis lawns, occu-
pied a considerable area. 7ssii
Locking the door behind him, Sir
William went on down a short passage.
The first door on the right had the let
ter 4 a" painted on 1t In white.
He opened this door and looked Ii,
The room was empty, though it was
brilliantly lit. It was a place filled
| with large tables, on which were draw.
ing Instruments, sheets Of figures and
i trzcfngs.
| Guest was not there. Si@3
l Closing the door again and passing
onward, Sir William entered tho chem
fca1 laboratory, d long, low place, lii
I SiDy a skylight IN day and by electricity
at night, AS he opened the door quiet
lyahe heard sounds Of movement, and
Their ediately, at the tar end o,
4 the laboratory. saw the man he was
looking for.
The place was In entire darkness
Isave at one end, where two incar
descent bulbs glowed above an expert
] tsnaenting table. Il
ne assistant was bending over 1
Il Bunsen burner, above which large
glass ribe was clamped, Ia which some
liquid was oiling. sT47sSiii'ss;s
Suddenly he heard Sir Williams ad
vancing Footsteps. and leapt up. 20,
q single moment tho great pirk. hair
Hess face waa al,ffi1aA A yuifb e,,,x ~. 49,.