The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-09-12
or Dead?'
The Strange Disappearance OF
) Gerald RathbOne.
BY GUY THoRNE.
~ v THoRNE.

Guest sighed with relief, and then
began to litter In his curious, almost
feminine way.
by Jove!" he said, you startled me,
William. I had no idea when you'd be
back. My nerves are like Jumps of wet
velvet. He, he!"
His hand shook as he came forward
to greet his chief. Sir William knew
well that this man was a constant n
secret drunkard, but he never made
any comment on the fact. Guest was
at liberty to do exactly as he pleased
to crafty his vices to the full, because
Guest, drunk or sober, was a complete
and brilliant helper, and because Sir
William not only could not do with
out him, but knew that the la was
his, body and mind, so long as he was
allowed to indulge himself as he would.
Yet, as the greater man shook hands
with the lesser, he was conscious of a
sudden thrill OF repulsion at the craven
fears Of the ~sensualist.
Yes, I'm back" Gouldesbrough an
swered, and everything has gone very
well. I suppose you have seen that
Eustace Charliewood killed HIMSELF"
Eyes, I did," Guest answered, "and
for a few hours I was considerably
troubled about 1t. Then I saw by the
paper that you were down there. so I
knew 1t must be all right. He eve
said anything, of course, or left any
thing behind him?"
"Only a letter to me, which I de-
stroyed."
"Goodi" Guest answered, and his In
terest in Eustace Charliewood and his
end ceased Immediately. well, I've
lots to tell you. I've zone as far as l
could on my own lines, but I've been
longing for you to come back. My dear
William, it's simply splendid! How
right you have been always! How abb
solutely necessary 1t was to have a liv-
ing brain to experiment on!"
How is the MANN good health? ?"
well, Of course there's been a ON
siderable waste of tissue, and the alb
solute lack of exercise has had it's ef-
feet. But the cell Is well ventilated
with an electric fan which l keep con-
stantly going, and l allow the subject
to read two or three hours every day
such books as he may ask for. The
rest Of the time I turn out the light,
after I have fixed on the cap. l find
that the thought images thrown upon
the screen in room ID are more vivid
when the subject is kept In darkness.
Still, speaking as a whole. the physical
health Is good, and It is singular how
vivid the thought pictures are, which
show that the cerebrum Is In a perfect.
ly strong and healthy condition. AS
you know, 1t is from that part of the
brain we get all our voluntary and
actual pictures, therefore we are to be
congratulated that there is no weak
ness in that regard sc far. Still, when
you came In, l was just preparing a
phosphate solution which I'm going to
mix with the subjects soup, which he
will take In an hour or SO. Three or
four days phosphate treatment will in.
tensify the vibrations within the mag
netic field Of the cap. I was doing this
In view Of your return, when we shall
really begin to experiment seriously
Have you had any trouble--physical
trouble, l mean-with the subject?"
Gouldesbrough asked.
ooh. no." Guest replied, indifferently.
"Of course, he's as strong as a horse,
but the aluminium letters and the sys-
tenn Of indiarubber cord that o sug-
gested have proved all that was neces.
sary. I can render him quite helpless
directly / get inside the cell and be.
fore he could possibly reach me. Then
fitting the cap is a simple matter. The
head Is rigid In the vulcanite depres.
sion which encloses the neck, and
there is no resistance at ALL"
"Good!" Gouldesbrough answered
Cautiously enough, l found that design
In a strange old book published at the
time of the Reformation, detailing
some of the methods of the Holy Office
in Spain, with appropriate wood cuts
Guest chuckled horribly.
"Of course. as yet" Go~uldesbrough
went on, in calm, even tones, "the sub
ject has not the slightest idea what the
experiments mean? He doesn't know
why you At on the receiver? He Is
quite in the dark
Entirely" Guest answered; "and he
is at a loss to imagine what we are
doing to him."
"Ah. WELL" Gouldesbrough replied
when we do tell his"
ut will be lovely" the assistant re
piled, tittering once more. ITO watch
the pictures that come on the screer
when he knows that we are reading
his inmost thoughts, when he tries t.
control them, to alter them, and fail.
In his agony! When he realizes that h,
doesn't belong to himself any more!"
The creature rubbed its plump ant
delicate hands together In an ecstas,
of evil enjoyment.
II suppose" Gouldesbrough said
with some slight hesitation, "you'v,
gathered a good deal Of the fellow
opinions, memories, etc., lately?"
Never had such an amusing time Il
all my life," Guest answered. "Tv'
gone down and put On the cap and tie
him up. and I've come up and sat alon
In front Of the screen in room d. turr
ed on the generating current, and sa
In IN arm chair with a bottle Of whisk
on one side and laughed till I cried
Yeusl learn . few homo truths abou