Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-21


"Mr. Mallory won't see you. Come in out of
the door"
No tricks!" warned barrow fercely.
No tricks. Sit down"
With furtive glanceS to right and left along
the hall, the young man entered and dropped
into a seat in a corner facing them. There
was a long. tense silence, and finally the door
bell rang. barrow half rose, and made as if to
take his right hand from his pocket.
That's Mallory" remarked The Thinking
Machine, and he started toward the door
Darrow took one step forward, blocking his
way. Understand, please he began in
low, even voice, . | am utterly desperate, and
l won't be taken! If YOU attempt to betrav
me- /" He stopped.
The Thinking Machine walked round him
to the door leading into the hail. Martha, his
aged servant, was Just passing.
Mr.. Mallory is at the door, Martha" said
the scientist. Tell him am not in; but that
shall be at police headquarters within an hour,
and Mr.. barrow will come with me-
He stepped back into the laboratory and
closed the door, without even glance at his
visitor. They heard Martha open the front
door, then they heard Mallorys heavy voice,
finally Martha's answer. then the door was
closed, and Martha's footsteps passed along
the hall. Darrow suddenly rushed to the win
dow and glanced out.
"Al right, Mr.. Darrow," remarked the little
scientist, as he sat down. know now you
are innocent, know why you have been hid
ing out, know why you came here to me,
and | understand too your deep grief; so we
can come Immediately to the vital things
The young man turned and glared at the
small, impressive figure " You said would be
at police headquarters with you in an hour, he
said accusingly.
Certainly" agreed the scientist impatiently.
AS innocent YOU will go there of
your free will, with me-
The young man dropped into a chair and
sat there for long time with his face in his
hands. After awhile Hatch saw a teardrop
trlckle through the unsteady fingers and the
shoulders moved convulsivelv. The Thinking
Machine sat with head tilted back, squirting
upward and fingers at rest, tip to tip.
This trouble between you and Mr.. Bur-
dock:' suggested the scientist at last.
1ou don't know the malignant hatred he
has for me- said barrow suddenly. He is
not of great wealth, but he is a of
great power, great influence, and if | should
fall into the hands of the police with the cir
cumstantlal case against me that now exists
he would bring all that power and influence
to bear against me, with the result that |
should be railroaded to a felon's grave. |
don't know just how he would do it; but he
would do it. I'm afraid of him-that's why
L came here to see You when | wouldn t dare
60 to the police. | won't be taken by the po-
then will surrender"
The Thinking Machine nodded.
The enmity existing between us is of years
standing, and is not of Importance here,
DdI1OW went on bul KNOW tnlS man
power-I have felt it all my life-he has
brought me to the edge of starvation half
dozen times, pursued me in every walk of
life, until now-now, if | should have to COM
nit murder, he would be the victim. I'm
telling you this because"
All this is of no consequence" interrupted
The Thinking Machine shortly. Who poi
soned the rose,'
q don't know replied barrow he1plessly
You must have some idea, " insisted The
Thinking Machine.
Il did have an idea" was the reply. -
went this morning to place to see "a per-
son whom | intended to accuse openly of the
crime, taking the chance of capture myself,
much as | dreaded it; but there was no one
there. The door was locked; a servant con-
nected with the apartment house told me that
the-the person had not been there for a day
or So"
The Thinking Machine turned quickly in
his chair and glared at barrow curiously.
whats her name?" he demanded sharply.
81 don't know that she could have had any
thing to do with it" warned Darrow. 1T
seems awful to suspect such a thing, and
yet" He stopped. 81 will go there with
you to see her if You wish
Mr.. Hatch" directed The Thinking Ma
chine, step into the next room there and
telephone for cab" He turned again to
barrow. "She threatened you, or Miss Bur-
dock, l imagine"
yves - said Darr1yr ra11ctant11