The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-10-11

You know how that happens some
times?"
Precisely, Sir william, ard the
fact is a scientists greatest pleasure
very often. Now, may l ask you-you
will excuse an old mans impatience-
may l ask you II you have finally u
ceeded? When I last saw you the
composition of the spectrum present
ed a ~diflculty."
That I have now completely e
come, Lord Malvin."
Lord Malvin trembled, actually
trembled with excitement. Then the
series OF experiments Is complete?"
quite. And more than that, I
have done, not once or twice, but
many times, exactly what l told you
I hoped to do. The thing, my lord, is
an accomplished fact, indisputable,
certain!"
Lord Malvin turned to Sir Harold
Oliver and Megbie.
Gentlemen" he said, In a clear
voice, but full of profound emotion,
"the history Of life is changed. We
all must stand In a new relation to
each other. to society, and to the
world"
Donald Megbie knew that here was
the chance Of his literary lifetime.
Lord Malvin would lev have spoken
in this way without due consideration
and absolute conviction. Something.
Something very big, indeed. was In
the air. But what was 1t? The jour-
nalist had not an idea as yet.
He looked eagerly at the aquiline.
ascetic face of the inventor, marked
the slight smile Of triumph that ling
cred round the lips, and noted how
the eyes shone-brilliantly, steadily,
as II they were lighted from behind.
Megbie had seen many men In many
countries. Before everything he was
the complete student Of contemporary
humans, and as he looked keenly at
Sir william Gouldesbrough two
thoughts came into his mind. One was
something like this: You are certain
ly one Of the most intellectual and re-
markable men now living; you are
unique, and you stand upon a pedestal
of fame that only one man In several
generations ever reaches: all the
same, I shouldn't like to be In your
power O to stand in your way. And
moreover, the question came to the
quick, analytic brain of the writer
whether the brilliance Of those lamp
lit eyes wal wholly natural - was
wholly zane.
These twin thoughts wer born
and over In a flash. and even as he
thought them Megbie began to speak.
"Now that Lord Malvin has told ue
so much, Sir William" he said, won't
you tell US some more? suppose
you know that all the world Is waiting
for 8 pronouncement?"
'The world will know very soon,
Mr.. Megbie," Gouldesbrough answer
ed. pleasantly. I'm about a fortnight's
time I am sending out Invitations to
some Of our leading people to witness
the result Of my experiments In my
laboratories. hope l may have the
pleasure Of seeing you there also. But
II you wish It, l will certainly give
you . slight idea Of the work. Since
the public seem interested in what
am doing. and something seems to
have leaked out, l am quite willing
that they should know moro. And. Of
course, there II no one TO whom I
would rather say anything than your
SELF"
Megbie bowed. He was tremendous
~ excited. Brother writer's who did
not make = tenth Of his income, and
had not q quarter Of his eminence.
were wont to say that his ears
twitched when in the presence Of .
great celebrity. This no doubt val
calumny, but the Journalist stood In
an attitude Of strained attention-as
we'll . man might stand when the 20
cret Of the hour wal about to be re-
vealed to him In preference to all 9TH
or men.
Gouldesbrough bowed to Lord Nal
vim.
I'm going to have half an hours
conversation with Mr.. Megbie." he
said. Meanwhile. my lord. l wonder
II you would give Sir Harold Oliver 4
slight technical outline Of my pro-
cesses. And. OF course, n I under
stand this 10 to be in some sense q
night o. which your friends are to be
given some general information, I
shall place myself entirely in your
hands - 70 any revelations you may
think VropAr to make"