The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-11-29
ALIVE or Dead?'
The Strange Disappearance of
Gerald Rathbone.
Dy oUv THoaNE.

France, Germany and America were
present. Donald Megbie, the editor of
the Eastminster Gazette, and a fam
GUS novelist represented the press and
the literary world. ,
The Bishop of East London, frail,
alert, his gray eyes filled with eager
ness, was one of the guests. Dean
Gortre came with him, and the polit-
ical world had sent three ambassadors
in the persons of Mr.. ~Bosanquent, the
minister for industrial affairs, Sir
James Calross and Sir William Glen
Dining. There was an academican
who looked like a jockey, and a Judge
who looked like a trainer. The rest of
the guests we're all we'll known people,
who, if they were not particularly in
terested in science, were yet just the
people who could not be ignored on u
important occasion. That is to s.,
they belonged to that little coterie of
men and women in London who have
no other meter than to be present at
functions of extreme Importance. For
no particular reason they have become
fixtures , and their personalities are
entirely merged in the unearned eel.
ebrity of their name and the apparent
necessity for their presence.
The men in their black frock coats
passed over the great galleried hall
ladies and the gray plumes and feath-
ers of their hats did little to relieve
the general note of sadness, or to
bring any color into Sir William
Gouldesbrough's house.
Among the last arrivals of all were
Lady Poole and her daughter.
The guests had congregated In the
hall, where servants were handing
about tea, and where two great fires
warmed the air indeed, but could not
destroy the sense Of mental chill.
Sir William had not yet made his
appearance, and 1t was understood
that when the party was complete the
butler was to lead them straight to
the laboratories. The fact marked the
seriousness Of the occasion.
This was no social party, no scien.
tif1c picnic, at which n went to see
things which would interest and
amuse, and to chatter. just as one
chatters at an exhibition of water col
ors in Pail Mall.
Everybody felt this, everybody
knew it, and everybody experienced a
sense of awe and gravity, as befitted
people who were about to witness
something which would mark an
epoch in the history of the world and
change the whole course Of human
life.
AS Marjorie Pool came into the hall
with her mother, every one saw that
she looked Ill. Her face was pale,
there were dark lines under her eyes;
and, as she stepped over the threshold
Of the door. or two people noticed
that she shivered. 1t was observed.
also, that directly the two ladies en-
tered Lord Malvin, Sir Harold Oliver
and Mr.. Megbie went up to them In a
marked manner, and seemed to consti-
tute themselves as a sort OF b~odyguard
for the rest Of the stay In the hall.
"She does not look much like a girl
who is engaged to the most successful
man Of the day, does she?" Lady
Hosken-Hath said to Lord Landsend.
mo, you are right" Lord Landsend
whispered; "she 10 afraid Sir Will
Jams machine won't work, and that
the whole thing won't come OF, don't
you know. And for my part, though
don't profess to understand exactly
what Sir William is going to show us,
I'll bet a Aver that 1t Is not more won
derful than things I have een scores
OF times at Maskelyne and Cookies.
Wonderful place that, Is It not?
often 20 there on a dull afternoon; 1t
makes ones flesh creep, pom my word
it does. have been there about fifty
times, and l have never felt safe from
the disappearing egg"
The butler was seen to come up to
Lord Malvin and ask him a question.
The peer looked round, and seemed to
see that every n vas prepared to
move. He nodded to the man. who
crossed the hall, bowed. and opened q
door to the right Of the great central
staircase.
my master tells me to say. my
lord" he said. addressing Lord NAL
win, but including the whole Of the
company In his gaze-"my master
tells me to say that he will BE- very
much obliged II you will 60 into the
laboratory"
A footman went up to the door and
held 1t open, while the butler, with q
backward look, disappeared into the
passage and led the way toward the
real scene Of the afternoons events.
AS that throng Of famous people
walked down the long corridor which
led past the study door, not a single
one of them knew OF could surmise
that all and severally they were about
to experience the great emotion Of
their lives.
CHAPTER XXI.
The Doom Begins.
The visitors found themselves in
the laboratory. . large building lit by
means OF its glasa roof.