The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-06-28
or Dead?'
The Strange Disappearance of
Gerald Rathbone.
Nv cuv TbORNE. --
CHAPTER l.-(Continued.)
BY GUY THoRN6.


CHAPTER i.-(Continued.)
There are some people who are en-
inent in science, literature, or art, and
whose eminence is only appreciated by
a small number Of learned people and
stamped by an almost u~nregarded Of
fetal appreciation. These are the peo-
pie who, however good their services
may be, are lever in any sense pOpu-
lar names until many years after they
are dead, and their labors for humani-
ty have passed into history and so be-
come recognized by the crowd. But
there are other celebrities who are
popular and known to the man in the
street." Sir William Gouldesbrough
belonged to the latter class. Every
body knew the name of the famous
scientist. His picture was constantly
In the papers. His name was q house.
hold word, and with all his arduous
and successful scientific work he still
found time to be a frequent figure in
the best society, and a man without
whom no large social function, wheth-
or public or private, was considered to
be complete. He was the sort of per-
son. In short, Of whom one read in the
newspapers: "and among the other
distinguished guests were Sir Henry
Irving, Sir L. Alma-Tadema, Mr.. Rud-
yard Kipling and Sir William Gouldes-
brough."
He had caught the popular attention
M tho RnAt thnt h~ ~~,~- ~kltY
paratively young man of five-and-forty.
He had caught the ear and attention
Of the scientific world by his extraor-
binary researches into the lesser
known powers of electric currents.
Moreover-and 1t is an unusual COM
binatiOn-he was not only an investi-
gator OF the lesser-known attributes Of
electricity who could be ranked with
Tessler. Edison or M%arconi, but he
was a psychologist and pathologist Of
European reputation. He was said, by
those who knew, to have probed more
deeply into mental processes than al.
most any man OF his time, and for two
or three years now every one who was
on the inside track of things knew
that Sir William Gouldesbrough was
on the verge Of some ~stupendous dis
covery which was to astonish the
world as nothing else had astonished
It In modern times.
4 Eustace Charliewood appeared to be
an intimate friend of this great man.
He. wa often at his house, they were
frequently seen together. and the
reason for this strange combination
was always q fruitful subject of gos-
zip.
Serious people could not understand
what Gouldesbrough saw in a mere
pleasant hammered and idle clubman,
of nc particular distinction or impor-
lance. Frivolous society people could
not understand how Mr.. Charliewood
cared to spend his time with a nan
who took life seriously and was al
ity; while in the same breath they
rather admired ~Charliewood for being
intimate with such a very important
person In England as Sir William
Gouldesbrough undoubtedly was.
1 For two or three years now this
curious friendship had been a piquant
subject Of discussion. and both Sir
Williams and Mr.. Charliewood's most
intimate friends had spent many pleas
ant hours in inventing this or that
base and disgraceful reason for such
Z combination.
Yet, as the cab rolled smoothly up
Portland Place. Mr.. Charliewood did
not look happy. He threw his cigar
away with q petulant gesture, and
watched q street arab dive for it
among the traffic with q sneer Of dis
gust.
He unbottoned his heavy astrachan
coat. It felt tight across his chest, and
he realized that his nerves were still
unstrung. despite the efforts Of the
morning. Then he took a checkbook
from his pocket and turned over the
o~ounterfoils till he came to the last
balance. He frowned again. put it
away. and once more leant back with
sigh OF resignation.
In q few more minutes the cab drew
up ct Z wall which encircled a fair
otxed house Of red brick, q house built
A the Georgian period.
Only the top OF the place could be
ooen from the street, as the walls
wore somewhat unusually high. while
tho only means OF entrance was q
groen door let into the brickwork.
With . brass bell-pull at one side.
q 8 mOment or two the door opened
- .Chariiewo0d's ring. and . man
'aofvant or the discreet and ordinary
TIRE Stood there waiting.
sCood Afternoon, sir" he said: "Sir
EVvnnam expects you"
aCharllewood entered and walked
w3de Grhyei path toward the
,poruco q the house. chatting casually
10 the butler - 10 went.
Il could now b seen that Sir Will
Ian GouldesbroagA's residencs was :
lyrical mansion eqeorgs Is reign.
10 brick was nh 5oWed 70 = pleasant
,As4umnal tint. IN Window with their
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