The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-08-01
CHAPTER v.-(continued.)

to you n often rather RUBBED In the
fact that you wv me money and that
you've had to do things for me. For
| give me now, II you will. I'm going tc
call upon you for active friendship
--"
"Oh," C~harliewood answered, I'VE
won't talk about friendship between
you and me. I've done what had to
do, and there's enough"
Sir William still held him by the
shoulder. You don't really feel that,
Charliewood?" he said, in "a quiet
voice; and as he did so the magnetism
Of his personality began to flow and
flood upon the weaker man and iniu'
ence him to kindness.
We'll, we'll" he replied, what is 1t
now? suppose we've been running
round a vicious circle and we've come
to the last lap?"
That's just about it" Sir William
answered. Just let me say that this
Is the last service | shall ever ask
from you. I'll give you back all the
l. o. US and things. and I'll give you
enough money to put yourself ALSO
lu.ely right with the world, then we'll
say good by"
Charliewood started. That's awful
ly good of you" he said. 81 don't think
that want to say good by. But still,
what is it?"
"Rathbone,' Sir William answered,
pronouncing the name with marked
difficulty.
ITS all over. then?" Charliewood
answered.
yes"
Il thought 1t would be. / have told
you all that has been going on, and I
knew 1t would be-"
"She has written to me this morn
ing" Gouidesbrough said. "A kind let
ter, but a letter finishing 1t all"
Then the weaker, smaller man be-
came as so often happens in life, the
tempter, the instrument which moves
the lever of a mans career toward the
dark and sinister S. le OF the dial.
Charliewood was touched and moved
by the unex. ected kindness in his pat
ron's voice.
Don't say It's finished" he said;
nothing is finished for a man like you
with a man like ME to help him! OF
course it's not finished. You have not
always been all you might to me, Sir
William, but I'll help you now I'll do
anything you want me to do. Buck up,
old boy! You will pass the post first
by a couple Ct lengths yet
How"
well, what were you going to ask
me to do?"
They looked each other in the face
with glowing eyes, and a pale counte-
nance and a horrible excitement shone
out upon them both.
At that moment the door opened
very quietly and an extraordinary per.
son came into the room.
He was a short, fat, youthful looking
man, with a large, pink, and quite hair
less face. The face VS. extremely in
~telligent ~notioeably so, but 1t was
streaked and furrowed with dissipa'
ton. 1t told the story, not of the man
who enjoyed the sensuous things OF
life In company and as part OF a merry
progress toward the grave. but it be-
trayed the secret sot, the cunning
sensualist-private and at home.
This man was Mr.. Guest, Sir VIII
Jams faithful assistant in science, a
man who had no initiative power, who
could never invent a project or dis
cover a scientific fact, but a mar who,
when once put upon the lines he ought
to go, could follow them as the most
intelligent sleuth-hound in the seten:
tiic world.
Wilson. GGsc:. was perhaps the great.
est living physicist In Europe. He was
OF inestimable " Tue to his chief, and
he was content to remain between
the high, red brick walls OF the old
house in Regents Park. provided with
ull he needed for his own amusements,
and instigated to further triumphs
under the aegis of his master.
"Weu what is it," said this fat
youthful, and rather notwithstanding
person.
We've come to grips of the great
fact, Guest" Sir William answered
still with h s hand upon Charliewoods
shoulder.
The pink creature laughed a hollow
and merciless laugh.
Il knew 1t would come to this, he
| said, since you have added another
| interest to your scientific interests
Gouldesbrough. Why have you called
| me in to a consultation"
Gou.desbrough's whole face chang
ed; it became malignant--the face OF
a devil.
"Tm going to win," he said. 1--WE
| had a knocN-down bio but I'm going
| to get up ald win still! Mr.. Rathbone
must disappear. That can be easily
arranged with the at our
command"
Guest gave . horrible chuckle.
"And when we've got him" he said
HE must disappear for always
Gouldesbrough answered.
Quite easy" Guest replied. "Quits
easy. William. But not until we've
done with Linn. shall he!"