The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-07-25
CHAPTER v.
A Conspiracy of Scientists.

Sir William G~ouldesbrough had
been up very late the night before.
He came down from bis room on a
grey morning a fortnight after the day
on whic. he had told Marjorie some.
thing of his hopes. 1t was nearly IL
o'clock. He had not retired to rest
until 4 upon the same morning. And
when he had at last left the great
laboratories built out at the back of
the house, he had stumbled up to his
room, a mar drunk with an almost in
descyibable suceess-a success of de.
tail so per ct and complete that his
intelligence staggered before the SUI
preme triumph of his hopes.
But the remaining portion of the
night, or rather during the beginning
Of the chill wintry dawn, he had lain
alone In his great Georgian bedroom
watching the grey light filtering in
flood by flood, until the dark became
something more terrible, something
filled with vast moving shadows, with
monstrous creatures which lurked in
the corners of the room, with strange
half lights that went and came and
gave the wan mirrors of the wardrobe,
of the mantelshelf a ghost-like life,
only to withdraw it and then once
more to increase 1t.
And as this great and famous man
lay In Lis vast, lonely room without
power of sleep two terrible emotions
surged and throbbed within him-two
emotions, IN their intensity, too great
for one mind to hold.
One was the final and detailed tri-
umph OF all he held dear in the world
OF science and in the department of
his life's work. The other was the
imminent and coming ruin of his
hearts hope. Of the love which had
come to him, and which had seemed
the most wonderful thing that life
could give.
Yes, there he lay, a king of intellect,
a veritable prince Of the powers of
the air! And all his triumph was but
as dust and ashes and bitterness, be-
cause he knew that he was losing a
smaller principally, perhaps, but n
he held dearer than all his other pos
sessions.
Emperor of the great grey continent
OF science, he must now resign his
lordship OF the little rosy principally
Of Love.
So, as he came down stairs close
upon midday of the winters morning.
tall, distinguished figure in his long
dressing gown with its
suggestion of a monks robe, the but.
Ter. who was crossing the hall at the
time. was startled by the fixed palor
his face.
The man went up to him.
Excuse me, Sir William" he said,
but you're working too hard. You're
not well, sir. You mustn't overdo 1t.
have got you a sole and mushrooms
breakfast, sir, but | should not adj
wise you to touch 1t, now I've seen
you. II you'll allow me to offer my
should suggest a bowl of
soup"
Thank you. Delaine," Sir William
answered. But I don't, think | could
take anything at present. Will you
send my letters into the study?o
Yes. Sir William the man re.
Piled; and | shall make so bold as to
bring you a bowl Of soup in half an
lour as we'll"
Gouldesbrough crossed the great
gloomy hall and entered the study.
A bright fire was glowing on the
hearth, the place was all busted. tidy.
md cheerful, even though the world
was q blank wall Of fog.
He stood up In the middle OF the
'oom, tall, columnar. with a great dig
aity about him. had there been any
me there to see. It wa Z dual dlgni.
sy-the dignity Of supreme success
faS d3kAity q tfrsmsdiaias pain.