Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12

TO eat ana l woke up IN a hospital.
Well that's the story. Make what you like of
it. 1t can never be solved, of course 1t was three
years ago. You fellows know what have done in
meet that girl again should know herr, tell her
what know, and make her believe that it was
fault of mine
Hutchinson Hatch related the circumstances
casually afternoon day so later to Profess
sor Augustus S. F. x. Van Dusen-The Thinking
Machine.
That eminent man of science listened petulantly,
he listened to all things. 1t happened in this
city," he inquired at the end.
But Richards has no idea what part of the
cigar and naturally weakened condition made him
lose his bearings. while in the cab
Il dare say commented the scientist. and
of course he has never seen Mailman again ~
"No-he would have mentioned it if he had"
Does Richards remember the precise date of
Il dare say he does, though he didn't mention
it," replied the reporter.
Suppose you see Richards and get the date-ex-
actly, if possible, remarked The Thinking Machine.
You might telephone it to me- Perhaps" and
he shrugged his slender shoulders,
g You think there is possibility of solving the
Certainly" snapped The Thinking Machine lit
requires solution. 1t is ridiculously simple,-ob
yious ! might say,-and yet l dare say the girl
huge plot. It's worth looking into for her sake"
Remember, it happened three years ago."
suggested
1T wouldn't matter particularly if it happened
three hundred years ago. declared the scientist
Logic, Mr. Hatch, remains the same. through all
the ages-from Adam and Eve to us. Two and two
made four in the Garden of Eden just as they do
in counting house. Therefore, the solution, l
say. is absurdy simple The only problem is to dis
and child could do that"
Later that afternoon Hatch telephoned to The
Thinking Machine from the Mummers Club
That date you asked for was May 70, three
years ago. said the reporter.
Very well" commented The Thinking Machine
Drop by tomorrow afternoon. Perhaps we can
solve the riddle for Richards"
Hatch called late the following afternoon, as
directed but The Thinking Machine was not in.
He went out about nine o'clock and hasn't re-
turned yet" the scientists aged servant, Martha
informed him.
That night about ten o'clock Hatch used the
telephone in second attempt to reach The Think
ing Machine
He hasn't come in yet" Martha told him over
the wire. He said he would be back for luncheon;
but he isn't here yet.
Hatch replaced the receiver thoughtfu1y on the
hook. Early the following morning he again used
the telephone and there was note of anxiety
in Marthas voice when she answered
what ought to do! I'm afraid something has hap
pened to him..
Don't do anything yet" replied Hatch. Il dare
say he II return to-day.
Again at noon at six o'clock, and at eleven that
night Hatch called Martha on the telephone. Still
the scientist had not appeared. Hatch too was
didn't know, and he hesitated to think of the pos
sibilities. On the morrow, however, something
must be done-he would take the matter to Detec-
tive Mallory at police headquarters if necessary
But this was made unnecessary Unexpectedly by
the arrival next morning of letter from The Think
ing Machine. AS he read, expression of utter
bewiderment oveTspread Hatch S face. Tersely the
letter was like this:
o'clock of night following the receipt of this letter
60 with him to the alley which runs behind No $40
tanl-c En&ar ho,,ca ~