New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-20
THE THINKING
MACHINE

we know positively that the weapon was Bar
tow Gillespjes. then the probabilities become
facts"
There was still light. skepticaI expression
about Detective Mallorys mouth And on
the other hand" he said, I'VE have the prob
ability that the stranger came here and killed
Barlow Gillespie. that the sound OF the struggle
attracted James Gillespie attention, that ne
came in TO investigate, that he was threatened
and started 70 90 out. and that the stranger
fired the shot which struck hun in the back Of
the head"
"DHproved fatty by two points, " said The
Thinking Machine curtlv First, the fact
that the stranger deliberately LETT his revolver
If we accept your hypothesis, and second. by
the fact that" He paused, and turning
stared Curiously down into the face OF James
Gillespie
Detective Mallory waited impatiently for a
moment: then. And the second Is WHAT he
asked.
DO YOU know the motive for the murder
OF the Barrett childf" asked the scientist
rrelevantly.
No." said Detective Mallory IN some sur
" And do YOU know the motive for this
double crime. under your hypothesis"
No"
Wei. the motive IS written here" and the
scientist turned and thrust a long finger into
the palHd face of lanes Gillespie " 1t Is IN
the ewes. in the mouth. and still again its
written here" He pulled aside the tumbled
hair. and disclosed a bare spot Here Is a
scar. left months. perhaps years. ago by some
serious injury"
Why, don't see" began the detective
protcstngy.
"Of course You don't Sect snapped The
Thinking Machine What was found in
James GilleSpe's pockets
=" | don't know that there has been an exam
nation" said Mallory. We always leave
those things TO the medical examiner. where
there is no doubt of a mans IDENTITY
With deft fingers the scientist ranSacked the
slam mans clothes. From hip pocket he
drew a little bundle and threw it on the table
before Mallory. And there IS Your final
proof" he said " IL isn't even necessary now
10 prove that the revolver was Barlow Giles
pie's-we know it-know it as inevitably as
that two and two make four, MIR Mallory not
sometimes but al the time.
The little bundle that he had thrown on the
table was a roll OF PLAIN manila twIne-Just a
couple of Yards vt last the detective was be
| ginning 20 see.
But what possible motive'" he asked.
| Il told Mr. Hatch when ] investigated the
! Barrett affair that when all conceivable human
motives We're eliminated as seemed to be the
/ fact IN this ease. there remained only the
thIug-the creature. which Will act without
motive-an ape. for instance, interrupted The
| Thinking Machine. Il told hun afterward
| that there would probably be a second crime
under the same circumstances. and also that
we were pOwerlesS 70 prevent It. This IS the
! crime. There Is no motive for either.
! The old scar on this mans head. the eX-
preston of his face. and ms eyes particularly,
| show conClusively that he was a maniaC-iust
a shade the intellectual superior OF an ape,
with all the cunning of humanity distorted and
diseased into homiCidal mania. An exam
nation of his brain at the autopsy VIII prove
| al this even 10 YOU, Mr.. Mallory. How long
| he has been a maniac / don't know; Your IN
| designations will develop that That Is all. l
| think. Good day"
The Thinking Machine and Hutchinson
| Hatch walked down the street together.
| How is it," inquired the reporter THAT
| James Gillespie didn't kill Barrett at the same
| time he killed the little gIrl'"
| Il don't know" was the reply. at is
difficult enough. Mr.. Hatch TO follow the men
tai workings OF a sane man, when We have a
maniac. no one can say what he VIII DO next.
| We don't look into the matter but dare say
| that Gillespie never knew that child he killed.
| and could have had no motive"
And subsequently this proved to be true.