Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-10-17
Alive or Dead?'|
The Strange Disappearance Of
Gerald Rathbone.

BY guy THoRNE.


place stupendous revelation was be-
ing made. A tale, which the widest
imagination would have hesitated to
give place in the mind, was being
poured into the ears Of one who was
the mouthpiece of the public. To-
morrow all the world would be think.
ing the thought experiencing the
same mental disturbance that Donald
Megbie was experiencing now. The
cables would be flashing the news
through vast cities and over the beds
of mighty oceans to the farthest cor
ner of the habitable globe.
Magbie realized something Of this.
Il feel my responsibility very acutely."
he said. you have put into my hands
one Of the greatest chances that any
writer of the public press has ever
had. Before begin to write anything
I must be alone to thiak things over.
You may well imagine how all this
has startled me. For the thinking
man it almost has an element of ter
ror. One feels an awe that may in any
moment change to fear! When l first
saw Mont Blanc felt as do now"
Sir William gazed keenly at his
companion. Megbie was obviously I'M
strung. 1t was curious to see how
this revelation had gripped and in
fuenced the keen, cool-headed man Of
the world, curious and full of thrill
exquisite in its sense of power aud do
minion. The tall figure of the scient-
list lowered over that Of the other
man. Gouldesbrough had risen, the
usual reserve of his manner had
dropped away from him, and great
ideas Of exultation seemed to carry
him swiftly and irresistibly to the
very heart Of human things. During
the long years Of experiment and toll
Gouldesbrough had occasionally
known these moments Of savage costa
'sy. But never had he known a mo-
ment so poignant, SO supreme as this
As he stood there the thought came to
him that he alone stood apart from all
created men in the supremacy Of in
tellect, in the majesty of an utter
sovereignty over the minds Of man.
kind.
The rush Of furious emotion master
ed him for a moment, so terrible was
1t in intensity and strength. YES" he
cried, with wild gesture of his arm
and in high, vibrating voice. Eyes!
you are right! You have said what all
the world is about to say. | have
stormed the heights of the unknown!
The secrets of all mems hearts are
mine, and claim an absolute knowl-
edge of the soul even as my Maker
claims it,"
Megbie started from his reverie. He
stared at the tall, swaying figure with
fascinated eyes as he heard the bold
and terrible words. Was it not thus
that Lucifer himself had spoken in
Millions mighty poem?
And how had the star of the morn
ing fallen?
Once more the thought flashed into
his mind that there was something Of
madness in those blazing eyes. Howev-
or great a miracle this man had done,
we're not these words of tremendous
arrogance the symptom Of brain
destined to blaze up for moment in
mighty triumph and then to pass into
he dark?
Who could say? Who could tell?
Suddenly Megbie realized that Sir
William was speaking in an ordinary
voice.
Forgive me-" he was saying, quiet
y, and with a half laugh. ..I'm afraid
let myself go for a moment. It's not
] thing often do, you know. But you
were SO appreciative! Now you will
please let me run away 1 am
afraid have already been here too
long. / have promised to take Miss
Poole in to supper"
He shook hands and hurriedly walk
I'D away.
Megbie sat where he was for few
longer. He intended to leave
he house quietly and so home to his
chambers in the Temple, perhaps
ooking in at one OF the clubs on the
u He did not want the innunaera-
ole questions. the pressure Of the curl
,us, which he knew would be his lot if
he remained any longer In Portland
Place.
His mind was in whirl, entire sol
ltude would alone enable him to col
lect his thoughts.
He rose to leave the conservatory
when he saw something bright upon
the chair on which Sir William
Gouldesbrough had been sitting.
~ 81
It was q cigarette case
Megbie realized that Gouldesbrough
had forgotten it. Being unwilling to-
seek out the scientist, Megbie put the
case n his pocket, meaning to send
It round to Sir w illiam's house in the
morning Then he went swiftly into
the hall ana managed to get away out
OF the house without being questioned
or stopped.
IT was clear, bright night. There
was less smoke about Ii the sky than
usual. and the swift motion Of the.
hanson cab was exhiIarating. How
fortunate Sir William was! 60 the
Journalist thought as he was driven
through the lighted streets. He stood.
uponSa supreme pinnacle 81 fame, and
beautiful Marjorie Poole q girl "a
make any man happy was being kind
to him again The ynyn 3 ~ s. = -