The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-08
III.

The servants had cleared the cloth and
Withdrawn. but still the merry company
fingered, according TO custom, over the
coffee and fruit and wire and cigars. In
formality prevailed as chairs were pushed
back, and now one and now another moved
here and there abOu the table, passing a
friendly or witty word.
No wonder. then, that no one noticed that
the professor ~sauntered down the long
corridor as il for a breath OF frcsher air;
no wonder his return 20 his seat attracted
no attention until he spoke.
"The darkness, Mr.. M~attinger," he began
in tones that thrilled and held; our magma
ton shrinks from contemplating its nature
and power. 1t symbOlises our ignorance
and mortality. We spend half our life
fighting il, yet it conquers in the end.
1T il a constant threat, the threat OF the
unknown. Suppose all artificial light should
fail. just as you feared this afternoon that
your electric light might fail. How long
do you think it would be before, nOtwith-
sanding all the boasts of civilization. we
reverted to the condition of our prinsval
ancestors, governed by emotions rather
than reason; yielding TO impulses instead Of
controlling Them?
Take the current phrase, the light Of the
reason-do you see how significant IL is3
The darkness ~ the dwelling Llace Of viz
lence and fear. within il brood the abnor
IN llitieS Of the min 1; sudden Iecolleo-
tons, melted By terror
just thel the electric light went out with
a suddeaAeSs hat PROVOKED screams and
gases. Tn house was black, blacAer even
than the blacxness of the outer night.
Now. don't get ratified, you fDlSs.'
rlS- ell Mr. Mattlnger, and for hsIVe.I 5
sake. prOfe Ssor. let W on our pri nevaI
ancestors. This - Just what feJ,c1 and
thought | had remediei, s)me lel< il Ire
conductors the generators a"e all right.
well, III have to grOi e back TO tho ! over
house and see If anything can be done.
Men lwhile the only thing TO do is to ST.
still; there's wassail in plenty and within
reach. Caotain and Philig, you migi,
light matches by tIrA--"
CaDt. DevOl strnCS a match. The bliIish
light sputtered and Aaren. showing Mrs.
M~attinger's face ghastIy, even ghoStIy.
pale. like one who sees a vision.
It's the only one | have" sail the
Captain; swapping his fingers as if the
match had burned down. But he gave
the match safe TO Mrs. Mattinger.
81 will fetch other, >" re Jliel MrS. Mat
finger as IL to a suggestion.
Philip Bruno. with "A laugh, struck a
match, and almost instantly e~Atinguished
il. SO impressed was he with the resolution
on Miss Gorse's face.
You might tell her, If you will. he said.
that that was the only one l had too,
worse luc.S." Blu he gave the match safe
And a second nutter succeeded the
f'utter of Mrs. M~attinger's skirts down the
corridor.
Talk some more. professor" said the
Captain almost sayagely. 1T can't make
The professor has chosen the better
part Of sleep. l guess sneered Philip
Bruno, az there was no response from the
learned man.
Then he must have crawIed into some
corner first, /" continued the Captain, groLing
with his hands, "fOr he is not here
And with that there were faint screams
and puns of smoke that might otherwise
have been gasps.
How spooky we are" jeered Bruno.
"when, as Mattinger said. there are plenty
of good spirits to keep the evil spirits away.
| Here are glasses and decanters galore.
Pc a man OF feeling. Captain, and I'LL them
up and pass them around, while I lead in
the chorus, 80 loud and ROnorous."
And he trolled blithely. Let every good
fellow now I'LL up his glass.
But the effect was CHASTITY. even ghOstly.
not ~withstanding: as Intellectual as the
lighting of the matches against the press
and weight of the b~lackness. Quick gulps
indicated the zest with which the brandy
was taken, but il sobered and settled rather
| than enlivened. Stiffness prevailed, tingled
with a sense OF suIIen expectancy.
Then OF a sudden the lights shot up and
shone full and intense. In the doorway
stood the professor.
Come" he said with sOmbre authority.
And with glances askance and with lips
quivering or compressed the company
huddled after him.
Through tho long glaring corridor Inc up
the broad stairs the professor led the way 10
the front hall. At this instant there were
rapid steps from the rear, and Mr.. Mat
finger confronted them, breathleas like one
who had run a race, bewildered like one not
' knowing which goal to choose for safety.
There's been some trickery here he
said with an effort, THAT break we re-
one has msnaSed 70 intsroeut he ourrenf
and then turn II on again for his own base
purposes"