The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-06-20
or Dead?'
The Strange Disappearance of
Gerald Rathbone.
BY GUY THoRNE.
BY Y THoRNE.

turned a switch in the side Of the
pedestal.
Immediately an electric motor be-
gan TO purr inside like a great cat,
and the masseur brought the machine
in his right hand, which looked not
unlike a telephone receiver, down
upon the skin of the subjects face.
What was happening was just this.
A little vulcanic hammer at the end
of the machine was vibrating some
six thousand times a minute, and
pounding and kneading the flesh so
swiftly and silently that Charliewood
felt nothing more than a faint thrill as
the hammer was guided skillfully over
the pouches beneath the eyes, and
beat out the fiabbiness from the
cheeks.
After some FIVE minutes Proctor
switched of the motor and began to
screw a larger and differently-shaped
v~ulcanite instrument to the end of the
hand apparatus.
MI. Charliewood lay back in a mo-
ment Of intense physical ease. By
means OF the electrodes the recruiting
force had vibrated gently through the
nerves, new animation had come into
the blood and tissues Of the tired
face, and already that sensation Of
youthful buoyancy which is the surest
indication of good health was return
ing to the d~issipated mask.
Now, then, sir" said Proctor, i've
screwed on a saddle-shaped electrode
and I'll go up and down the spine, If
you please. Kindly stand up"
Once more the motor hummed, and
Mr.. Charliewood felt an indescribable
thrill of pleasure as the operator ap-
piled straight and angular strokes
Of the rapidly-vibrating instrument up
and down his broad back, impinging
upon the central nerve system Of the
body and filling him with vigor.
by Jove, Proctor" he said, when
the operation was over at last and the
man was brushing his hair and spray
ing bay rum upon his face, "by JOve.
this one of the best things I've ever
struck! In the old days one had to
have a small bottle of Pol Roger about
half-past eleven II n had been sit
ting up late at cards the night before.
Beastly bad for the liver it was! But
| never go out of this room without
feeling absolutely fit"
'Ah, sir" said Proctor, "it's aston
ishing what the treatment a do, and
it's astonishing what a lot Of gentle
men come to me every day at all
hours. My appointment book Is simp-
ly filled, sir-flled! And no gentle
man need be afraid now OF doing *
actly as he likes, till what hour he
likes, as long as he is prepared to
come to me to put him right in the
morning"
After making an appointment for
two days ahead, Mr.. Charliewood
passed out into the ante room once
more. During the time while he had
been massaged another client had en-
tered and was waiting there, lounging
upon a sofa and smoking a cigarette.
He was a tall, youngish looking mar
of about the same height and build as
Charliewood, light in complexion and
with curly yellow hair. He looked up
languidly as Proctor helped Charlie
wood into his fur coat. The first ar
rival hardly noticed him, but babe the
masseur a good day and went out
jauntily into Bond street with a nod
and a smile for the pretty girl who sat
behind the counter of the shop.
1t was a different person who walk
ed down Bond street toward Piccadil-
ly, a Mr.. Charliewood who looked
younger in some indefinite way, who
walked with sprightliness, and ver
whose lips played a slight and salts
fed smile.
It was not far down Bond street
now more bright and animated than
ever-to Mr.. Charliewood's club in st.
James street, a small but well known
establishment which had the reputa-
ton of being more select than 1t really
was.
Swinging his neatly rolled umbrella
and humming a u n to himself under
his breath, he al up the steps and
entered. A porter helped him of
with his overcoat, and he turned into
the smoking oom to look at the let
tiers which the porter had handed him,
and to get himself in a right frame Of
mind for the important function Of
lunch.
In a minute or two, with a sherry
and bitters by his side and a Parascho
cigarette between his lips, he seemed
the personihcation OF correctness,
good humor and mild enjoyment.
Very little was known about Eus-
tace Charliewood outside his social
life. He lived In chambers In Jermyn
street, but few people were aver in
vited there. and 1t vas obvious that
he must use what was actually his
home as very little mor tnan a place
in which to sleep and take breakfast.
He was of good family, there was no
doubt about that, being a member Of
the Norfolk Charliewoods, and a sec
ond son Of old Sir Miles Charliewood,
OF Kings Lynn. Some people said
that Eustace Charliewood was not re-
ceived by his family. that there had
been some quarrel many years before.
This rumor gained general belief as
Charliewood Eve seemed to be
asked to go down to his fathers place
for the ahoOtin0 or fndoad unon INV