Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-10-29

KS6SSSAV Carlton Clarke's study
gSMSA table. long cit
1sa9 there was a story con-
nscted with it, and bided in patience
the time when Clarke should see fit to
tell 1T.
The silver skull is pictured in my
minds eye as l write; the delicate
tracery of it's ornamentation; the al
most uncanny beauty of the head and
bust which formed the handle; the
face that always inspired in me rev.
erence and awe.
Across the pure white forehead, just
over the eye-sockets, was the word
"Ynath' beautifully inlaid in silver
script Looking through the eye-socket,
1t could be seen that the bone was
not cut through but the silver was
welded to it by some process with
which | was unfamiliar.
We had gone to bed early that night,
but it was so insufferably hot that
sleep was out of the question"
awoke with start, conscious that
something was wrong. The sight
! saw for moment robbed me
of all power of voice or motion. A
crouching figure was creeping slowly
toward me across the library floor with
arms outstretched toward the shining
silver skull on the table.
Standing in Clarke's doorway was
another figure, white robed, and mo-
tionless but for the flashing eyes that
truder's back.
The figure in the doorway was
Clarke, clad in white pajamas, stand
ing erect, his arms folded. | was con-
cerned to notice that he had no
weapon, while the intruder carried in
his right hand stiletto which flashed
in the dim light.
Suddenly the tableau broke into a
riot of action. The intruder's fingers
were closing over the silver skull
Clarke's arm was outstretched, and
the one word "Stop!" in unruffled tone
broke the silence.
The figure turned and the stiletto
flashed in the light, sprang from my
bed and dashed through the portieres
The figure advanced toward Clarke
with weapon raised while / crouched
for spring at his throat But the
steady eyes and uplifted hand of my
companion told me that he had the sit
uation in hand
so you've come for it, Achmon,"
Said my companion, pushing a chair
toward our caller. who Imply sank
into it.
Come for her, yes. For what else
have ! traversed these thousands of
miles? For what else have / spent ten
weary years in your cruel, white mans
PRISON."
And for what else did you do for
DR.. Ranthan?" interrupted Clarke.
THE sahib does not know that new
power has been sent me- You can put
me in your prison but you cannot keep
me there. have left one; will leave
another. | will get the skull" returned
the Hindu doggedly.
Achmon and | are old friends, you
see he said to me.
But | noticed that Notwithstanding
his apparent nonchalance his eyes
never for a second left the Hindu.
Now, Sexton" said Clarke, when he
had filled three glasses, while we are
waiting for Ship I'll tell you little
story, and Achmon here will voucl
for the truth of it. After the fashion
of story-tellers, We will serve up the
mystery first and the n unfold the solu
ton, which, of coun ;, We have known
all the time. Get rny Sc :ap-book. thu
third from the right on the secont
shelf from the top in the first tier
Now open to page 302 and read tn,
Clipping from the New York Sun. Be
ing a reformed newspaper man yo
win recognize the head letter"
read aloud the following:
BELLEVUE STUDENT MYSTERl
OUSLY KILLED.
'Dr. John r. RaBthan, graduate
student in Bellevue Hospital. was foun
dead in his apartments near the no:
pital early this morning. A knife G
oriental design, imbedded by the fore
iof terrific blow in his breast, wa
lplainly the cause of his death. AS tn
doors were all locked from within. tn
FIRST theory of the police was suicid
hut the angle at which the blow wa
lstruck and the force with which It W.
delivered seem to suggest murder. u
Ranthan was said to be quiet and II,
assuming and without known encm.e
He had Travelled extensively and no
been . collector Of oriental curlos
ties
That's enough" said Clarke :"
ead the whole story il VIII lsa'