The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-08-09
The Man With the Master Mind

/ Il u,
vengeance had reached Ranthan, and
to India would his slayer return. /
watched the docks and nabbed Ach-
mon. In his possession, and carefully
guarded, was the silver skull. This
| alone convicted him, for I knew it
was useless TO tell an American jury
what / read behind those eyes, that
would Stay me now if they had the
basilisk's power. The sentence was
life, yet here he is.
Then we can save the state of Illi-
nois something by returning him to
New York" said Inspector Ship, who
had arrived in time to hear. with star
| ing, incredulous eyes the most of
| Clarke'S story.
Not until / have made an expert
ment." said Clarke. "Achmon, you say
you have the secret. Prove it, and the
skull is yours
II know not if the conditions be
right, sahib, but I will try" returned
the Hindu.
Rapidly he cleared the table of all
save the silver skull, which he placed i'll
the center. AT his direction Clarke
then lighted the gas, turned 1t down
until only a point of flame showed, and
put out the electric light. He then
ranged us in half-circle before the
skull The inspector, who at first de-
clined to be party to the improTnptu
seance. but was finally persuaded. was
on the right. Then came the Hindu,
then myself, and then Clarke A. the
mediums orders we then clasped hands
and waited, our eyes on the grinning
skull before us. No sound broke rhe
silence save our regular breathing,
which shortly fell into unison. The
Hindu's hand in mine burned like 4
coal of fire. My nerves began to feel
the strain. I was relieved when, with
a sidelong glance of the eye, l noted
| that Ships free hand was in his side
pocket. and l felt sure he fingered the
| butt of a revolver The fitful light
seemed to crown the bust on the skull
with phosphorescent aura. The dia-
mond in the upper incisor flashed like
point of fire. Clarkes hand in mine
was as steady as the cylinderhead of a
marine engine.
Suddenly the Hindu began to intone
monotonously and seemingly without
| end:
"Ynath. come, Ynath. comel Ynath,
conner
| On. on. on until nv brain reeled and
my whole being revolted at the refrain.
My eyes were glued to the face on
the skull. Could it be? Yes, the skull
gradually was fading from view and
the silver bust was rising and growing
larger, larger, and nearer, until
l stole glance at the inspector: he
saw it as well-a glorious figure stood
before us, the eyes flashing, the nostriis
distended. and the breast heaving with
sentient life.
The power of description is palsiad
at the attempt to picture her. Loosely
clad in folds of shimmering silk
through which every line and curve
| showed as in bas-relief. she was the
living presentment of the face on the
skull: but added to the cold beauty OF
line she had the warm loneliness OF
life and color that even the ghostly gas
light could not conceal. A diamond
flashed from her right upper incisor
when she opened her red lips in a
smile. Two other diamonds were set in
the sides of the nostrils. after the fash
ion of the dancing girls in the temple
of Trichinopoly.
| Then she spoke. doubtless in her ma
tive Hindustani. The words were I'M
Ineligible, but the sweetness of the
voice was as of a maid singing in the
twilight.
"Ynath. have called thee" answered
| Achmon. 'I would question thee. An
swer in the tongue thou learned in tine
Ferihghee mission. What hand slew
him of the damned soul, who was called
Ranthan?"
Il slew him. Achmon. 1 loved him
not. He lured me with his tales of the
cities of men. as the flame lures the
moth. I followed him and happiness
was mine for a space. And then
knew l was a woman Of lost caste, In
but not of the life around me. l pinned
for the hills of Mussoorie. 1 passed and
was free until he learned the great
secret of the Master-knot."
Does he not then offend thee in the
ethereal world ?" questioned Achmon.
mo, Achmon. he passed out into ut
ter darkness. and. moreover, the freed
soul is at liberty to seek only its af-
finities. L am weary, Achmon, anc
would return
go, then. light of my soul. and
await my CALI
Slowly the vision faded. Through the
hazy folds of the silken robe again ap-
peared the dim outlines of the skull or
the table Clarke released my hand and
the electric lights flashed up. The in
spector sat as in a trance, his eyes
still glued to the skull.
Il have won. Achmon" cried Clarke
II saw nothing and you know 1t.
keep the skull
Il bide my time" returned the HindI
sulkily.
The light of dawn was beginning tt
show through the windows. The in
spector sprang up with sudden &C
cess of energy.
well. wellr' he said. Got to b.
getting this chap to the station. You'll
make a charge. of course, Mr.. Clarke
In case New York don't want him. 81
around about ten. Here, my man,
guess we'll just put the bracelets OF
you. You won't try any or your A. p
A tricks with them"
Achmon meekly extended his hands
l thought 1t was largely buster, and
was not surprised when, just as the1
were ready to start, the inspector
turned to Clarke. and in a perfect!
audible whisper. said:
Mr. Clarke, couldn't you come oil
with us? 1 don't mind admitting In
a bit creepy"
ut is not in the least necessary,
returned Clarke. Ghosts don't walk IL
the daytime, and besides, haven't yol
your driver outsider"
Didn't you see herr" l asked Clark
after the inspector had departed witt
his prisoner, and we were completing
our previous hasty toilettes.