The Washington herald., 1908-05-20
THE SOUL OF CROESUS
BY GERALD VILLIERS-STUART.


your position. Won Tarsenheim thinks
you ought not TO know the exact results
of~this experiment TO yourself, but
tell you this much-it wifi affect your
future It is a mortgage on your future
one which you win not be able 10 pay
of"
''The MANNED guinea-pig after the ex-
pertinent, said Fabian, tensely.
IF l understand right, you will be as
sound after the experiment as you are
before. Isn't that so?" He turned to
Won Tarsenheim.
IT'S most probable" he answered.
This young man has sold himself, body
and soul. asking no questions, expecting
the worst; but if you tell him, I shall
have 90 get another subject, and It is not
so easy-that is, the suitable young man
and he will lose ten thousand pounds!'
You hear7" he said 70 the young man.
Can you imagine any consequences so
bad that you would rather not go on with
this? If you can, we viii call it OF. III
give You-- How much time can We give
him. Won Tarsenheim2'
The occultist looked at his watch
-Four minutes" he replied: but IT is q
pity" And he left the room, looking
back craftily at the two young men.
You hear? -Four minutesl You have
four minutes TO decided" cried Vandrak-
en-, impatiently. He was feeling annoyed
at the turn things were taking.
Let me think answered the youth,
his face buried in his naf.,.s. MY God.
It's a frightful decision-and I've spent
ten pounds already"
Don't let that worry you" said Van
draken. hastily. That part Of it is all
right"
There was no sound IN the room for
the next two minutes, while Fabian Dare
sat with his head bowed down on the
table What was that word he had
heard? ''Scapegoat'- the future.
What could Il be that he mustn't know?
Oh, it was ali too ghastly 10 go on with
He was releaseo-he would gol
The door opened. and Won Tarsenheim
entered. smiling. as usual
Fabian rose 10 his feet I can't
Behind her father came Elsa, with a
tray and decanter.
Give back that ten thousand pounds
he finished, and sat down again. His
eyes were full Of Elsas beauty and in
his ears rang those words OF Won larsen
helm, Before the shops are shut"
You see said the occuitist to Van
draken, he has made his decision. He
consents. There was q rising excite
meat in his voice. He looked more hu-
man.
Elsa put down the tray. She looked
anxiously at Fabian, and seemed to be
trying to nerve herself 10 speak. Van
draken was looking at her with hungry
admiration.
Thank you, Elsa. We, ourselves. can
pour out the wine. We will not give
you the trouble" Her father vas look
ing at her menacingly. You may GO
Under his gaze Elsa shuddered, gave
one pitying glance at Fabian, and left
the room Her father held the door open.
and bolted II behind her.
Vandraken poured cut a drink and
gulped part OF it down.
Won Tarsenheim came over 10 Fabian
Dare. Come! Pour yourself out a glass. y
He filled one for himself. and poured one
out for the other. Let US drink TO the
success Of the experiment. It is a great
moment-it will be a great vict0ry-the
first triumph OF man over the law Of the
universe-the conquest Of the twin ene-
mics Of pleasure-consequen and re-
morse! To the moment when the gods
shall cease laughing at meni Come
drinki" He raised his glass TO his lips
ct<A eAlAAlA AAtG AtAO D0A1At-
ITO the devil with consequences To
600, COO worth of pleasure and a dime $
worth of pain" he cried, excitedly.
Fabian was the only one sitting down.
He looked from the man who was mask
ed with motor goggles. endowing him
with q suggestion OF relentlessness, TO the
man who masked himself behind thai
overpowering smile.
God help the guinea pi6" he mutter-
ed. and took drink.
Won Tarsenheim went to the corner OF
the room and drew back the curtains
from the glass case with the partition in
the middle. He turned switch, and the
colored lights began 10 fash in the
vacuum tubes which ran across the TOP
Of the case. A wire ran through each
tube, and the ends hung down on each
side OF the partition and were carried
into a collar. On the outer side of the
collar were switch keys, on the inner
small sponges.
The inventor looked lovingly at the ap-
paratus. and ran his hand caressingly
down the glass sides. Gomez he called
to Fabian. II wish that you take your
place on this seat" indicating the metal
stool The youth collected himself
walked over 70 the apparatus. with as
sumed nonchalance, and took his seat
as Won Tarsenheim indicated.
You must take of your collar" The
words sounded peculiar to him. Why. il
might be hairdresser's shop, he thought.
with that whimsical turn a man
thoughts take on momentous occasions.
Vandraken was again pacing the room
excitedly. wishing it was ali over.
Fabian removed his own collar, and
Won Tarsenheim adjusted the collar OF
sponges. You will feel nothing" he
said THE wires are not at present con-
nected."
IT shall now hypnotic you. I advise
that you do not resist. for as you are
passive so will It be easier for you. II
is but going to sleep" Won Tarsenheinl
put the middle finger OF his right hand
on the young mans forehead he quiv-
cred all over, his hands clawed the air
and then sank 70 his sides. He sat rigid
on the stool. Vandraken came over and
| looked at him curiously.
Poor devil How utterly helpless he
is And BY the way, as you are also
going 10 hypnotic me. I have taken the
precaution to station two private detec-
tives and doctor outside. II I'm not out
in two hours, they will come In
And why not? II Is a quite sensible
precaution. It Is. Ia fact, a wise pre-
caution that you take. Come, row