The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-09-18
The Death Head
Observation-Disclosures JJ5JJ555JlT,515IS|

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES JJJJ15NIl5lTl5I@
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It was bought by Mortimer Davent
at a sale held in a rambling old country
house somewhere within twenty miles
Of London, and he was first attracted
to 1t by Its horribly repulsive appear
ance.
l allude to the mummified head of a
Chinaman In sealed glass case,
shrunken and brown in appearance, and
with the lips, as is usual stitched to-
gether. 9
Not very formidable so far, and it
was not until you noticed the eyes that
you realized how extremely sinister an
aspect they gave to the whole face.
Deeply sunken with half-closed lids,
they gave one ever the chilling impress
sion that the sight still lurked within
them, and move where you would about
the room their stealthy gaze would fol-
low.
Mortimer Davent was a strange man,
and strange things had a fascination
for him, therefore he carried his treas
ure home and placed it amongst the
almost unique collection Of curios he
had gathered upon his travels abroad.
And that same day there came an old
and valued friend to see him. He ar
rived rather early in the evening. to
find Davent alone in his study, with
a pipe between his teeth, gloating over
his latest purchase. AS the visitor was
announced. he rose quickly, and moving
the case aside, came forward with out
stretched hand.
very man wanted to see Sit down at
once and light up. I've got something
to show you"
Nothing 10th, Crosby drew up chair
and rubbed his hands in pleased antici-
patton.
whats the treasure this time?' he
inquired with interest. 81 thought you'd
got everything worth having in that
collection of yours. What is it? An
other bronze?"
cealing the case with his sleeve.
wrong, old fellow. Guess again -
"a crystal! A rare piece of china
A black-letter book Then seeing that
Davent still shook his head: II give
1t up. Show it to me, whatever it is,
and put an end to my suspense"
tits the mummified head Of a Chi
naman!" said Davent.
His friends face fell. "Is that ALP
he exclaimed. "Why, you bought head
not so very long ago! 1 thought you
had discovered something out of the
ordinary"
"Well, this is out Of the ordinary,
replied Davent, and, moving his arm
he drew the case forward until it stood
exactly beneath the rays Of the bis
shaded lamp above them. Have the
goodness to examine that face care
tully!"
Crosby, bending forward, complied
Then he drew back and, sitting upright
gave low whistle of surprise.
"Jove, man! You are right" he com
y
Those eyes, If they were fully opened
would be simply diabolical. The fellow
must have been as cunning as old Nick
himself. I'm hanged If the brute isn't
watching us all the timer
There you are! That's just it'
cried Davert excitedly. 1.-The very
thing that struck me! The whole even
ing I've sat in this room, and the beg
gar's never once taken his eyes of me
A minute ago 1 could have sworn h
was grinning at me-"
Crosby sprang to his feet.
Look here" he exclaimed. I'm 60
ing to fetch old Hammond. We mus
see If he notices anything strange
He's lived in China nearly all his life
and if there should be anything super
natural about the thing he's the man tt
and 1t out. Are you game"
by all means" assented Davent
consulting his watch. AT this tim,
you ought to catch him, and, for good
ness sake, don't be long. This thing Il
getting on my nerves"
When Hammond entered. withou
knowing In the least why he had beel
fetched, the two men watched hin
keenly. He greeted Davent in his usua
quiet manner, and then his eye fel
upon the glass case still standing upol
the table.
"HalloI7 he exclaimed. Something
new" and advancing closer he CAREFUL.
adjusted his pinc-nez.
Neither Davent nor Crosby wer
quite prepared for the strange seen
that followed. Hammond had but takel
one glance at the CHASTITY head when b
suddenly uttered a loud and terrihb
cry and flung up his arms.