The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-05-06
The Firm Of GirdleStOne
~ BY TEm-
A. CONAN DOYLE

concerned as they glanced round the
heavens as IL to observe the state OF
the weather, or examined with we'll
feigned archaeological fervor the in
scriptions upon the old University
walls. Most painful of all was 1t,
when some one, plucking up courage,
would venture upon a tiny Joke, at
which the whole company would glib
Der in an ostentatious way, as
though to show that even in this dire
pass the appreciation of humor still
remained with them. At times, when
any of their number alluded to the
examination or detailed the questions
which had been nrorpunded to Brown
or Smith the day before, the mask OF
unconcern would be dropped, and the
Whole assembly would glare eagerly
and silently at the speaker. Generally
on such occasions matters are made
INFINITELY worse by some Jobs com
forter, who creeps about suggesting
abstruse questions, and limiting that
they represent some examiners par-
ticulMr hobby. Such a one came to
Dimsdale's elbow, and quenched the
last ray of hope which fingered in
the young mans bosom
What do you know about cacodyl?"
was his impressive question.
"Cacodyl?" Tom cried aghast TITS
tSclme bort of antediluvian reptile.
isn't it?"
The questioner broke into a sickly
Pmile. NO." he said. "Tt's an organ
sc explosive chemical compound.
you're sure to be asked about cacodyl.
Testers dead on 1t. He asks every
bne how it is prepared"
Tom, much perplexed at these It'd
bngs, was feverishly endeavoring to
Pxtract some little information from
his companion concerning the COM
pound, when bell rang abruptly in
side the door and janiUor with a
red face and blue slip of paper ap-
peared at the door.
Dillon Dimsdale, Douglas" this
functionary shouted in a very pomp-
Gus voice, and three unhappy young
men filed through the half opened
door into the solemn hall beyond.
The scene inside was not calculat-
ed to put them at their ease. Three
tables, half dozen yards from each
other, were Uttered with various spec1-
mems and scientific instruments, and
behind each sat two elderly gentle
unen, sternfaced and critical. At one
side were stuffed specimens Of vari-
GUS small beasts numerous skel-
etons and skulls, jars con-
tanning fish and reptiles pre-
served in spirits Of wine jaw
bones with great teeth which grinned
savagely at the Unfortunate candi-
dates, and numerous other geological
relics. The second table, was heaped
over with blaze of gorgeous orchids
and tropical plants, which looked
strangely out of place in the great
bleak room. The third was the most
dangerous of the many traps set tc
ensuare the unwary student.
Dillon = botany; Dimsdale =
zoology; Douglas chemistry" the
janitor shouted once more, and the
candidates moved in front of the res
pectiye tables. Tom found himself
facing a great sp. Ter crab which ap-
pShIVu " NC lCSGihlh5 MN WIN Q
most malignant expression upon its
crustacean features. Behind the
crab sat little professor, whose pro,
jecting eyes and crooked arms gave
him such resemblance TO the crea
ture in front that the student coult
not help smiling
Sir" said a tall, clean shaver
'be serious. This 10 no time fol
leyity." Toms expression after thai
would have made the fortune of {
mute.
What is this?" asked the littl'
object TO the candidate.
'It is a echinus sea urchin,
Tom said triumphantly.
Have they any circul>tion2" asked
the other examiner.
"a water vascular system"
Describe it."
Tom started off fiuently, but it wa
no part Of the policy of the examiner
to allow him to waste the fifteen min
utes allotted them in expatiatinI
upon what he knew we'll, They in
terrupted him after a few sentences
How does this creature walk?'
asked the crab-like one.
"By means of long tubes which 1
projects at pleasure"
How do the tubes enable the crea
ture to walk?"
"They have suckers on them"
"What are the suckers liKe?"
"They are round hollow discs"
"Are you sure they are round?
asked the other sharply.
YES" said Tom stoutly, theugl
his ideas on the subject were rathe
vague.
"And how does this sucker act?
asked the taller examiner.
Tom began to feel that these tw'
men were exhibiting very unseen
ay curiosity. There seemed to be n
eatiating their desire for in.brma
tion.
at creates vacuum" he cried des
perately.
How does 1t create a vacuum"
"By the contraction of a muscula
pimple in the centre" said Tom i