The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-02-05
THE TEST OF DEATH,

that suddenly flooded the room.
Raise your hsndsl~ commanded the
doctor. Nov get up"
Take care of the pistol. Rolfe,Y he
said to the young man.
It lay on the floor near a jimmy
and a cloth bag, into which several
valuables had already been placed.
The prisoner, heavy. british fellow,
stood in crouching position, his
shoulders draw together, his body
bent forward. The doctor watched
him closely.
He spoke TO the prisoner. Go TO
the door I'll shoot you II you make
any resistance" His voice was as cold
and emotionless as the ring of steel.
The fellows eyes dropped, and he
obeyed. Once in the hall, they contin-
ued to room the door of which Rolfe
had opened. It was evidently a study
and laboratory combined. On a table
were numerous test tables, and round
l
bearing weighty, imposing-looking
volumes A fire was burning in the
hearth, and before it stood three
chairs.
"slt there" said the doctor, and
pointed to one of the chairs.
He took another, Rolfe the third
His eyes were bright his lips pressed
into a thin line. He leaned over and
looked keenly at the prisoner.
you'll get FIVE years for this" he
said. The man sucked in his breath
with gasp. Probably more, because
most likely you have a bad record.
What would you do to be released?"
! The fellow leaned far over, with an
incoberent animal-like expression.
Listen. | am a student OF physi-
ology. | have a theory that II man
stands wavering between life and
death, certain changes will take place
in his brain, manifested by his out
ward attitude; his expression, certain
weaknesses, such as fainting. The
proof of this theory will mean much TO
the science of medicine If you will be
the subject Of an experiment you can
go free-provided you come through
alive. will take two glasses and nll
them with wine The wine OF one will
be perfectly harmless; the other will
kill you in two minutes. II you are
lucky, you will choose the right glass
and go free; II you are unlucky, you
will choose the wrong one and die
merely wish to observe you while
you make your choice. What do you
say?"
The silence OF the room was in
tense; II oppressed the ears.
Sing sing-hve years." the doctor
said musingly.
The man gave a CULTURAL exclama-
ton and leaned forward His hands
shook violently and his complexion
was a notified red and white
The doctor passed the pistol to
Rolfe. Watch him." he said. He
hurried from the room and returned
with two wine glasses. Both were
filed. He set them on the table and
drew II nearer the hearth.
IF you get the one that is poisoned" )"
he said, you'll know It Immediately
1t will have a bitter taste. Now
choose"
The fellow got slowly to his feet
and came toward the table. But when
his hands touched II he staggered back
with a sort of choking cry.
Choose" said the doctor. "Choose!"
He took the fellow by the arm and
led him to the table, and the man
stood with his eyes leaping from glass
to glass, his breathing hoarse and
loud.
Five years." said the doctor softly
The fellow seized one of the glasses,
took 1t almost to his lips, set it down,
wavered, took up the other, put It
back, and, grasping the first, gulped
down a swallow He stumbled for
ward, his eyes almost bulging from
his head
''It was bitter!" he cried. my God,
II was bitter!"
The glass dropped from his hand
but was caught by the doctor. The
man stood quivering for a moment,
every muscle shaking, then fell in a
heap.
Holding the glass in one hand the
doctor stood over him triumphantly.
IT'S proved" he said. "It's proved 4"
He raised the glass to his lips and
drank the rest OF its contents. "I
merely put a little quinine in EACH"
he said. Neither was the least harm
full"
Rolfe dropped on the his knees at
the mans side.
1T was completely successful" said
the doctor
Rolfe looked up with a white face.
"You don't doubt now?'
Rolfe dumbly Strengthened out the
mans crumpled figure. mo" He got
slowly TO his feet "It was successful" /"
He reached over and, picking up the
other glass, emptied 1t. Completely
so, The man. S dead.--A. M. Perkerson.