New-York tribune., 1911-11-19

Chalmers drew a .44-calibcr weapon from
the dead mans hip pocket Kent took II,
and dropped 10 his knees again. The deaf
cning rattle Of firearms filled the air. Cough
ing a little from the smoke, the scientist
clawed at the shattered woodwork.
"Thcre's the wire" he said in tone OF
quiet satisfaction.
He rose, perfectly self possessed. "Comc
ne said, "I've saved two shots
"F-F-For WHAT" Stammcrcd the Assistant
District Attorney.
"For Overton, if he should force me to IT,.
He'll send no more messages.
"Overton. Were the death messages his:
cried Chalmers in wild amazcmcnt. Nv hat
secret has he found that can blast the life
out Of three men at a word,
IL will show YOU. said Kent.
He raped sharply at OvcrtonS door.
There was no response.
"Alr. Ovcrton. he called, al man has been
shot Have YOU any brandy there;
Silence from within.
Wen have to break he door said Kent
Standing back. ne sent the heel of his boot
smashing against the lock. The door gave
4 shoulder-thrust did the rest Revolver in
hand Kent entered the room, followed by
Chalmers. 1t was a supcrbly furnished
library. in which the only discordant note
was q large steamer trunk, against the side
wall near the door \ heavily wound wire
ran from the trunk to the electric chandelier
One glance al this satisfied Kent. He turned
to a closed door at the farther end of the
room, leading TO Ovcrton's sleeping apart
mcnts in the rear of the building and stood
facing it with his revolver at the ready.
"Opcn the trunk, Chalmers" he said.
ThcAssiStant DistrictAttorncydidS SO. The
lifted ld disclosed a mass of coils and wires.
what is it," asked the lawyer.
a transformer, of course, was the reply.
"Now move the trunk from the wall, and see
if YOU find a small wire.
yes here it is. 1t runs through a small
opening in the wall.
"Whcrc it connects with the telephone
wire passing up 10 the receiver in the booth.
Perfectly simple for a practical electrician,
such as Overton used TO be. With his trans
former he could throw all the current of the
electric light wire, powerful enough TO kill a
man in a few seconds, into the telephone
connection. As the receiver is wound with
metal, and as one has TO lift the metal
! bound transmittcr TO talk comfortably the
circuit was an excellent one. So there you
have the death message.
But the messages themselves, What
were they"
"Mcrcy dccoys Anything to get the men
! to this telephone You will notice that both
Stalcy's and Halls calls-and undoubtedly
MAYORS will prove the samc-camc from
| telephones in sight Of the rear of the club. -
"Thcn Ovcrton had only to signal from
! his windows that the victim was on this
floor Of the club, and the call followed"
Exactly. If he could get them to this
| 'phonc-thc movement of finger and It
was done"
But the other messages and warnings,
"All ingenlously devised TO support the
theory OF death through shock from the
final message. our friend Ovcrton is a muir
dcrcr with a fine sense of detail.
THE rear door opened and Oycrton ap-
pcarcd. The muzzlc of kcnt's revolver
instantly pointed at his stomach.
"No need, said the fnanccr with a
flourish, standing and smiling at ease. "l
merely stepped IN 10 confirm your theory
Had known when met YOU that YOU We're
Professor Chester Kent, should have post
poncd my demonstration
"Eou'rc my prisoner, Oycrton, said Chal-
mcrs harshy.
Hardly that, if YOU will pardon the con-
| tradction, returned the other. He was