Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-03
Continued from page 4

"Only last month magazine put that re-
quest in writing, and accompanied 1t with an
offer of twenty-five hundred dollars-whiCh
l didn't accept. However, as may wish to
ask you a number of leading questions later,
I'll answer yours now. You remember | got
into trouble my senior year with the college
authorities, by proving the typhoid epidemic
direct against forgotten defect in the sewer
system. 1t nearly cost me my diploma; but
it helped me too, later, for a scientist in the
Department of Agriculture at Washington
learned of it, and sent for me after gradua-
ton. He talked to me about the work that
a man with the true investigation instinct
which he thought had-could do, by en-
ploying his abilities along strictly scientific
lines; and he mapped out for me a three
years postgraduate course, which had just
about enough money to take. While |
specialized on botany entomology, and bac-
teriology, | picked up a working knowledge
of other branches, chemistry, toxlcology,
geology, mineralogy, physiology, and most
of the natural sciences, having been blessed
with an eager and catholic curiosity about
the world we live in. Once in the depart
ment, found myself with sort of rowing
commission. | worked under such men as
Wiley, Howard, and Merriam, and learned
from them something of the infinite and
scrupulous patience that truly original scien
tific achievement demands. At first my
duties were largely those of minor research.
Then, by accident largely, l CHANGED upon
the plot to bull the cotton market by intro
ducing the boil weevil into the uninfested cot
ton area, and checked that. Soon afterward
l was put on the 'deodorized meat enter
prise, and succeeded in discovering the
scheme whereby it was hoped to sell spoiled
meat for good. You might have heard of
those cases; but you would hardly have
learned of the success in which really take
pride, the cultivation of a running wild
grape to destroy Rhns TorieOdendron, the
common poison ivy. What spare time had
l devoted to experimenting along mechan-
ical lines, and patented an invention that
has been profitable. Recently the Depart
ment of Justice borrowed me on a few cases
with a scientific bearing, and more recently
offered me incidental work with them on
such favorable terms that | resigned my
other position. The terms include liberal
vacations, one of which l am now taking.
And here l am! Is that sufficient
Hardly. All this suggests the arts of
peace. What about your forty horsepower
kick? You don't practise that for drawing
room exhibitions, take it?'
Sometimes" confessed the scientist, II
have found myself at close quarters with
persons of dubious character The fact IS,
that an ingenious plot to get rid of very old
friend, DIR. Lucius Carter the botanist, drew
me into the criminal line, and since then that
phase of investigation has seemed fairly to
obtrude itself upon me, officially and I'M
officially. Even up here, where | hoped
to enjoy a months rest Do you know"
he said, breaking off, @that you have most
interesting inset of ocean currents here
abouts?'
"Of course Dead Mems Cove. But kindly
finish that even up here | recollect your
saying that you were waiting for me.
Haven't traced any scientific crime to my
door, have you?'
"Let me forget my work for little
WHILE pleaded the professor, "and look at
yours.
SEDGWICK rose. "Come upstairs" he
- said, and led the way to the big, bare,
bright studio.
From the threshold Chester Kent deliv-
cred an opinion, after one approving survey.
"You really work, | see
Il really do. Where do you see it,
thought
@All over the place. No draperies or "trip
peries or fopperies of art here. The barer
the room, the more work done in it..
He walked over to a curious cOntrlVanCe