The Washington times., 1912-05-18
,ird curiosity came over him.


The big front door closed with click
once more. Down the corridor came
two steps; the library portal was held
open-and through II came a figure that
gave Banks something of q start.
II was that of man perhaps forty,
unshaven of countenance and somewhat
lengthy hair. He was thin. He was
poorly clothed to an extent that show
fringe in others. All In all, he Impress
ed Banks as the nearest thing to the
stage type OF passe actor that he had
ever seen in real life.
lHy about the individual as he stood
before the millionaire and coughed
apologetically before moving nearer;
there was an earnestness, too, which
brought him straight to the point with:
Sir, you are entirely unacquainted
with me. That is entiely as 1t should
that. have not come to beg. have
not come here today even to ask
favor. except for yourself"
"A moment Your time is valuable. 1
will take as little Of 1t as possible" His
dignifed steps took him to chair,
where he settled easily and moistened
Rord Ris dlpf' MI o,n Banks iG ann Ill In
this morning I have had marked pre-
monition that death is very near. For
| that reason I've come to ask two ques-
"WelI7"
The visitor learned forward earnestly.
ouiEsd iHsYe e.SyssIv YOU a phonosraph" he in
"A-whatY" Something of a chill ran
down the millionaires spine. The man
"A phonograph and one or two blank
cylinders, II not, viii you send for one
Why. IL believe that my young
aaushter does own such a thing. lit
he fltIF
Then, sir for the second question: I:
VIII you allow me to make, In strict
privacy, Photographic record for
Banks leaned back In his chair and
studied the presumed maniac. His brow
contracted for while. He was some
puzzled him because he was beginning
to find himself forced into q belief that
ne could hardly credit-the unfortunate
i~ookihg ~ person was sane and had a pur-
pose. 1t was, indeed. altogether incred-
nograph record forT' he inquired.
FOR your own assistance, Mr., Banks
l am, as / say, altogether positive that
death is near. For certain reasons
Tare 1ai, nafnro not risk giving my message to
tnetrayal. l might set 1t down in writ
ingLbut any one could find 1t and read
Nbono WITHOUT dIniculty. On the other hand. a
pnonographlc record appeals to me as
safe. May ! make 1t for you or not?"
Quick decision and quicker action, as
you Know, are Banks long suit.
For precisely forty seconds he studied
f1rther his visitor. Then the pressure
OF a button brought the fourth man
back to the library.
Cowles. said the head of the estab-
uIishment, go to the nursery. See Miss
Weatherford, Miss Ethelindas gov
erness' and obtain from her the phono-
graph. Bring with II at least three
blank cylindeN. You understand"
The millionaire leaned back again and
smoked further. He offered his visitor a
cigar: which the latter accepted with
growing dignity and lighted with an air
mat hinted OF former familiarity with
( smoke, nodded gracious approval and
, relapsed into silence.
Cowles appeared in about two minutes,
bearing the ,phonograph. Behind him
ana behind the fifth man a page with
wooden case of cylinders and acces-
sories; They were set upon the table
and the trio retired.
The visitor arose briskly. coughed and
Went deftly about his inspection of the
machinery. 1t was apparently satisfac-
tory. for in the course OF another min
ute he turned to Banks.
This apartment 10 sound-proof?"
supposedly So" the millionaire re-
piled grimly. II put about 5000 worth
OF deadening material into It."
Then. sir, / would request only that
you lock me in. permit me to remain
mere Tor dozen minutes and then en-.
ter yourself and alone"
IT is not Banks habit to take dicta-
tlon. In this case, however, curiosity
had gained mastery over his Importance
With little grunt he retired, removed
the key. settled It in the outer KEY
hole and locked the door without COM
ment.
And It was precisely twelve minutes
later that he opened the door once
more and walked in.
The shabby mystery was standing
erect and gently taking to pieces the
parts he seemed to have assembled
| There was a package beside him and a
| pungent odor Of sealing wax in the air
He turned to Banks and studied him
Mr.. Banks" he said softly. 1T is
tradition that your word is hard to get,
but once secured is as good as your
The millionaire bowed with grim
| smile.
Therefore. 1 ask your promise that
| this package shall not be opened until
after you are certain Of my, death
death you destroy it in three days from
| this date"
But
There can be no qualifications, sir"
| NoiiiC "Ltii a SOuI
promise ?"
| "Er-yes."
Thank YOU" The visitor picked up
his hat. You will not forget?"
II certainly shall not forget; but
aren't there any explanations? Can't
Il could tell you everything on the
moment II wished to make certain my
own immediate murder" the surprising
person answered. "As it Is. If my pre-
monition Ia correct. I-but tut, tut, Mr..
Banks! I shall take no more Of your
time. Good day, sir"
! Dumb, the millionaire watched the
seedy figure stalk out. Speeches., he
stared down the house and saw him
| pass through the open door Without
comment he watched the door close be-
hind him-and a long, whistling breath
escaped Mr.. Banks.
We'll. what in the name of'-he be-
gan helplessly.
Words failed Curiosity supervened
again and he hurried to the front OF
the house for a last look %t the mys-
terious visitor, so that once more he
came to the big window of the left
reception room. and. hidden behind the
curtains, stared out
| On the corner, a rod or two away,
stood the figure. He was staring abb
| sently at the precious cigar as a car
riage or two passed. The way seemed
clear then and he began to cross the
street at a half shuttle, and then
1t all happened so quickly that Banks
| failed m ga tCh the Significance for a