The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-08-09
The Blue Laboratory
(Copyright. by w. q. chapman.)

IEGQuCuhiy Ndht va
jects. Many times when his eyes
troubled him I acted as his secretary.
and on each Of these occasions he paid
me ten roubles for my services Al
last ON a certain afternoon X was g
essary for him to do some work In the
Blue Laboratory. He required my aid
and asked me to follow him there. II
was a splendidly appointed room. A
teak bench ran round three sides OF
the wall, fitted with every conceivable
apparatus and appliance used in chem
ical experiments. In n corner there
was an odd object that I did not I'M
derstand the use of and which excited
my curiosity in no small degree. II
was q mysterious looking d~ome-shaped
projection about three or four feet
high and covered with a black cloth.
DIR. Chance was not n man who en-
couraged idle questioning, and dearly
as I would have liked to know what
the apparatus was for, | forebore ask
ing.
In this room we spent three hours
side by side. 1t was the first occasion
on which I worked with him in the
Blue Laboratory. but from that day l
went with him there on many occa-
sions and learned to know the room
we'll. Finally. one day the doctor was
obliged TO leave me for a few moments
alone in the laboratory. The instant
he left I hurried to the mysterious
dome. and raising the black cloth. saw
that It covered n frame of glass. doubt
less communicating with some cham
Der below. I struck my knuckles loud
ly on the glass and Immediately saw
a dim face peering up at me from be-
meath. Evidently there was an inner
and much thicker partition of glass
between us. The face was a CHASTITY
one. horrible with suffering, haggard.
lean and white. This countenance. so
unexpected and appalling. glanced at
but a second, then the doctors
steps were heard returning. a s~hadowy
hand was raised as II TO implore. and
the ghoul-like vision vanished. | drew
the covering back over the dome and
returned quickly to my work. I must
have looked a trife white. for the doc
tor peered at me suspiciously, but said
nothing. My head was In a whirl.
There was some unfortunate creature
confined in a dungeon below the Blue
Laboratory. heaven only knew for
what purpose.
"Dr. Chance" I said, about half an
hour later. why have you that pc
culiar dome In the corner Of the
fioor?"
Il warned you to ask no questions"
was his reply. But on this occasion
I shall crafty your curiosity. That
dome Is part OF an apparatus by which
/ make a vacuum. Now you are doubt
less just as wise as you were before.
! have finished my experiment; let us
leave"
I went to my bedroom, sat down
and thought hard. I resolved that no
danger should deter me from trying to
rescue the victim OF my employers
apparent cruelty. After dinner I en-.
gagged the doctor in conversation. I
exerted myself to please him and be-
gan to draw him out. He told me sto-
ries Of his early youth and laughed
merrily over his exploits.
"Shall we go UP to the SALON." asked
Mrs. Chance at last.
"You may, my dear" replied the
doctor. "The fact is. the sooner you
go the better. for Miss Rennick has
some work to do for me this evening.
Come on, Miss Rennick. II you get
through your task quickly you may
ask me to tell you of my secrets.
and I shall do my best to comply"
The girls and their mother went up
stairs and I followed the doctor to
his cabinet. He led the way to the
Blue Laboratory. and I walked over to
the dome-shaped roof on the floor.
DR.. Chance began to examine some
microbes which he was c~ultivating.
Il perceive that we shall have to
put of our work." he said. "This ex-
pertinent Is not far enough advanced
for the final test. But I know you are
alive with curiosity. Miss Rennick.
Now, what Ia It you wish to known
II wrote o paper for you, when !
first came, on the photography OF
thought. You promised your English
readers that in a month or six weeks
you would be able TO prove your
words. The time IL past. Prove your
words now. Show me how you photo.
graph thought.
DR.. Chance INDUCED In a sinister
grin. II wonder II you could stand
it?" ne queried. Il could tell you, but
remember that the ways and means
by which such secrets are wrung from
nature are fraught with terror. How
ever, you have asked me, and I have
promised partially to satisfy your Gu
riosity. You shall know, but you must
wait until tomorrow morning"
AS he spoke n servant entered bear.
ing q card on a salver, and presented
It to the doctor. The latter looked at
me.
'Dr. Schopenhauer has called" he
said. HE wants to see me. but
shall be back with you shortly"
In another moment I found myself
alone In the Blue Laboratory. !
rushed straight to the dome-shaped
roof. withdrew the covering and
peered into tho darkness below. ]
could see nothing. and raped on the