Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1912-08-23
The Blue Laboratory
Copyright. by w. G. Chapman.)

my curiosity In no small degree. 1t
was mysterious looking dome-shaped
projection about three or four feet
high and covered with a black cloth.
DR.. Chance was not a man who en-
couraged idle questioning, and dearly
as l 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 | worked with him in the
Blue Laboratory, but from that day
went with him there on many occa-
sions and learned to know the room
well. Finally, one day the doctor was
obliged to leave me for few moments
alone in the laboratory. The instant
he left | hurried to the mysterious
dome, and raising the black cloth, saw
that it covered frame of glass, doubt
less communicating with some cham
Der below. | struck my knuckles loud
ly on the glass and Immediately saw
a dim face peering up at me from be-
meath. Evidently there vas 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
me but a second, then the doctors
steps were heard returning, a shadowy
hand was raised as IL to implore, and
the ghoul-like vision vanished. | drew
the covering back over the dome and
returned quickly to my work. must
haya lo0lxod fr{Ha uybifa f,r,- tho dno
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" | said, about half an
hour later, why have you that pc
'cuiiar dome In the corner of the
floor?"
Il warned you to ask no questions"
was his reply But on this occasion
shall crafty your curiosity. That
dome is part of an apparatus by which
I make vacuum. Now you are doubt
less just as wise as you were before.
have finished my experiment; let us
leave"
| went to my bedroom, sat down
and thought hard. resolved that no
danger should deter me from trying to
rescue the victim of my employers
apparent cruelty After dinner | en-
gagged the doctor in conversation. |
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 aYpInffs
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 one of my secrets,
and | shall do my best to comply"
The girls and their mother went up
stairs and l followed the doctor to
his cabinet. He led the way to the
Blue Laboratory. and | walked over to
the dome-shaped roof on the floor.
DIR. Chance began to examine some
microbes which he was cultivating.
Il perceive that we shall have to
put off our work." he said. This ex-
pertinent is not far enough advanced
for the final test. But know you are
alive with curiosity, Miss Rennick.
Now, what is 1t you wish to know"
Il wrote a 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 is past. Prove your
words now. Show me how you photo
graph thought.
DR.. Chance INDUCED In a sinister
grin. Il wonder II you could stand
it?" he queried. "I 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 | have
promised partially to satisfy your Gu
riosity. You shall know, but you must
wait until tomorrow morning."
AS he spoke servant entered bear
ing card on a salver. and presented
It to the doctor. The latter looked at
me.
DIR. Schopenhauer has called" he
sAlu. ne WdutS 10 see me, DuL j
shall be back with you shortly
In another moment found myself
alone in the Blue Laboratory. L
rushed straight to the dome-shaped
roof withdrew the covering and
peered into the darkness below /
could see nothing. and raped on the
glass. There was no sound. no reply
of any kind. | did not despair but
knocked again. This time my efforts
were rewarded by faint. far-off moan.
was desperate now, and in spite of
the risk ran began to shout down
through the glass.
IF there is anyone within, speak,"
| cried.
A faint hollow voice answered me.
81 am an Englishman," it said, "un-
Justly imprisoned and put 10 torture.
| am in the shadow Of death. Help;
save met
Il will do my best to aid you," \
shouted back. ! ran to the door. tool
out the key. and hurrying TO the bench
where DR.. Chances large microscope
stood, took one Of the pieces of hard
paraftin he used for regulating the
temperature of his stage and taking
a careful impression of the key re-
turned it to its place. slipping the
wax impression In my pocket The
doctor did not return. and resolved