The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1912-10-18

lump plelSllC DIS d oSuApIOl clay tiJ
one end of the bench. A row of Jars
at the back of the bench was flank
ed by phalanx of walls. An earthern
bowl half full of water stood at his
right hand. Directly IN front OF him,
scattered in workmanlike confusion,
were several palette knives and mix
ing brushes. Ceaselessly his fingers
plucked tiny pellets from the plastic
lump, rolled and patted them, dipped
them in the bowl of water, coated
them with the many -colored contents
of the Walls and jars, then trundled
them upon the board with industry
purposeful Of performance, but pur-
poseless of achievement
At times spectral smile seemed to
glow upon his cadaverous features-a
faint CLEAN like the specter of
corpse-light. The sunlight, reflected
from the rows of jars and bottles, play
ed queer tricks with the countour of
his face and gave his tireless hands a
ghost-like appearance. He was poor
little shriveled remnant of a man, the
dried core of what had been a dab
bier in the occult, and which along
normal channels might have been a
distinguished scientist No one look
Ing at him could ever have pictured
him as possessed of the greed of gain
Britz, though he made no pretense Of
being a psychologist, comprehended
at glance the outer vision of the
former curiosity shop proprietor con-
- III
tific mind. Beyond doubt, the old
man, as Fitch had said, had run the
shop merely as means to an end.
Fitch and Britz stood looking at him
for few moments before he became
aware of their presence. When at
last he glanced up, shade of perplex-
ity fitted across his face, his fingers
halted, but they did not stop in their
studious task, and he looked at them
inquiringly. With slight shake Of
his head he apparently gave up the
attempt to puzzle out their identity,
and once more bent his eyes on the
bench he firmly regarded as the TIRES
hold to Golconda
Guess you don't remember me, Mr..
Martin" said the doctor The old man
appeared not to hear. Britt and Fitch
exchanged glances, and the detective
took up the attempt to awaken a re-
Spouse from the aged inmates mental
vacuum
Pretty busy man, eh?" said Britt.
He had touched the right chord.
Any reference to the industry that alb
sorbed his fading senses was sure to
arouse the intelligence of the old
curio dealer. He nodded briskly, and
went on with his work more zealously
than before
Got to finish contract on timer"
the Headquarters man pursued.
Another vigorous little nod, follow
ed by swift search OF the detectives
face on the part Of the old mans
sunken eyes.
Rather interesting work you're do
Ing" pursued the detective.
Thereupon Mr.. Martin rejoined:
ut Is the only work that can inter
est me. have given my life to it."
Find It profltableT inquired the
sleuth.
For an instant those gray fingers
paused IN their manipulation of the
clay pellets.
We'll, IL depends on what you call
profitable, young man." answered the
ward Of the State. There are things
more important than monetary gain"
"oh, yes. know. know" said the
detective hastily. T suppose your
work is purely scientific?"
1T is more than science" answered
Martin. TT Is art. philosophy, philsn-
thropy-everything. It is the crystal
lization of the beautiful. Love Is beau
ty, and beauty is life. All mankind |
needs is beauty in greater measure |
and higher degree to attain perfection
of happiness"
And you are engaged in forward |
ing that theory"
Yes" said the old man simply. 81 |
have taken upon myself the task of |
clarifying every home in the world |
with the prisoned sunshine of the cen
turtles. Every abode of man, however
humble, should be Illuminated by the
light of diamonds. The diamond is
the most exquisite expression of crea-
tive love we have. The only trouble
is that we have not enough of them.
It has remained for met has re-
NAMED for the poor old student of
mysteries to find the key to the true
jewel wealth of the universe. For
thousands of years men have been
seeking diamonds in the ground.
take them from the air"
In similar vein he ran on, his words
betraying the strange cropping of
clouded mind that in its time had
been nearer the truth than most mems.
There was something extraordinary
about the little old fellows brain. II
had not cracked; rather, II had been
attenuated by overstrain. II was after
a process of patient questioning COW
ering so long a time that IL ended In
the twilight, that Britt led the tireless
worker back to.days before his arrival
In the asylum. The protracted inquiry
taxed all the detectives skill In word
for each time he lifted the
patients PROSTATE intelligence above
the horizon of sanity, # was only TO
see II slip back in a few seconds.
Fitch, scientist though he was. long