The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-11-07
CHAPTER XIII.
parrow,s Challenge.

With a final warning to Simmons as
to the dissemination Of any informa-
ton without consulting him, barrow
left the room. Hallowell listened to
this advice with unmixed satisfaction;
the afternoon papers would not be able
to get at his source of information.
The reporter felt slight wonder as
to how barrow had managed his as
tendency over the operator An in
quiry as to that met with shake Of
the head.
Il may have to ask your help in that
later" was his only reply.
At the corner, after pushing through
a curious crowd. the men separated.
Hallowell started for the wharf; Jack
Warford for home-at Darrow's re-
quest The scientist returned to his
own apartments, were he locked him.
self in and sat for five hours cross
legged on a divan, staring straight
ahead of him. doing nothing. At the
end of that time he cautiously stretch
ed his legs, sighed. rose. and looked
into the mirror.
GUESS yOu It Huu6Ay, nS ichaoi
ed to the image therein.
II was now near mid-afternoon
Percy barrow wandered out, ate a
leisurely meal at the nearest restau-
rant, and sauntered up the avenue. He
paused at a news stand to buy an
afternoon paper, glanced at the head
lines and a portion of the text, and
smiled sweetly to himself Then he
betook himself by means OF bus to
the Warford residence.
Helen was at home, and In the IL
brary. With her was Professor Ell
bridge. The men greeted each other
formally. After moment of gen
eral conversation barrow produced
the newspaper.
Il see you have your theories in
print" he drawled. Very interesting.
| didn't know you'd undertaken gram
mer-school physics instruction"
Il know I'm going to be grateful for
any sort of nstruction-from any
body" interposed Helen. I'm all in
the dark"
Like the Atlas Building" barrow
smiled at her. We'll, here's very
good exposition in words of one syl-
liable. I'll leave you the paper Pro-
fessor. what have you concluded as to
the causes?"
They are yet to be determined"
Pardon me-" drawled barrow. they
have been determined-or at least
their controlling power.
I'm what way, may I ask?" inquired
Professor Eldridge formally.
VERY simply. BY the exercise of a
little reason. am going to tell you,
because want you to start fairly with
me; and because you'll know all about
1t in the morning. anyway"
Your idea-the one you told us yes
| terday-is to be publisher" cried
Helen, leaning forward with interest.
"The basis of 1t will be- replied
barrow. Now he turned to FL
dridge-"listen carefully; I'm not go.
ing to indulge in many explanations.
Malachi Mccarthy, political boss OF
this city, has made personal enemy
of half-crazed or at least unbalanced
man, who has in some way gained a
limited power over etheric and other
vibrations. This power Monsieur X.
as | call him-the Unknown-has en-
ployed in fantastic manifestations de-
signed solely for the purpose Of fright
ening his enemy into leaving the coun-
try"
Eldridge was listening with the
keenest attention, his cold gray eyes
glittering frostily behind their lenses.
"You support your major hypothe-
sis. suppose?" he demanded calmly.
by wireless messages sent from
Monsieur X to Mccarthy, in which he
predicts or appoints in advance the
exact hour at which these manifesto
tons take place"
I'm. advance. understand you to
say?"
Precisely"
1.-THE proof is as conclusive for mere
IL prophets ability as for power over
the phenomena"
In formal logic. not in common
sense.
Eldridge reflected a moment further,
removing his glasses. with the edge
of which he tapped methodically the
palm Of his left hand Helen had
sunk back into the depths of her arm
chair and was watching with immo-
bile countenance but wildly interested
eyes the progress of the duel.
Granting for the moment your ma
jor hypothesis" Eldridge stated at
last. II follow your other essential
statements. The man is unbalanced
because he chooses such method of
accomplishing a simple end"
Quite So"
His power is limited because it has
been applied to but one manifestation
of etheric vibration at time; and each
manifestation has had defined dura-
ton"
barrow bowed. You are the only
original think-tank," he quoted Hal
lowel's earlier remark.
you are most kind to place me In
possession of these additional facts. "
said Eldridge, resuming his glasses,
for naturally my conclusions. based on
incomplete premises, could hardly be