The citizen., 1913-12-19
CHAPTER XIII.
DarroW's Challenne.

Darrow's Challenge.
With final warning to Simmons as
to the dissemination of any informa-
tion without consulting him. Darrow
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 Darrow had managed his as
tendency over the operator An in
quiry as to that met with a shake OF
the head
y may have 10 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 diyan, 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
81 guess you're hungry" he remark
ed to the image therein.
1t was now near mid.afternoon.
Percy Darrow wandered out, ate a
leisurely meal at the nearest restau-
rant, and sauntered up the avenue. He
at efa 4p h,tx n
afternoon paper, glanced at the head
lines and 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 Ii
brary. With her was Professor Ell
bridge The men greeted each other
formally After moment of gen
eral conversation Darrow produced
the newspaper.
81 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 10 be grateful for
any sort of instruction-from any
body" interposed Helen. I'm all in
the dark
Like the Atlas Building, Barrow
smiled at her Well, here's very
good exposition in words of one syl-
liable III leave you the paper. Pro-
fessor. what have you concluded as to
the causes?"
They are yet to be determined y
Pardon me-" drawled Darrow, they
have been determined-or at least
their controlling power.
"In what way. may l 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
it in the morning. anyway"
Your idea-the one you told US yes
terday lis TO be published?' cried
Helen, leaning forward with interest.
The basis of it will be" replied
Darrow. Now he turned to FL
dridge listen carefully; I'm not 60
ing to indulge in many explanations.
Malachi Mccarthy, political boss Of
this city. has made personal enemy
of halfcrazed 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 manifesta-
tions take place"
In advance. understand you to
say"
Precisely"
THE proof is as conclusive for mere
lv prophetic ability as for power over
the phenomena"
In formal logic. not in common
sense.
Eldridge reflected a moment further,
under favorable conditions offered