Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-06
l 4


thing that will make longs and shortsdots and ashes
that is-wi send Morse message You could do it by
turning and off electric light or by opening and
shutting door, or by raising and lowering window
sllade-oh, in hundred ways. You couldn't do it bv
tapping with pencil because then there
wouldn't be any upstroke tell how long the space had
been. But windowshade ism bad thing at ALL
The doctor shot quick look at her. did you ever
hear of anyone telegraphing that way?
Pamela shook her head.
4'Then how did it occur to YOU that that might be
signaso"
1T didn't at first. But my father used to telegraph
to me in all sorts of queer ways. 1t was he who taught
me- Sometimes he'd do it by opening and shutting his
hand or by playing on the piano.
the doctors sudden start and stare that checked
her. But he offered comment on IT. SO she went
And | got so that any combination of longs and
shorts made itself into letters for without my think
ing about it at all. 1t that way Saturday night.
was watching the shade go up and down and thinking
how sad it that anyone should lose his mind like
that when caught the word Hiram just plainly asif
someone had written it piece of paper. 1t took
a minute to see where it had come from.
The doctor drew long breath. Then, with shake
of the head and thump OF his big fist on the desk,
Impossible" he said. absolutely impossible! If it
only that he can't talk. the paralysis would
for that But he got the of his right hand.
Why doesn't he write I've offered him paper and pen
ell dozen times, and got nothing but scrawls.
But it perfectly plain that he wasn't satisfied.
He had turned away from her, frowning the window
and drumming on the desk with his fingers.
Its chance that's what it is. he went at last.
I've noticed when he was playing with the shade that
he did it rreguarly. OF course that would make-what
do call shorts and longs ell, II Just
But he didn't follow it up. He sat there thinking.
One might happen to make one letter easily enough,
suppose said Pamela, ~and perhaps short
word. Though that would be a very strange chance,
making Morse word complete, without single mis-
take And it would be good deal stranger that word
happened to be the person might want to But
| watched for an hour and half Saturday night. 1t
came so slowly OF course. that it was little hard to
take. So just put it down-the dots and dashes-a
letter at the time And for half an hour again last
night And there hardly mistake.
The doctor looked round at her W. quickly enough.
you took it down. You-transated it?"
Pamela nodded
and" But without asking the third question that
evidently on his tongue he turned away again.
The question he did ask minute later evidently
something else. "You say YOU to town To Mr..
Williams on matter of business? He isn't here. He's
in Chicago
a know" said Pamela "But he's coming back to-
day, isn't he?'
"Not till the end of the week. | have already been
up to the house this morning.
4Oh.' said Pamela forlorny. you're quite sure
"Was it urgent-vour business?' said the doctor.
You might see him in Chicago.
"Its rather urgent for me-. said Pamela. Il sup
pose l may well go back.
The office bell rang just then, and he with
promptness that suggested sort of relief
about the other matter he said. I'm very much
obliged to you. I'll take it up with Hiram when he
back, and whether he thinks that it is adj
visable to make test the lines YOU have suggested
the door, though he evidently waiting for IL.
There moments silence.
You haven asked me yet. SAID Pamela. what the
message that took down | have it here in my
bag, all written out under the dots and dashes.
IL don't any in my going into that, said the
doctor. IF we to make the test it to better
that we should make 1t without any predsposition
prejudice"
He said it pretty we'll genially almost. but well
but that note of underlying uneasiness didn't ring
little false Pamea'S ear.
He had gone quite the door now. and had his hand
the knob But still she didn't move.
But if it, question of making at all" she
persisted.
"Of course. ne interrupted. you'll have to leave the
question of the adNiSabilitN OF that ncnne better