The Clio messenger., 1913-10-24
CHAPTER VIII.
Percy parrow,s Theory.

Percy Darrow in the police station,
where he had been assigned an unused
office instead OF cell, amused him.
self reading the newspapers, of which
he caused to be brought In q full sup
ply. Theories had begun to claim
their share Of the space which, up to
now, the fact stories had completely
monopolized. Darrow, his feet up, a
cigarette depending from one corner
of his mouth. read them through to
the end Then he INDUCED the white
walls Of his little apartment with one
OF his slow smiles. The simplest of
the theories had to do with comets.
The most elaborate traced out an an
alogy between the blind spot" In vi
sion and point of rest" in phyical
manifestations-this point of rest"
had just now happened to drift to a
crowded center, and SO became mani
fest
Ingenious but fantastic youth" was
Percy Darrow's tribute to the author.
Professor Eldridge of the university.
The "human-interest" stories of both
the evening before aud those In the
extras describing the latest freak in
the Atlas Building, Darrow passed
over with barely glance. But certain
figures he copied carefully into his
notebook. When he had found all of
these. and had transcribed them, they
appeared about as follows:
Atlas-Wednesday SIS. 800 (abouD: Q
Generai-Thursday. s:OO 1856 (exaco: 1
hr. Sc min.
Atlas-Friday. 1910. 1o:4s (exaco: IS
min.
On the basis OF these latter figures
he made some calculations which,
when finished, he looked on with doub-
full satisfaction.
Need more statistics" said he to
himself. before can pose as a
prophet. Just now I'm merely a
guesser."
BY now 1t was afternoon. An official
came to announce visitors, and a mo-
ment later Helen and her brother came
in. AS Percy's case was merely one
of detention, or for some other OBJ
scurer reason, known only to those
WhO tOOh thCii llOul VhOSdi lily
the three were left alone to their own
devices.
After the first greetings and excla-
nations, Helen demanded to know
particulars and prospects.
"All right, I'll tell you." agreed OAR
row. I'm thought out; and / want to
hear it myself"
Jack looked about him uneasily.
rs 1t wise to talk here?" he asked
II don't doubt they have arrangements
for overhearing anything that is said"
Il don't think they care what we
say" observed Darrow. They are
merely OBTAINING me on some excuse
or other that haven't even taken the
trouble to inquire about"
THAT must astonish them some,"
said Jack.
And If they do oyerhear, I don't
much care. Now" said he, turning to
Helen, I'VE have here three strange
comprising two phenome-
cutting off of the electricity.
first in the Atlas Building, second in
the city at large; and the cutting off
OF sound in the Atlas. Although we
are, of course, not justified in general
izing from one instance. what would
you think by analogy would be the
next thing to expect?"
THAT sound would be cut of In the
city," said Helen; but Jack has al.
ready delivered me your warning or
she added.
Precisely. Now as to theories OF
the ultimate cause. Naturally this
must have been brought about either
by nature or by man. II by nature, II
Is exceedingly localized, not to say d.
rected. II by man, he must have in
powers over the phenomena of elec-
tricity and sound. These he can evil
IDENTIFY. at will, either focus, as on the
Atlas Building, or diffuse. as over the
city. For the moment we will adopt
the latter hypothesis"
That II Is a man in possession of
powers" said Heleh.
leaning forward in her interest Go
on."
I'VE have. completed, only the phe-
lomena OF electricity" continued Oar
'ow; "the phenomena of sound remain
% be completed. We observe as to
hat (a)"-he folded back his fore
Atlas manifestation last.
I'd about nine and a half hosrs; and
b. he folded his middle finger
the city manifestation was a little
ess than two hours
Yes cried Jack. but then this
second"
One minute" interrupted Darrow;
let me finish. Now. let us place our
'elves in the position OF man pos
'essed OF new toy. or a new power
which he has never tried outl What