The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-12-18

IL INC OhhuOWu-leIS Gull MIN Mon
sieur Kidd not cause these strange
things. he at least knew enough about
them to predict them accurately"
you just leave that to me-" hum
med Hallowell under his breath. The
reporter had been glancing over the
wireless forms, and his eyes were
shining with delight
Here Is the last one" said barrow,
producing a crumpled yellow paper
from his pocket. II went back after
It,"
Mccarthy: My patience is at an emo.
Your last warning will be sent you at
nine thirty this morning. II you do not
sail on the Celtic at noon shall strike.
You are OF stubborn and n stiff-necked
generation. but 1 am your lord and mas
ter, and my wrath shall be visited on
you. Begone. or you shall die the death"
That bluffed him out" said barrow,
''and l don't blame him. Now, SIM
mons" said he. turning to the opera
tor, who had sat in utter silence. how
about II? Are you with us, or against
usT"
How do you mean?" demanded SIM
mons.
This" said barrow sharply. THE
Every message through the ether
must now reach the public. We must
send messages back. The case is out
OF private hands; 1t has become i'm
portant to the people. VIII you agree
on your honor faithfully to transmit p"
He leaned forward, his indolent frame
startlingly tense. Are you afraid Of
Mccarthy"
He's been good to me-it's family
matter" muttered the operator.
well" Darrow arose. crossed to
the operator. and whispered to him for
a moment. You see the seriousness
you are an intelligent man."
The operator turned pale.
Il hadn't thought OF that" he mutt
tered Il hadn't thought of that. OF
course I'm with YOU"
II thought you would be-" drawled
Percy Darrow slowly. IF you hadn't
decided to be, I'd have had another
man put in your place. Hadn't thought
OF that, either, had your"
No, sir" replied Simmons.
We'll, prefer you. It's no Job for
a gutter. and believe you'll stick"
I'll stick" repeated Simmons.
We'll, to work." said barrow, light
ing the cigarette he had been playing
with. Send this out, and see If you
can reach Monsieur X.
M, ." he dictated slowly. "'Do you
get this?' Repeat that until you get a
reply"
Without comment the operator turn
ed to his key. The long ripping crash
a. ~ no IL.
movements OF his fingers.
Il get his IL" he said, after
moment. TITS almighty faint"
Mccarthy has disappeared. Can
no longer reach him with your mes
sages.'"
He merely answers II" OBJ
served the operator.
BY the way" asked DaFrow, what
Is your shift, anyhow? Weren't you
on at night when this thing began?"
I'm still on at night; but Mr.. Nc
Carthy sent me message, and asked
me to stay on all this morning as
personal favor to him"
Il see. Then you're still on at
night?"
Yes, sir"
w Gill ICil - lndI IdCI.
yourself at his disposal, and tell him
he'd better get all his messages to
you rather than to the other operators
here"
IAN right"
There's your story" said barrow to
Hallowell; its in those messages.
The scientific aspect will probably be
done by somebody for the evening pa
pers. You better concentrate on Mon
sieur KS connection with Mccarthy"
Say, my friend" said Hallowell
earnestly, do you think I'm a reporter
for the Scientific American or a news
paper?"
All three rose. The operator was
busy crashing away at his Leyden jars.
What next?" asked Jack.
That depends on two things"
Whether or not Mccarthy takes
the Celtic" interposed Hallowell
quickly.
And whether Monsieur x will be
satisfied with his mere disappearance,
II he does not take the Celtic" supple
mented barrow. I'm any case. we've
got to find him. He's unbalanced; he
possesses an immense and disconcert-
ing and dangerous power; he is becom-
Ing possessed OF a mamie des
grandeurs. You remember the phras-
Ing OF his last message? II am your
lord and master, and my wrath shall
be visited on you. Begonel That is
the language of exaltation Exalta-
ton is not far short of irresponsible
raving."
What possible clue" began Jack
Warford, blankly.
When a man is somewhere out In
the ether there is no clue" replied
barrow.
Then how on earth can you hope
to find him7"
by tho exercise of pure reason"
raid Darrow calmly.
CHAPTER XIII.
Darrow's Challenge.
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