Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-22
CHAPTER XXI.
What Is He Makina7


Other boxes addressed to o. Broth
erson had been received at the sta
ton. and carried to the mysterious
shed in the woods; and now, with
locked door and lifted top, the elder
brother contemplated his stores and
prepared himself for work.
He had been allowed a short inter
view with Oswald, and he had in
dulged himself in a few words with
Doris. But he had left those mem
cries behind with other and more ser-
Gus matters. Nothing that could I'M
nerve his hand or weaken his insight
should enter this spot sacred to his
great hope. Here genius reigned.
Here he was himself wholly and with
out faw-a Titan with his grasp on a
mechanical idea by means Of which
he would soon rule the world.
Not so happy were the other char
acters in this drama Oswald's
thoughts, disturbed for a short time
by his brother, had flown eastward
again, in silent love and longing;
while Doris. with a double dread now
in her heart, went about her daily
tasks, praying for strength to endure
the horrors of this week, without be-
traying the anxieties secretly devour-
ing her.
And Mr.. Challoner? The sight Of
Brotherson, though they never really
met, acted like acid upon a wound.
and It was not till six days had passed
and the dreaded Sunday was at hand.
that he slept with any sense of rest or
went his way about the town without
that halting at the corners which be-
trayed his perpetual apprehension of
most undesirable encounter.
The reason for this change will be
apparent in the short conversation he
held with a man he had come upon
one evening in the small park just be
ycnd the workmen's dwellings.
You see l am here" was the
strangers. low greeting.
Thank God" was Mr.. Challoner's
reply. 81 could not have faced tomor-
row alone and l doubt If Miss Scott
could have found the requisite cour-
age. Does she know that you are
here?"
{ Il stopped at her door"
Was that safe?"
Il think so. Mr.. Brotherson-the
/ Brooklyn one-is up in his shed. He
sleeps there now, am told, and
soundly too I've no doubt"
( What he makipg?"
What half the inventors on both
sides of the water are engaged upon
just now. A monoplane, or a biplane,
or some machine for carrying men
+ through the air. | know. for l helped
him with 1t. But you'll find that If he
succeeds in this undertaking, and be-
lieve he will, nothing short of fame
awaits him. His invention has start
ling points. But I'm not going to give
them away. I'll be true enough to him
for that. AS an inventor he has my
sympathy; but-well we will see what
we shall see, tomorrow. You say that
he is bound to be present when Miss
Scott relates her tragic story. He
won't be the only unseen listener. I've
made my own arrangements with
Miss Scott. If he feels the need of
watching her and his brother Oswald,
| feel the need Of watching him"
You take a burden OF intolerable
weight from my shoulders. Now
shall feel easier about that interview
But l should like to ask you this: Do
you feel justified in this continued
surveillance of man who has so fire.
quently, and with such evident sin
cerity, declared his innocence?"
Il 90 that II he's as guiltless as
he says he is, my watchfulness won't
hurt him. If he's not, then. Mr.. Chal
loner, I've but one duty; to match his
strength with my patience. That man
is the one great mystery of the day
and mysteries call for solution. AT
least, there's the way q detective looks
at it"
May heaven help your efforts!"
Il shall need its assistance" was
the dry rejoinder. Sweetwater was
by no means blind to the difficulties
awaiting him.