Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-20
"Just how do you mean-llmited, :

Just how DO you mean-limitedr
asked Helen.
81 mean exhaustible, like water
ng-pot. You can water just so much
and then you have to 10 back and m
|up again. In that case, We can sup
pose this mans stream will last nine
hours and half when he dribbles II
down on one spot, like the Atlas Build
ing: but Il will empty itself IN about
two hours when he turns her upside
down over q whole city. There 70
mains only the length of time nee
essary to refill the waterproof to round
out our hypothesis. That Is something
more than nine hours and something
less than ffteen."
How do you get those figures r. de-
manded Jack.
The Unknown is anxious, after the
Atlas SUCCESS, to try out his discovery
on the larger SCALE, He will naturally
do so at the frst opportunity after his
waterproof Is reflled. But he wishes
to do 30 at the hrst effective oppor.
tunity. What Is the most effective
moment? The rush hours. What are
the rush hours? From eight to ten,
and at six. Since he did not pull on
his show In the morning, We are fairly
justified in concluding, Tentatively,
that the waterproof was not full BY
then, and, as the Atlas phenomenA
subsidized at three Of the morning BE-
fore. the inference Is obvious"
But isn't the most effective time at
might, anyway, on account Of the
lishts?" asked Jack.
Good boy!" approved barrow HE
might have waited for that But the
lcity-wide phenomena ceased at eight
tho night before: and the Atlas sound
phenomena did not occur until ten the
next morning-fourteen hours. Now,
the most effective time to scare Nc
Carthy was any time after nine. Nc.
Carthy arrives as the clock strikes"
Jack shook his head.
"Oh, it's not proof; It's idle hypo.
thesis" admitted barrow. I'VE shall
have to test 1t. But let's 80 on with
It, anyway, and see how 1t works out"
What's Mccarthy got to do with
it?", demanded Helen.
That's 80, you aren't in touch
there" Darrow sketched briefly the
situation - IL affected the boss
Helen's eyes were shining with IN
terest.
Now" continued Darrow. ''havina
tried out his new power to tho limit,
our friend would begin to use It only
as he needed It, There Is now no rea.
son to empty the water-pot entirely.
All he wanted to do this morning was
to scare Mccarthy, and Impress the
public. He did that in thirty-ei9ht
minutes. On the basis Of fourteen
hours to fill the waterproof, It is evident
that he would be rehabilitated, ready
for business, in an hour. Therefore
all he is waiting for now Is the most
effective moment to try out his city.
wide experiment Of silence. / imagine
that will be about six"
Sounds reasonable" admitted jack
Reasonable! It's certain!" cried
Helen.
barrow smiled. "No. only . wild
hypothesis
a1t'll scare people to death.' OBJ
served Jack. sas
They're scared already; and they're
somewhat prepared by the perform.
lance this morning Besides, don't
see yet that human agency II sus-
pected."
Don't you think you'd better warn
people what Is going to happen. and
|
ened of" pleaded Helen.
mo" said barrow, IT do not. It
would confuse the phenomena and
they must be unconfused in order that
can either prove or disproye my
hypothesis. II this lasts about two
hours, the fact will 60 far to prove me
right. II the next manifestation comes
at about ten the next morning, we
shall have established periodicity,
at least. But II the man realizes that
his existence is suspected. he Will pur-
p.sely vary in order to mix me up
"The next manifestation" cried
Helen. Then you think they win
continue
| "Why not" smiled barrow. until
he has scared Mccarthy out?"
(Which will 1t be next time, do you
Think" a. III
whatever happens, don't be fright
ened," said Darrow enigmatically
1T seems to me there Is something
absurd about all this" said Helen.
"A man with such discovery, such
powers. using them In such a manner.
for such a petty purpose!" sssj
HE is, Of course, crazy" Darrow
said quietly; "the methodical logical
I luLIdllC-luc ulOoC udu6Ci ouo
what is it he has discovered" ask.
ed Jack.
II do not know, yet"
But you suspect"
barrow nodded, but would not ex-
plain.
What will be the outcome?"
~ am going to cut loose from science
and guess wildly" said Darrow, after
a moment. Tomorrow morning, some.
where about ten, Mccarthy will disap-
pear
"You said that before!" cried Jack.
well, say 1t again." drawled Oar.
!row.
CHAPTER TX
The Great Silence. 81
Percy barrow sat quiet calmly,
Though a little hungrily, through the
| 6rc% ~ Tia tvn ho,,ra ~ tia Haaa% al.