Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-24
CHAPTER XIII.

"By the exercise OF pure reason,
said Darrow calmly. ..
CHAPTER XIII.
.. Darrow's Challenge.
With final warning to Simmons as
to the dissemination OF any informa-
ton without consulting him, barrow
left the room. Hallowell listened to this
advice with unmixed satisfaction; the
afternoon papers would not be able to
get at his source Of Information. The
reporter felt a slight wonder as to
how barrow had managed his &C.
tendency over the operator. An in
quiry as to that met with shake of
the head. ...
II may have to ask your help in that
later" was his only reply.
At the corner, after pushing through
curious crowd. the men separated
Hallowell started for the wharf; Jack
Warford for home-at Darrow's re-
quest. The scientist returned to his
own apartments, where he locked him
self in and sat for Ave hours cross.
legged on divan, staring straight
ahead Of him, doing nothing. At the
end Of that time he cautiously stretch.
ed his legs. sighed, rose and looked
into the mirror.
81 guess you're hungry" he remark.
ed to the image therein. '.s
1t was now near mid-afternoon.
Percy barrow wandered out, ate a
leisurely meal at the nearest restau.
rant, and sauntered up the avenue. He
paused at news stand to buy an aft
ernoon paper. glanced at the head
lines and portion of the text, and
smiled sweetly to himself Then he
betook himself by means of bus to
the Warford residence.
Helen was at home. and in the
library. With her was Professor Ed
ridge. The men greeted each other
formally. After moment Of general
conversation Darrow produced the
newspaper. w..
II see you have your theories In
print" he drawled. Very interesting.
l didn't know you'd undertaken gram
mar-school physics instruction"
II know I'm going to be grateful for
any sort OF instruction-from any
body" interposed Helen. I'm all in the
dark"
Like the Atlas Building Darrow
smiled at her well, here's a very
good exposition In words of one syl-
liable. I'll leave you the paper. Profess
sor, what have you concluded as to the
causes?"
They are yet to be determined"
Pardon me-" drawled barrow, they
have been determined-or at least
their controlling power"
I'm what way, may ask" inquired
Professor Eldridge formally.
very simply. By the exercise of a
little reason. am going to tell you,
because want you to start fairly with
me; and because you'll know all about
it in the morning, anyway"
Your idea-the one you told US yes
terday-is to be published?" cried
Helen, leaning forward with interest.
The basis OF 1t will be- replied
barrow. "Now"-he turned to Eldridge
-"listen carefully; I'm not going to
indulge In many explanations. Malachi
Mccarthy, political boss of this city,
has made a personal enemy Of half.
crazen or at least unbalanced man,
who has In some way gained limited
power over etheric and other vibra-
tons. This power Mansieur X, as
call him-the Unknown-has employ
ed in fantastic manifestations designed
solely for the purpose Of frightening
his enemy into leaving this country i
Eldridge was listening with the keen
est attention. his cold gray eyes gilt.
tering frostily behind their toric
lenses.
You support your major hypothesis,
l suppose?' he demanded calmly.
by wireless messages sent from
Monsieur X to Mccarthy, in which he
predicts or appoints In advance the
exact hour at which these manifesto
tons take place."
In advance, I understand you to
say" ....r -. III
Precisely"
"The proof is as conclusive for ,ere-
ly prophetic ability as for power over
the phenomena" $50 's
I'm formal logic: not in common
sense" ~ ..
Eldridge reflected moment further.
removed his glasses, with the edge Of
which he tapped methodically the palm
OF his left hand. Helen had sunk back
into the depths of her armchair, and
was watching with immobile counter
ance but wildly interested eyes the
progress of the duel.
Granting for the moment your
major hypothesis" Eldridge stated at
last, II follow your other essential
statements. This man is unbalanced
because he chooses such a method of
accomplishing simple end"
quite &c."
His power is limited because it has
been applied to but one manifestation
of etheric vibration at a time: and
each manifestation has had defined
Duration
barrow bowed. "You are the only or.
iginal think-tank," he quoted Hallow.
ellis earlier remark.
"You are most kind to place me in
possession Of these additional facts, -
said Eldridge, resuming his glasses,
"for naturally my conclusions, based
on incomplete premises, could hardly
be considered more than tentative. The
happy accident aof an acquaintance
with the existence of these wireless
messages and this personal enmity
give you a manifest but artificial ad.
vantage in the construction of your
hypothesis"
Unid not GOO vo,, in tho corridor NJ