The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-15
CHAPTER XIII.
Darrow's Challenge.

With a 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 slight wonder as to
how barrow had managed his ascend
ency over the operator. An inquiry as
to that met with a shake of the head.
Il 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 FIVE hours cross
legged on a 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.
Il guess you're hungry" he remarked
to the image therein.
1t was now near midafternoon.
Percy Darrow wandered out, ate
leisurely meal at the nearest restau-
rant. and sauntered up the avenue. He
paused at a news stand to buy an
afternoon paper, glanced at the head
lines and a portion of the text, and
smiled sweetly TO himself Then ne
betook himself by means of a bus 10
the Warford residence.
Helen was at home, and in the IL
brary. With her was Prof. Eldridge.
The men greeted each other formally.
After a moment OF general CONVERSE
ton Darrow produced the newspaper.
Il see you have your theories in
print" he drawled. very interesting.
l didn't know you'd undertaken gram
mar-school physics instruction"
Il 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 III leave you the paper. Pro-
lessor, what have you concluded as to
the causes?"
They are yet to be determined"
Pardon me-" drawled Darrow, "they
have been determined-or at least their
controlling power"
In what way, NAV | ask" inquired
Prof. Eldridge formally.
Very simply. By the exercise of
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 it will be-" replied Oar
row. .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 personal enemy of half
crazed or at least unbalanced man, who
has in some way gained limited pow
er over etheric and other vibrations.
This power Monsieur X, as / call him
the Unknown-has employed in fan
tastic manifestations designed solely
for the purpose of frightening his en-
envy into leaving the country"
Eldridge was liteninG with the keen
est attention. his old gray eyes gilt
terirg frostily behind their toric |
lenses.
You support your major hypothe-
sis | suppose?" he demanded calmly. |
BY wireless messages sent from
Monsieur X to Mccarthy, in which he
predicts or appoints in advance the ex-
act hour at which these manifestations |
take place"
In advance, 1 understand you to
say?"
Precisely"
The proof is as conclusive for
merely prophetic ability as for power
over the phenomena"
in formal logic; not in common
sense"
Eldridge reflected moment further,
removing 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 arm