Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-04-17

sistant until he was killed. murdered
by the foulest band of pirates. Life
passes; and that is long ago"
He fell silent a moment; and the
girl looked on this unprecedented be-
trayal of feeling with eyes at once
startled and sympathetic.
Doctor Schermerhorn." went on
Darrow in his usual family tired. faint
ly cynical tone. worked OF and on
for five years on a certain purely
scientific discovery. the nature OF
which you would not understand. In
conversation he told its essentials to
this Eldridge. Doctor Schermerhorn
fell sick of a passing Illness. When
he had recovered, the discovery had
been completed and given to the scien-
tific world"
"Oh!" cried Helen. What trick!"
so think The discovery was
ticular fame or money to Eldridge. 1t
was. as he looked at 1t, and as the
doctor himself looked at 1t, merely
carrying common knowledge to con-
clusion Perhaps it was; but never
forgave Eldridge for depriving the old
man of the little satisfaction Of the
final proof. 1t is indicative Of the
whole man. He lacks humanity. and
therefore Imagination"
still, wish you wouldn't be quite
so bitter when I'm around" pleaded
Helen. though love your feeling for
dear old Doctor Schermerhorn."
II wish you could arrange to get out
of town for little while," urged Dar-
row. isn't there some one you can
visit?"
DO you mean there is danger?"
There is the potentiality of dan
GER" Darrow amended. II am almost
confident. II pure reason can be relied
on. that when the time comes / can
avert the danger"
Almost" said Helen.
81 may have missed one of the ele-
ments of the case-though ! do not
think so. / can be practically certain
when I telephone a man l know-or
see the morning papers"
Telephone now, then. But why
when the time comes?' Why not
now?"
Darrow arose to go to the telephone.
He shook his head.
Let Eldridge do his best He has
always ed-triumphantly. Now
he will fail, and he will fail in the
most spectacular. the most public way
possible"
He lifted his eyes. usually so dreamy.
SO soft brown. Helen was startled at
the lambent flash in their depths. He
sauntered from the room. After mo-
ment she heard his voice in conversa-
ton with the man he had called.
"Hallowell?" he said. good luck to
find you Did our friend leave on the
Celtic? No? Sure he didn't sneak
off in disguise? I'll trust you to think
of everything Sure! Meet me at
Simmons wireless in half an hour"
Helen heard the click as he hung
up the receiver. A moment later he
lounged back into the room.
"AIl right" he said. MY jobs
DONE
"Done!" echoed Helen in surprise.
Either I'm right or I'm wrong"
| said Darrow. Every element OF the
game is now certainly before me. IL
my reasoning is correct I shall re-
ceive certain proof of that fact with
in half an hour. II 1t is wrong. then
I'm away on, and Eldridge's methods
will win If any can"
What is the proof? Aren't you
wildly excited? Tell mel" cried Helen.
"The proof is whether or not GER
tain message has been received over
a certain wireless" said Darrow. I'll
know soon enough. But that is not
the question; can not you get out OF
town for little while?"
Helen surveyed him speculatively.
IF there is no danger. I can see no
reason for it," she stated at length.
with decision. IF there is danger you
should warn great many others"
But II that warning might precipi-
tate the danger?"
Shall go or stay" she demanded.
ignoring the equivocation.
Darrow considered.