The Arvada enterprise., 1914-09-17
.i.ne. AZ the scientist. How soss tt.

~ >~>ssA AAeAASAp LILO tOu0
voice. seemed - much out Of place
In this atmosphere OF solemnity a
penny whistle. In . death chamber.
Darrow refused to notice the general
attitude Of disapproval. but planted
himself in front of Eldridge.
All inT he challenged. "Or do you
still cherish any delusions that you
will get your man inside or'-hs
looked At his watch-"elevsn min
utes?"
A visible stir ran through tho room
at these words. Eleven minutes!"
murmured Lyons, and held his watch
to his ear. ut has stopped" he said
aloud. 1T seems. gentlemen, that the
only possible hope for Us lies in the
doubt a. to whether or not this I'm.
known viii carry out his threat"
Hes . nrstrate hand to carry out
threats" observed Darrow.
We have done our best. said Ly.
ons calmly. Let VI compose our.
selves TO meet everythins-or moth
ing-as the fates may have decided"
That's all right" agreed Darrow,
With unabated cheerfulness. But e.
bridge and l had \ little agreement, or
bet. He Dragged he'd get this Mon
sier K before I did. I'd like To know
how he feels about his end Of 1t. Give
1t up?"
Eldridge looked at him rebukinkiy.
Il have failed" no acknowledged for
mally. from lack Of time to carry out
my investigation"
From lack of BRAINS" said barrow
brutally. "as I believe you once said
in private conversation about my old
master, DR.. Schermerhorn. These
things are remembered. am delight
ed to hand this back to you" He
eyed E1dridse. the brilliant smile still
curving his lips"
Enough Of this!" cried Lyons with
authority. This - unseemly in the
face OF eternity
Darrow looked again at his watch.
I'VE have still six minutes. sir: and
this 10 an affair Of long standing, and
on which feel deeply. The score is
settled" he said with entire respect.
i am now at your command. had
intended" he went on in . frivolous
tone again. ito kick to you on my gas
bill. IL II too large. You, az respon.
stbls hsaA. know II Il. But somehow.
you know. the presence here of you
gentlemen has disarmed mo. You don't
need to be here: you all have the facil-
tiles to get away. Here you are! I
guess you can charge . dollar, and q
quarter for gas II you want to-" He
looked from one to another while he
carefully wiped back the blood that
was flowing nom the little wound in
his forehead. "Eldridge Acknowledges
he has failed" he repeated.
II fail to see how you have i'm
proved upon that failure" snapped Ell.
bridge. stung.
MOI" queried barrow. Il call Hal.
lqwell to witness that the game has.
be3n fair. We had an even start; the
data have been open to both" He
called.
Immediately through the open door
from the hall outside came Jack War
ford. leading by the arm a strange and
nondescript figure. It was that Of q
small. bent. old-looking man. dressed
in = faded suit OF brown. His hair
was thin. and long. and white: his face
sharp and lean. His gaze was fixed
straight before htn. 20 that every one
In The room at the same instant caught
the glare Of his eyes
They were fixed, those eyes, like an
owls: or. better. . wildcats. ~ though
they never winked. From the pupils,
which we're very small. the little light.
colored lines radiatcd across very large
blue irises. There was something bale
full and compelling IN their glare. SO
that Hallowell. cool customer as he
was. forgot Immediately all about the
mans littleness and shabbiness and
bent figure. and was conscious only of
tho cruel. clever. watchful, unrelent-
ing. hostile spirit. Al Jack dragged
him forward. the others could see that
one foot shamblcd along the floor.
Gentlemen" observed barrow in
his most casual tones. 'let me present
MonsieAr X"
Every one exclaimed at once. Above
the hubbub came Lyons voice, clear
and commanding.
The proof" he Numbered. This 10
too serious = matter for bufYoonery.
The proof"
Percy barrow raised his hand.
Through the roar OF the maddened city
the bell OF the Metropolitan tower was
beginning its chimes. By the third
stroke tho uproar had died almost