The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-09-10
CHAPTER u.
The Shadow Of MISERY.

Darrow walked up the one flight OF
steps to the story above. He found
his acquaintance in, and at once
broached the subject Of his errand.
Doctor Knox promised the matter his
attention. The two men then en-
barked on a long discussion OF Profes-
sor Schermerhorns discovery OF super
radium, and the strange series OF
events that had encompassed his
death Into the midst of the discus
sion burst Mccarthy. his face red with
suppressed anger.
Can use your phone?" he growled.
"Oh, yes," said he, as he caught sight
Of the instrument. Without awaiting
the requested permission. he 1erked
the receiver from It's hook and placed
it to his ear.
"Deader than a smelt!" he burst out.
This is a nice way to run a public
business! Thanks" he nodded to Doc
tor Knox. and stormed out
Darrow rose languidly.
'I1l see you again." he told Knox.
AT present I'm going to follow the
human cyclone. It takes more than
up like that"
He found the boss In the hall. his
finger against the down" button.
That's three cars has passed me-"
he snarled. trying to peer through
the ground glass that, In the Atlas
Building. surrounded the shaft. "I1l
tan somebody's hide. Down." he bel
lowed at shadow on the glass.
Have a cigarette" proffered Percy
Darrow. Calm down. To the scien-
tiflc eye you're out Of condition for
such emotions. You thicknecks are
subject to apoplexy."
"Oh. shut up" growled Mccarthy.
There isn't q phone In order in this
building two floors either way. I've
, tried 'em-and there hasn't been for
twenty minutes. And can't get a
messenger to answer a call: and that
ring-tailed, star-spangled ornament OF
janitor won't answer his private bell
I'll get him bounced 30 high the black
birds will build nests In his ear before
: he comes down again"
After trying vainly to stop car on
its way up or down, Mccarthy stump
ed down a flight of stairs. followed
more leisurely by the calmly unhur
ried Darrow. Here the same per.
formance was repeated. A half dozen
. men by now had joined them. So they
progressed from story to story until
an elevator boy, attracted by theii
+ frantic shouts, stopped to see what
was the matter. Immediately the dooi
n .nA ~, hn
Carthy seized the astonished operator
by the collar.
Come out of that. you scum OF the
earth!" he roared. Come out Of tha
and tell me why you don't stop fol
signals!"
II amt seen no signals!" gasped tn,
elevator boy.
Some one punched the button. bu
the little. round. annunciator disk II
the car failed to illuminate.
II wonder II there's anything II
order in this miserable hole!" snarie,
Mccarthy.
"The lights is gone out" volunteer
ed the boy; and indeed for the FRS
time the men now crowding the ca
noticed that the incandescents wer
dead.
While Mccarthy stormed out 4
spread abroad impartial threat
against two public utility concerns 70
Interfering with his business. Perc,
Darrow, his curiosity aroused. intel
viewed the janitor. Under that funs
tionary's guidance he examined tn
points Of entrance for the differen
wires used for lighting and commun
cation looked over the private-bell ir
stallations, and assembled again to tn
corridor, abstractedly busting his fiji
:. gers There he found group of tn
buildings tenants, among whom he dii
tinguished Doctor Knox.
X Same complaint, suppose-n
phones. no lights. no BELLS" he r.
,e marked.
Seems to be-" replied Knox. Ger
" eral condition. Acts as though tn
le main arteries had been cut outside"
ot Inside bellsf House phones?" SUI
gested Darrow
81 The repair men came In doubl,
quick time and great confidence. The
s. went TO work In an assured manne
ID which soon slackened to a slower b.
OF wilderment Some one disappeared,
ut return with a box Of new batteries
;? The head repair man connected
group of these with small bell in tn
~ executive office. The instrument. hov
a. ever. failed to respond
le TRY you ammeter." suggested Da
to row. who had followed.