Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-08-13

to the waists OF the two men Wiz
were slowly making their way through
1t. One was the professor, clearly
recognizable under his white sun hel
met; the other stranger to all o
them Suddenly they stopped. Tit
latter had crept a yard or so ahead
his gun raised to his shoulder, hi
eyes fixed upon some possible Object
Of pursuit. There was sudder
change In the professor They saw
him seize his gun by the barrel anC
whirl 1t above his head He seemed
suddenly to lose his whole identity
He crouched on his launches, almost
like an animal and sprang at the 9th
er's throat. They could almost hear
the snarl from his lips as the two
men went down together into the un
dergrowth. The picture faded away
Doctor Merrill" Lenora, faltered
Then 1t was not wild beasts which
killed him"
Almost Immediately figures again
appeared in the mirror, There was a
small passage which seemed to lead
from the back entrance of house
the professor, with a black mantle
Craig followed him, pleading, eXpostu
lating They saw the conservatory
for minute, and then blackness. The
loo apainut mo
BILE basin. There was nothing to be
seel of him but his eyes and hands
They saw him listen for moment
or two In cold, unresponsiye silence
then stretch out his hand and push
Craig away. The picture glowed anc
faded and gloWed again Then they
saw through the gloom the figure Of
woman approach, diamond neck
lace around her neck, They saw this
hands steal out and encircle hel
throat-and then more darkness, 81
lence. obscurity. The mirror was
empty once more.
Mrs. Rheinholdt's jewels" Lenora
cried What next? Oh my God
what next"
Their eyes ached with the strain
but there was not one of them who
could even glance away from the mir
ror Ii was Quests study which slow
ly appeared then, The salvation
Army girl was there. talking to the
professor. They saw him leave her,
they saw him look back from the
door, strange. evil glance, Then the
secretary entered and spoke to her.
Once more the door opened. The
hands were there, stretching and
reaching, paper weight gripped in
the right hand fingers They saw it
raised above the secretary's head they
the throat and push her towards the
table. A wild scream broke from
lsnora's lips. Quest wayered for a
moment. The picture faded out
"Oh, stop it," Lenora begged
Haven't we seen enough? We know
the truth now. Stop it or | shall die!'
The criminologist made no reply
His eyes were still fixed upon the pro
fessor. who showed some signs of re-
turning consciousness He was grip
ping at his collar. He seemed to have
difficulty with his breathing Quest
suddenly braced himself He pushed
Lenora back.
One more he muttered, There's
something growing in his mind. ] can
feel It, Watt"
Again they all turned towards the
mirror. They saw the hallway of Ash
leigh house, the pictures upon the
walls, they could almost feel the quiet
silence OF night, They saw the pro
lessor come stealing down the stairs.
He was wearing the black velvet suit
with the cowl In his hand They
watched him pause before certain
door, draw on the cowl aud disappear.
Through the opening they could see
Lord Ashleigh asleep In bed, the moon
light streaming through the open win
dow across the Counterpart. They
saw the professor turn with a strange,
horrible look in his face and close the
door Lenora burst into sobs
mo more!" she shrieked mo
more, or shall go mad
Quest leaned forward and released
their victim. The whole atmosphere
OF the place seemed Immediately to
change. Lenora drew a long, convul-
sive breath and sank into chair The
professor sat up and gazed at them
all with the air of man who has
Just awakened from dream,
Have |, by any chance, slept?" he
asked. Or"
He never finished his sentence, His
eyes fell upon the mirror, the metal
band lying by his side, He read the
truth In the faces still turned towards
him. He rose to his feet. There was
another and equally sudden change in
his demeanor and tone. He carried
himself with the calm dignity of the
scientist
THE end of our struggle, pre-
sume?" he said to Quest, pointing TO
the metal band you will at least ad-
NIT that have shown you fine sport
No one answered him. Even Quest
had barely yet recovered himself The
professor shrugged his shoulders,
Il recognize, of course" he said
gravely. that this Is the end. A per
son in extremis has privileges. Will
you allow me to write Just matter of
twenty lines at your desk2n