Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-08-03
ccopyright, 1915. by Otis F. Wood,

thoughts were framing themselves in
the brains of both of them. Then
there came startling and in its way
dramatic interlude. Through the
empty house came the ringing of the
electric bell from the front door, shrill
and insistent. Without a moments
hesitation, Quest hurried out and
French followed him. On the doorstep
was another surprise. Lenora and
Laura were there. the former carry
ing small, blackboard volume.
Don't be cross" she begged,
quickly. 1--WE just had to come. Look!
We picked this up underneath the
chair where Craig was sitting. 1t
must have slipped from his pocket.
You see what is written on it,
Diary of John Craig"
Quest took it in his hand.
Say, this ought to be interesting"
he remarked. Come along"
They passed into the library.
French fingered behind for a moment
and caught them up just as they were
opening the book underneath the cleo
trio lamp.
See here what I've found" he ex-
claimed 1T was just by the side of
the wall there. Where's that maya
zine?"
He spread out the piece of paper-it
fitted exactly into the empty space.
They all read together:
Professor Ashleigh, after being Bit
ten by the anthropoid, rapidly devel-
oped hydrophobia of serious nature.
After treatment with new serum the
patient was relieved of the hydropho-
bic symptoms, but to my horror this
mild-mannered, humane man seems
possessed at times of all the charac-
teristics of the brutal anthropoid-
cunning, thievery, brutality. | do not
know what may come of this. | hest
tate to put even these words on to
paper. | am doubtful as to what
course, in the interests of humanity,
! ought to take.
(Signed) JAMES MERRILL, M. D.
Editors Note-Just as we 90 to
press, a cable announces the terrible
death of Doctor Merrill, the writer of
the above notes. He was attacked by
wild animals whilst alone in a South
American jungle, and torn to pieces.
There was a queer little silence
among the company. No one seemed
inclined for speech. They looked at
one another in dumb, wondering hor-
ror. Then Quest drew a penknife
from his pocket and with a turn of his
wrist forced the lock of the diary
They all watched him with fascinated
eyes. 1t was something to escape
from their thoughts. They leaned
over as he spread the book out be-
fore him. Those first two sentences
were almost in the nature of a dedica-
ton:
For ten years | have protected my
master, Prof. Edgar Ashleieh, at the
cost of my peace of mind, my happi-
ness, my reputation. This book, even
though 1t be too late to help me, shall
clear my reputation
Quest closed the volume.
French" he decided, I'VE must find
the professor. Will you have your
men search the house and grounds i'm
mediately?"
The inspector left the room like a
dazed man. They could hear him Civ
ing orders outside.
"The next page" Lenora begged.
Just one page more!"
Quest hesitated for a moment. Then
he turned it over. All three read
again:
Ten years of horror, struggling all
the while to keep him from that other
self, that thing of bestiality, to keep
his horrible secret from the world, to
cover up his crimes, even though
their shadow should rest upon me.
Now Sanford Quest has come. viii
this mean discovery?
Another page" Quest said. Don't
you see where it is leading US? We
have the truth here. Waitl"
He strobe hastily to the door. French
and one of the plain-clothes men were
descending the stairs.
"Well?" Quest asked, breathlessly.
THE professor is not in the house"
French reported. I'VE are going to
search the grounds"
Quest returned to the library.
Lenora chung to his arm. The diary
lay still upon the table.
Quest opened the volume slowly.
Again they all read together:
The evil nature is growing stronger
every day. He Is developing sort
of ferocious cunning to help him in
his crimes. He wanders about in the
dark, wearing a black velvet suit
with holes for his eyes, and leaving
only his hands exposed. have
watched him come into a half-dark-
ened room and one can see nothing
but the hands and the eyes; some
times if he closes his eyes, only the
hands.
Mrs. Rheinholdt," Quest muttered.
The door was suddenly opened and
French entered.
"Beateni" he exclaimed. tersely
You haven't found him." Quest
asked.
French shook his head.
We've searched every room, every
cupboard, every scrap of the cellar
in the place" he announced. We've
been into every corner of the grounds.
searched it all backwards and for
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