The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-10-08

dramatic interlude Through the
empty house came the ringing of the
electric bell from the front door, shrill
and insistent. Without 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. I'VE 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 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. ct 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 hydrophoba 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 go to
press, cable announces the terrible
death of Doctor Merrill, the writer of
wild animals whilst alone in 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 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 dedica-
ton:
For ten years have protected my
cost Of my peace Of mind, my happi.
ness, my reputation. This book, even
though IL be too late to help me, shall
clear my reputation.
Quest closed the volume.
French" he decided, I'VE must find
the professor. viii you have your
men search the house and grounds i'm
, mediately?"
I The inspector left the room like a
ing orders outside.
: The next page, Lenora begged
= Just one page more!"
Quest hesitated for a moment Their
he turned it over. All three reaG
/ again:
i Ten years of horror, struggling al
i the while to keep him from that othel
:. self, that thing of bestiaIity, to keeE
O his horrible secret from the world, Il
;. cover up his crimes, even though
q their shadow should rest upon me
Now Sanford Quest has come. vii
h this mean discovery
q Another page" Quest said. Don
you see where it is leading us? w,
q have the truth here. Waltz"
n He strobe hastily to the door. French
9 and one of the plain-clothes men wer,
s descending the stairs.
v "Well?" Quest asked, breathlessIy
! THE professor is not in the house,
French reported. I'VE are going t,
: search the grounds"
Quest returned to the library
v Lenora chung to his arm. The diar
:. lay still upon the table.
II Quest opened the volume slowly
q Again they all read together:
e. The evil nature Is growing stronge
e every day. He Is developing a sor
Of ferocious cunning to help him il
n his crimes. He wanders about in tn
o. dark, wearing a black velvet sui
!" with holes for his eyes, and leavin
h only his hands exposed. hav
1t watched him come into a half-darE
ID ened room and one can see nothin
lie but the hands and the eyes; SONS
ID times If he closes his eyes, only tn
ID hands.
Mrs. Rheinholdt!" Quest mutteret
s. The door was suddenly opened an
s. French entered.
"Beaten!" he exclaimed, tersely.
Y. You haven't found him?" Ques
IL asked.
ly French shook his head.
We've searched every room, ever
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