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

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.
something growing in his mind. | can
feel it, Waltz"
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-
fessor 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 and 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 a man who has
just awakened from a dream.
Have !, by any chance, slept?" he
asked. Or"
He never finished his sentence. His
eyes fell upon the mirror. the meta
band lying by his side. He read the
truth in the faces still turned towards
him. He rose to his feet. There wa:
another and equally sudden change il
his demeanor and tone. He carried
himself with the calm dignity of tbs
scientist.
THE end of our struggle, | pre-
sume?" he said to Quest. pointing t.
the metal band You will at least ad
NIT that l have shown you fine sport.
No one answered him. Even Cues
had barely yet recovered himself. Th'
professor shrugged his shoulders.
Il recognize, of course" he said
gravely, that this is the end. A per
son in extremis has privileges. VIII
you allow me to write just matter o
twenty lines at your desk?"
Silently Quest assented. The profes
sor seated himself in the swing chair
drew sheet of paper towards him
dipped the pen in the ink and begal
to write. Then he turned around am
reached for his own small black bai
which lay upon the table. Cues
caught him by the wrist.
What do you want out of that, pre-
fessor?" he inquired.
Merely my own pen and ink" tn
professor expostulated. IF there il
anything l detest in the world, it i
violet ink. And your pen, too, is ez
ecrable. AS they are to be the las
words / shall leave to sorrowin
world, l should like to write them i
my own fashion, Open the bag TO
yourself, if you will. You can pas
me the things out"
Quest opened the bag, took out
pen and a small glass bottle of inl
He handed them to the professor, VIII
started at once more to write. Ques
watched him for moment and the
turned away to French. The profeI
sor looked over his shoulder and SUE
denly barred his wrist. Lenora seize
her employer by the arm.
Look" she cried. What is he g
ing to do?"
Quest swung around, but he was to
late. The professor had dug the pc
into his arm. He sat in his chair an
: laughed as they all hurried toward
him. Then suddenly he sprang to hi
, feet. Again the change came int
his face which they had seen in tn
} mirror. French dashed forward Il
, wards him. The professor snarle'
seemed about to spring, then suddenl
J once more stretched out his hands
show that he was helpless and hande
! to Quest the paper upon which he ha
been writing.
: you have nothing to fear from me
: he exclaimed. Here Is my last me
, sage to you, Sanford Quest. Read it
, read it aloud. Always remember tn;
4 this was not your triumph, but mine