Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1915-07-15

{ q dramatic interlude. Through the
empty house came the ringing of the
electric bell from the front door, shrill
and insistent Without q 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.
q 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. It
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, 7"
he remarked. Come along"
r TAey 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. "It was just by the side Of
the wall there. Where's that maya
zine?" s~s-
He spread out the piece of paper-it
fitted exactly into the empty space.
They all read together:
Professor Ashleieh, after being bit.
ten by the anthropoid, rapidly deveI-
oped hydrophobIa~of serious nature.
After treatment with a new serum the
patient was relieved Of the hydropho.
bic symptoms, but to my horror this
mIId-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.
F. (slgnedD JAMES MERRILL, NJ. D.
Editors Note-Just az we 90 TO
press, a7eabIe 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 e. penknife
from his pocket and with. . turn Of his
wrist forced the lock of the diary.
They ell watched him with fascinated
eyes. It 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 l have protected my
master, Prof, Edgar AshIeigh, at the
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.
Questsclosed the volume.
Trench" he decided, I'VE must find
the professor. Win you have your
men search the house and grounds i'm
mediately?"
The Inspector left the room like q
dazed man. They could hear him Civ
| ing orders outside.
/. "The next page" Lenora begged
f, "Just one page more!"
Guest hesitated for q moment. Their
he turned 1t over. All three read
again: -
Ten years Of horror struggling oil
the while TO keep him from that otheI
sef, that thing Of bestiaIlty, to keeg
HE horrible seeret from the world, e
cover up HE crimes, even though
their sohadow should rest upon me
Now Sanford Quest has come. VIII
this mean discovery?
Another page" Quest said. "Don''
you see where it lie leading US? W.
have the truth here. Wait!"
| .Hesstrode hastily to the door. French
and one OF the plain-clothes men were
descending the stairs
"Well?" Quest asked, breathlessly
.aThe professor is not In the house.
1 French reported. Eve are going t.
search the grounds" +
Quest. returned jsto the library
lLenora chung to his arm. The diar!
lay still upon the table. ~
Quest opened the volume slowly
Again they all read together:
The evil nature 10 growing stronger
every day. He 10 developing cor
Of ferocIous cunning to help him u
,hIs crlmes. He wanders about tn th'
dark, wearing q black velvet sui
with holes for hls eyes, and lsaxlni
! only hls hands exposed.E ] haN!
J, watched him come Into . hah-darls
| ened room and one can see nothlni
but the hands and the eyes; some
times n he closes hIs eyes, only en-
hands. III Ia
sMrs. Rheinholdt!" Quest muttered
The door was suddenly opened am
| French entered. - = - -
aBeaten!" he exclaimed. tersely.
you haven't found himr Cues
asked.
French shook his head.
| We've searched every room, ever