The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-06-20

dramatic lnterluue. lHTOuBu inc
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, h!ack-bound 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. 1T was just by the side OF
the wall there. Where's that maga.
zine?'
He spread out the piece OF paper-it
fitted exactly into the empty space.
They all read together:
Professor Ashleish, after being bit.
ten by the anthropoid, rapidly deveh
oped hydrophobla Of serious nature
After treatment with 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 tho brutal anthropoid-
cunning, thlevery, brutality. do not
know what may come Of this. hesl-
tate to put even these words on to
paper. am doubtful as to what
course, in the interests of humanity,
ought to take.
(sisned) JAMES MERRILL, M. D.
Editors Note-Just as we go 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 n 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 dedica
ton:
For ten years have protected my
master, Prof. Edgar Ashleigh, at tho
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, we must find
the professor. VIII 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 al
the while to keep him from that Other
self, that thing Of bestialty, to keep
his horrible secret from the world, tc
cover up his crimes, even though
their shadow should rest upon me
Now Sanford Quest has come. vii
this mean discovery
Another page" Quest said. Don't
YOU see where it is leading US? We
! have the truth here. Wait"
lie 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 we are going &c
search the grounds"
Quest returned to the library
Lenora clung to his arm. The diar!
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 a sor
Of ferocious cunning TO help him II
his crimes. He wanders about in th'
dark, wearing a black velvet suit
with holes for his eyes, and leaving
only his hands exposed. I hav'
watched him come into a half-dark
ened room and one can see nothing
but the hands and the eyes; some
times II he closes his eyes. only tn
hands.
Mrs. Rheinho,dt," Quest mutteret
The door was suddenly opened an
French entered.
"Beaten'" he exclaimed. tersely.
You haven't found him. Cues
asked.
French shook his head.