The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-06-30

there came a 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. eve 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. ut was just by the side of
the wall there. Where's that maya
zine?" y
He spread out the piece of paper--it
fitted exactly into the empty space.
They all read together:
Professor AshIeish, after being bit.
ten by the anthropoid, rapidly devel-
J oped hydrophobia OF a serious nature.
After treatment with a 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-
terlstIcs OF the brutal anthropoid-
cunning, thIevery, brutality. | do not
know what may come Of this. hesi-
tate to put even these words on to
paper. ! am doubtful as to what
course, In the interests Of humanity,
ought to take. Y
(signed) JAMES MERRILL, M, D.
Editors Note-Just as we GO to
press, cable announces the terrible
death of Doctor Merrill, the writer Of
ssthe above notes. He was attacked by
animals whilst alone in a South
a american Jungle, and torn to pieces.
d There was 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 al 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:
II For ten years I have protected my
master, Prof. Edgar AshIeigh, at the
cost Of my peace Of mind, my happi
ness, my reputation. This book, ever
though Il be too late to help me, shall
clear my reputation.
II Quest closed the volume.
French" he decided, I'VE must fine
the professor. Will you haye you
! men search the house and grounds i'm
. mediately?"
: The inspector left the room like {
j dazed man. They could hear him Civ
ing orders outside.
;. 1.-THE next page Lenora begged
!. "Just one page more!"
Quest hesitated for moment. The
he turned 1t over. All three szrea
! again:
4 Ten years Of horror, struggling al
4 the while to keep him from that othe
|, self, that thing Of bestiality, to kee
a his horrible secret from the world, I
' cover up his crimes, even thong
a their shadow should rest upon m,
Now Sanford Quest has come. VII
n this mean discovery?
- Another page" Quest said. Don
you see where 1t is leading us? w
have the truth here. Waltz"
- He strobe hastily to the door. Frenc
g and one of the plain-clothes men wer
- descending the stairs.
I, "Well?" Quest asked, breathlessl!
= "The professor is not in the house.
" French reported. I'VE are going
!. search the grounds"
= Quest returned to. the librar,
=, Lenora chung to his arm. The dial
- lay still upon the table.
u Guest opened the volume slowl
=, ~ Again they all read together:
e. The evil nature Is growing strongt
[e every day. He Is developing so
Of ferocious cunning to help him
In his crimes. He wanders about In Il
O. dark, wearing a black velvet su
!" with holes for his eyes, and Ieavlr
ii only his hands exposed. ! ha,
ut watched him come into haIf-dar
I'd ened room and one can see nothli
ne but the hands and the eyes; som
i'd times II he closes his eyes, only Il
I'd hands.
& oNFra Rheinholdtt" Quest nuttere