Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-07-21


a 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 a small. blackboard volume.
Don't be cross, she begged,
quickly. 1--WE just had t. come. Looki
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. ct was just by the side Of
the wall there. Where's that maya
liner"
He spread out the piece of paper-it
fitted exactly into the empty space.
Tley all read together:
Professor Ashieigh, after being Bit
ten by the anthropoid, rapidly deveI-
oped hydrophobia 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 eharac-
teristics of the brutal anthropoid-
cunning, thievery, brutality. do not
know what may come of this. | hesi-
tate to put even these words on 70
paper. am doubtful as to what
course. in the interests of humanity,
| ought TO take.
(Sioned) JAMES MERRILL, M. o.
Editors Note-Just az we 90 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 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
master, Prof. Edgar AshIeieh, at the
cost Of my peace of mind, my happl-
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. Win you have your
men search the house and grounds i'm
mediately?"
The inspector left the room like
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 all
the while to keep him from that other
self, that thing of bestlaIity, to keep
HE horrible secret from the world, to
cover up his crimes, even though
their shadow should rest upon me.
Now Sanford Quest has come. Will
this mean discovery
Another page" Quest said. Don't
you see where 1t is leading us? We
have the truth here. Waltz"
He strobe hastily to the door. French
and one of the r'ain-clothes men were
descending the stairs.
"Well?' Quest asked, breathlessly.
THE professor is not in the house."
French reported. I'VE are going to
search the grounds"
Quest returned to the library.
honoid chung 10 MS arm. Inc diary
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 sort
Of ferocious cunning to help him In
his crimes. He wanders about in the
dark, wearing a black velvet suit
with holes for his eyes. and leaving
only his hands exposed. have
watched him come into a half-dari.
ened room and one can see nothing
but the hands and the eyes; some.
times II he closes his eyes, only the
hands.
MRS. Rheinholdt!" Quest muttered.
The door was suddenly opened and
French entered.
"Beaten!" he exclaimed. tersely.
you haven't found him?" Quest
asked.
French shook his head.
We've searched every room, every
cupboard, every scrap of the cellar
in the place" he announced. We've
been into every corner of the grounds,
searched it all backwards and for