Perth Amboy evening news., 1915-06-24


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 man who has
just awakened from a dream.
"Have l, by any chance, slept?" he
asked ssOr-''
He never finished his sentence. His
eyes fell upon the mirror, the metal
band lying by his side. He read the
truth in the faces still turned towards
him. He rose to his feet. There was
another and equally sudden change in
his demeanor and tone. He carried
himself with the calm dignity Of the
scientist.
"The end OF our struggle, pre-
sume?" he said to Quest, pointing to
the metal band. you will at least ad-
NIT that have shown you fine sport. "
No one answered him. Even Quest
had barely yet recovered himself. The
professor shrugged his shoulders.
Il recognize, of course" he said.
gravely, that this Is the end. A per-
son in extremis has privileges. Win
you allow me to write just a matter of
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 began
to write. Then he turned around and
reached for his own small black bag
which lay upon the table. Quest
caught him by the wrist.
What do you want out of that, pro-
fessor?" he inquired.
Merely my own pen and ink" the
professor expostulated. fIf there is
Anything l detest In the world, 1t is
violet ink. And your pen, too, is ex-
ecrable. AS they are to be the last
words | shall leave to sorrowing
world, should like to write them in
my own fashion. Open the bag for
yourself, Il you will. You can pass
me the things out"
Quest opened the bag, took out
pen and small glass bottle of ink.
He handed them to the professor, who
started at once more to write. Quest
watched him for moment and then
turned away to French. The profes-
sor looked over his shoulder and sud
denly barred his wrist. Lenora seized
her employer by the arm
"Look!" she cried what is he go
Ing to do?"
Quest swung around, but he was too
late. The professor had dug the pen
into his arm. He sat in his chair and
laughed as they all hurried towards
him. Then suddenly he sprang to his
feet. Again the change came into
his face which they had seen In the
mirror. French dashed forward to.
wards him. The professor snarled,
seemed about to spring, then suddenly
once more stretched out his hands to
show that he was helpless and handed
to Quest the paper upon which he had
been writing.
You have nothing to fear from me-"
ne exclaimed. Here is my last mes
sage to you. Sanford Quest. Read tt
read 1t aloud Always remember that
this was not your triumph, but mine"
Quest held up the paper. They all
read. The prof sssor's letters were
carefully formed, his handwriting per-
tectly legible:
Sanford Quest but even now you are
to be cheated. The wisdom OF the ages
outreaches yours outreaohes 1t and
kriumphs. 4
Quest looked up quickly.
What the devil does he meant" he
muttered.
The professors arms shot sudden-i
ly above his head. Again that strange
animal look convulsed his features.
He burst into loud, unnatural laugh.
Mean, you fool?' he cried, holding
out his wrist, which was slowly turn
ing black. Poisoned! That is what
1t means!"
They all stared at him. Quest
seized the ink bottle, revealed the
false top and laid it down again with
a little exclamation. Then, before
they could realize 1t the end came
The professor lay. a crumpled-up
heap. upon the floor.
g
Quest swung round In his chair as
French entered the room and held out
his left hand.
"Glad to see you. French Help
ynursa1P tn eipars
II don't know as / want to smoke |
this morning just at present, thank
you," French replied. i
Nothing wrong, eh7"
''The fact of 1t is" French explained, i
81 should like few words with Miss
Laura"
Quest laughed shortly. II
"Why on earth couldn't you say |
so?' he observed. Never knew you
bashful before. inspector. She's up In |
the laboratory. I'll ring for someone |
to show you the way"
Quest touched the bell and his new |
secretary entered almost at once,
Take Inspector French mp into the
Quest directed. See you |
later, French"
"Yes-perhaps-I hope so." the in
spector replied nervously. /
Quest watched him disappear with |
q puzzled smile. Then he sat down
I. n A.