Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-06-16

bouillon. You might come Found, too,
If you will"
The captain nodded.
I'D better stay here for a time" he
decided. 'Tn follow you presently"
The service of dinner was resumed.
Laura. however. sent plate after plate
away. The captain satched her anx.
iously.
Il can't help It," she explained y
don't know whether you've had any
talk with Mr. Quest, but we've been
through some queer times lately.
guess this death business is getting
on my nerves"
The captain was startled.
You don't for a moment connect
Mrs. Foston Rowe's death with the
criminal you are in search off" he
exclaimed.
Laura sat quite still for a moment.
The bouillor was offered first to
Mr. Quest" she murmured.
The captain called his steward
Where did you get the bouillon
from you served-that last cup, espe-
cially?" he asked.
From the pantry just as usual,
sir" the man answered. 1T was all
served out from the same caldron."
ANY chance OF anyone getting at
it?"
"Guite impossible. sir"
In Quests stateroom the doctor
tire professor, Quest and Lenora were
all gathered around two little tubes.
which the criminologist was examin-
ing with an electric torch.
mo reaction at ALL" the latter NUT
tered. This isn't an ordinary poison,
anyway"
The professor, who had been stand
ing on one side. suddenly gave vent to
soft exclamation.
Waltz" he whispered WATT
have an idea"
He hurried of to his stateroom.
The doctor was porting over a volume
of tabulated poisors. Quest was still
watching his tubes. Lenora sat upon
the couch. Suddenly the professor
reappeared. He was carrying a small
notebook In his hand, his manner be-
trayed some excitement. He closed
the door carefully behind him.
Il want you ALL he begged, "to
listen very carefully to me. You will
discover the application of what I am
going to read when I am finished.
Now, If you please
This" he began, "is the diary of
tour made by Craig and myself in
northern Egypt some fourteen years
ago. Here is the first entry of i'm
port:
MONDAY-Twenty-n mine miles southeast
Of Port Said We have stayed for two
days at a little Mongar village. I have
today come to the definite conclusion that
anthropoid apes were at one time deni-
zens OF this country.
TUESDAY-Both Craig and have been
a little uneasy today. These Mongars
into whose encampment we have found
our way, are one Of the strangest and
fiercest of the nomad tribes. They are
descended, without doubt, from the an
cient Mongolians, who invaded this coun-
try some seven hundred years before
Christ, but have preserved in marvellous
way their individuality as a race. They
have the narrow eyes and the thick nose
base of the pure Oriental; also much of
his cunning. One of their special weak
nesses seems to be the invention of the
most hideous forms of torture. which
they apply remorselessly to their enc
mics.
WEDNESDAY-This has been won
derful day for US. chiefly owing to what
/ must place on record as an act of great
bravery by Craig. my servant. Early this
morning, a man-eating lion found his
way into the encampment. The Mongars
behaved like arrant towards. They fed
right and left, leaving the chiefs little
daughter, Feerda, at the brute's mercy.
Craig, who is by no means an adept IN
the use of firearms. chased the animal as
he was making of With the child, and,
more by good luck than anything else,
managed to wound II mortally. He
brought the child back to the encamp-
ment just as the chief and the warriors
of the tribe returned from a hunting ex-
petition. Our position here is now abso-
lutely secure. We are treated like gods.
and. approaching my weakness for all
matters OF science, the chief has today
explained to me many of the secret mys-
teries of the tribe. Amongst other things.
he has shown me a wonderful secret poi
son, known only to this tribe. which they
call Veedemzoo. 1t brings almost instant
death. and is exceedingly difficult to trace
The addition of sugar causes a curious
condensation and resolves it almost to a
white paste. The only antidote is a sub
stance which they use here freely. and
which is exactly equivalent to our cam
phor.
The professor closed his book.
Quest promptly rang the bell.
"Some sugar" he ordered, turning
to the steward.
They waited in absolute silence.
The suggestion which the professors
disclosure had brought to them was
Supplying, even Quests fingers. as a
moment or two later he rubbed two
knobs of sugar together so that the
contents should fall into the tubes of
bouillon, shook. The result was
magical The bouillon turned to a
strange shade Of gray and began
slowly to thicken.
ct is Mongar poison!" the profess
sor cried, with breaking voice.
They all looked at one another.
Craig must be here amongst u.s."
Quest muttered
And the bouillon," Laura cried,
clasping Quests arm, "the bouillon
was meant for you'll"
There seemed to be, somehow,
among all of them, a curious indis-
position to discuss this matter. Sud
denly Lenora, who was sitting on the