Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-11-26
1S1A by OTIS F. Woody

thoughts we're framing themselves in
the brains of both of them. Then
there came a startling and in it's way
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 we're there. the former carry
ing a small. blackboard 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 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. 1T was just by the side of
the wall there. Where's that maya
.ine?"
He spread out the piece of paper-it
fitted exactly into the empty space.
They an read together:
Professor Ashleigh, after being Bit
ten by the anthropoiG, 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
mlld-mannered, humane man seems
possessed at times Of all the charac-
terIstics of the brutal anthropoid-
cunning, thIevery, brutality. do not
know what may come Of this. ! hesl-
tate to put even these words on 70
paper. am doubtful as is what
course. In the interests Of humanity,
| ought to take.
(signedD JAMES MERRILL, M. D.
Editors Nntc- Just as we 90 to
press, a sole announces the terrible
death ef Doctor Merrill, the writer of
the above notes. He was attacked by
wild animals whilst alone In 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. It 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 I have protected my
master, Prof. Edgar AshIeigh, al the
cost Of my peace Of mind, my happl.
ness, my reputation. This book, even
though II 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 nave youl
men search the house and grounds i'm
mediately?"
The inspector left the room like q
dazed man. They could hear him Civ
ing orders outside
"The next page" Lenora begged
"Just one page morel"
Quest hesitated for a moment. Ther
he turned 1t over. All three reaC
again:
Ten years Of horror, struggling al
the while to keep him from that othe
self, that thing Of bestiality, to kee'
his horrible secret from the world, e
cover up his crimes, even thouSi
their shadow should rest upon me
Now Sanford Quest has come. vii
this mean discovery?
Another page" Quest said. Don
you see where It In leading us? "
have the truth here. Waltz"
He strods hastily to the door. Frenci
and one OF the plain-clothes men wer
descending the stairs
, "Well?" Quest asked, breathlessly
i The professor is not in the house
French reported I'VE are going t
search the grounds"
Quest returned to the library
' Lenora clung to his arm. The diar
I. lay still upon the table.
I Quest opened the volume slowl!
E Again they all read together:
, The evil nature Is growing stronae
G every day. He Is developing Sol
Of ferocious cunning to help him
n his crimes. He wanders about in til
}, dark, wearing a black velvet sui
" with holes for his eyes, and Ieavin
h only his hands exposed. ha.
It watched him come into a haIf-dar
d ened room and one can see nothir
% but the hands and the eyes; som
d times II he closes his eyes, only II
d hands.
MRS. Rheinholdt!" Quest muttere
!! The door was suddenly opened al
s. French entered.
"Beaten!" he exclaimed, tersely
y. You haven't found him?" Que
II asked.
ly French shook his head.
We've searched every room, eve
le cupboard. every scrap of the cell
in the place." he announced. "We'
10 been into every corner of the ground
se searched it all backwards and fl
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