The Holly chieftain., 1915-08-06

centrated the whole or his VIII power
upon his task. Almost at once there
was change. The professor fell
back in the chair. The tense self-con-
troll had passed from his features,
his lips twitched. Simultaneously,
the mirror for moment was clouded
then slowly a picture upon it gath
cred outline and substance. There
was a jungle, strange, tall trees, and
brushwood so thick that 1t reached
to the waists of the two men who
were slowly making their way through
it. One was the professor. clearly
recognizable under his white sun he'll
met; the other a stranger to all OF
them. Suddenly they stopped. The
latter had crept a yard or so ahead.
his gun raised to his shoulder. his
eyes fixed upon some possible object
of pursuit. There was a sudden
change in the professor. They saw
him seize his gun by the barrel and
whirl it above his head
Doctor Merrill" Lenora faltered.
Then it was not wild beasts which
killed him
Almost Immediately figures again
appeared in the mirror. There was a
small passage which seemed to lead
from the back entrance of house;
the professor. with a black mantle,
Craig followed him, pleading, expostu-
lating. They saw the conservatory
for a minute, and then blackness. The
professor was leaning against mar
BILE basin. There was nothing to be
seen of him but his eyes and hands.
They saw him listen for moment
or two in cold, unresponsive silence,
then stretch out his hand and push
Craig away. The picture glowed and
faded and glowed again Then they
saw through the gloom the figure of
woman approach, a diamond neck
lace around her neck They saw the
hands steal out and encircle her
throat-and then more darkness, ST.
lence, obscurity. The mirror was
empty once more.
Mrs Rheinholdt's jewels!" Lenora
cried. What next? Oh. my God
what next"
Their eyes ached with the strain,
could even glance away from the mir
ror. 1t was Quests study which slow
ly appeared then. The Salvation
Army girl was there. talking to the
professor They saw him leave her,
they saw him look back from the
door, strange, evil glance. Then the
secretary entered and spoke to her.
Once more the door opened. The
hands were there, stretching and
reaching, paper-weight gripped in
the right-hand fingers. They saw it
raised above the secretary's head, they
saw the other hand take the girl by
the throat and push her towards the
table. A wild scream broke from
Lenora's lips. Quest wavered for
moment. The picture faded out.
ooh, stop it," Lenora begged.
Haven't we seen enough? We know
the truth now. Stop it or shall die."
One more" he muttered. There's
something growing in his mind. l can
feel it. Wait"
Again they all turned towards the
mirror They saw the hallway of Ash
leigh house. the pictures upon the
walls, they could almost feel the quiet
silence of night. They saw the pro-
fessor come stealing down the stairs.
He was wearing the black velvet suit
with the cowl in his hand. They
watched him pause before a certain
door, draw on the cowTand disappear.
Through the opening they could see
Lord Asheigh asleep in bed, the moon
light streaming through the open win
dow across the counterpane. They
saw the professor turn with strange,
horrible look in his face and close the
door. Lenora burst into sobs.
mo more" she shrieked. Nc
more. or l shall go mad!"
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 dream.
Have |, by any chance, slept?" he
asked. Or"
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.
The end of our struggle, pre-
sume?" he said to Quest. pointing to
the metal band. "You will at least ad-