Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-08-05

uFdmaIfE lnLerluQG InrOuEn the
/ empty house came the ringing OF the
electric bell from the front door. shrill
and insistent. Without mement' q
hesitation. Quest hurried out and
French followed him On the doorstep
was another surprise. Lenora and
Laura were there. the former carry
ing small. black-bound 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. II
must have slipped from his pocket.
You see what Ia written on it,
Diary of John Craig"
Guest took II In his hand.
Say. this ought to be interesting. I"
he remarked "Come along"
They passed into the library.
French fingered behind for 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
xine7'
He spread ont the piece Of paper---it
fitted exactly into the empty space.
They all read together:
Professor Ashleloh, after being Bit
ten BY the anthropotc, rapidly dsvel-
opsd hydrophobIa o. serious nature.
After treatment with new serum the
patient was relieved OF the hydropho-
bic symptoms, but to my horror this
niid-mannered, humane man seems
possessed At times Of all the charac-
teristics Of ths brutal anthropoId---
cunning, thievery, brutality. do not
know what may come Ut this. hcsi.
tate to put even these words on to
paper. am doubtful az to what
course. In the interests OF, humanity,
| ought to take.
tsioneei) JAMES MERRILL, N. ..
Editor's Note--Just 40 we 90 to
press, cable announces the terrible
death Of Doctor Merrill. the writer OF
the above notes. ne was attacked by
Wild animals whilst alone In South
American jungle, and torn to pieces.
There was q 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. II was something to escape
from their thoughts. They leaned
over AZ 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 AshIeioh, n the
cost 81 my peace Of mind, my happi.
ness, my reputation. This book, even
though II bs too tate to help me- snatt
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
| mediatelyf"
| The inspector left the room like q
daxed man. They could hear him Civ,
ms orders outside
| The next page. Lenora begged.
Just one page more!"
Quest hesitated for moment. Then
he turned II over All three read
| again;
Ten years OF horror, struopilna oil
| the while to keep him from that other
self, that thing Of bestlailty, to kseE
his horrible secret from the world, "a
cover up his crimes, even thoupt
their shadow should rest upon me
Now Sanford Guest has come. VIII
this mean discovery
| Another page" Quest said. Dom
you SEQ where 1t Ia leading us9 WI
have the truth here Waltz"
He STROBE hastily to the door. French
and one Of tho plain clothes men were
descending the stairs
/ "Wells" Quest asked. breathlessly
The professor In not In the house,
French reported, we are going /,
search the grounds.
Quest returned to the library
Lenora chung to his arm. The diar,
lay still upon the table.
i Guest opened the volume slowly
Again they all read together:
The evil nature 10 growing stronse
every day. He 10 developing sor
Of ferocioIs cunning to help him |,
| his crimes He Wanders about In tn,
dark. WEARING 4 black velvet sui
with holss for hls eyes, and Ieavin,
only his hands exposed. hav
watched him come Into half-dark
ened room. and one can see nothin,
! but the hands and the eyes; some
! times II he closes his eyes, only tn
| | hands.
Mrs. Rheinholdt!" Quest mutteret
The door was suddenly opened an
French entered.
''Beaten!" he exclaimed. tersely.
. You haven't found him?" Cues
asked.
French shook his head.
We've searched every room. ever
} cupboard. every scrap Of the celia
in the place." he announced. View
, been into every corner Of the grounds