The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-08-19

which they lie, and that the secret IS IN
known to everybody else. But Khokan IS
certain that he can discover the one person
who alone knows where these articles are
deposited. Is it your wish that the expert
ment should be made?"
Of course, there was an immediate shout
of eyes" from the boys in the audience,
followed by loud applause.
"Then," said Chanler, "what shall ask
is this: Each of you boys on the platform
will 60 in turn alone into the classroom.
Each on entering viii shut the door behind
him, and will be alone with Khokan. Then
you will take the right hand of the auto
maton in yours, just as if you were shaking
hands, while you count ten.
"In the case of all who do not know, moth
ing will happen-they viii Just come back
to their seats. But in the case of the one
person who does know where these articles
are the matter will be very different-the
touch of Khokan will set an indehble mark
upon him that I shall recognize at once.
"Of course, the success of the experiment
entirely depends upon each one Of you
carrying out these directions faithfully. You
will each be quite alone with the automatun
nobody will be there to see you-aIud ]
can only trust to your honor to carryf cut
what 1 have described Anyone who b
afraid to do this had better say so and
withdraw" ~
Of course, when the matter was so pnf,
nobody did withdraw. For the most pan,
indeed, the boys concerned seemed to enjoy
the fun. One by one they entered the dsSs-
room; one by one they came back to 9AeiE
II, 4a~, hoJ heF1~a "a q
row of some fifteen boys all intently gazing
at their own hands, and manifestly discouz-
ing nothing.
1t was, however, very different when
Chanler came round to investigate for hiIa-
self He bent low over each boys right
hand as it was extended towards him, and
the audience waited eagerly for the result.
One, two, three, four, FIVE, six boys
successfully passed under his scrutiny, and
smiled as he shook his head. AT the
seventh hand, he paused for moment and
looked up into the owners face, saying
something In a low voice which was in
audible to us in the room -
The lad appeared confused and turned
pale; then, after hurried glance round, he
nodded his head. Chanler Rao at once
turned to where the headmaster was
seated.
CDR. Searson," he said aloud, tour young
/ friend thinks he would rather explain our
/ little mystery to you privately. Perhaps
/ you viii see him in your study alone"
The audience seemed a little perplexed
: and disappointed at this somewhat indef-
/ mite and doubtful outcome of the expert
: ment, and it required all Chambers skill to
Z divert their attention to his concluding
tricks. But as we filed out Of the school
room and met DR.. Searson coming from his
2 study, I learnt from him that the automa-
. ton had been entirely successful; the pr-
E loiner Of the birthday gifts was discovered.
,
) "The automaton7" said Chanler Rao
Y when I had sufficiently expressed my won
e der and curiosity. "Why, surely you must
a see for yourself that clockwork thing like
: that could discover nothing Khokan is
e but the outward means adopted to cover
my methods. It was who found out that
: miserable, dishonest youngster."
S "But I don't see," said, still entirely
e in the dark "How could you possibly
! know"
s Chanler gazed at me with sort Of
n kindly pity.
/ Consider" said he, "the working of q
guilty mind. The innocent lad rather en-
e joys the fun of being sent into that room tt
g shake hands with IN automaton. 'Hullo
l, here's his silly old doll that is going to tel
e tales. Well, here goes-he won't get much
h out of mel . But the guilty? No,
e he SAYS to himself. of course, it's all rot
simply nonsense to suppose that thinl
s. like that could tell anything at all. Blu
,e still-it's as well to be on the safe side; yol
er never know what these fGkirs are really VI
t. to. And as am quite alone, and the ole
buffer viii never be any the wiser, thinl
j. I'll Just keep my hands of his diaboica
in automaton altogether
n But" I was beginning.
"Stay moment, said Rao. You know
st the perfume Of the orphil root2 No7 All
le well, to your Western nose I daresay tn
Or odor would be hardly perceptible. But t,
De the child Of the East, the least atom
he pungent and unmistakable TIL
m hands of Khokan were smeared over Wit
lg orphil Consequently, when / came to d
is my little bit Of palmistry, was able in
e, moment to distinguish by the absence Of tn
ID perfume the hand which had not dared +
touch my detective automaton. gave tn
es owner she choice between immediate publ
n exposues and private interview with tn
ID Doctor-ands as you saw, he at once chos
E. the latter-