The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-01-06
Copyright, 1915. by Otis h. Wood.)

NtNNoANo - mn IAiSiloSINOo III
the brains OF both of them. Then
there came q 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 q moments
hesitation. Quest hurried out and
French followed him. On the doorstep
was another surprise. Lenora and
Laura were there, the former carry
ing a small, black bound volume.
Don't be Cross she begged,
quickly. 1--WE 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 1t In his hand.
Say, this ought TO be interesting"
ne 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
zine?"
He spread out the piece of paper--it
fitted exactly into the empty space.
They all read together:
Professor Ashlcieh, after BEING bit.
ten by he anthropoid, rapidly deveI-
oped hydrophobia of a serious nature.
After treatment with a new serum the
patient was relieved Of the h%ydropho-
bic symptoms, but to my horror this
miId-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. hesi-
tate to put even these words on to
paper. am doubtful as to what
course, In the interests Of humanity,
ought to take.
(signed) JAMES MERRILL, M. D.
Editors Note-Just az we 90 TO
press, a cable announces the terrible
death Of Doctor Merrill, the writer Of
the above notes. He was attacked by
wild animals whilst alone In a 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
n another in dumb, wondering hor-
ror. Then Quest drew a penknife
from his pocket and with a turn Of his
wrist forced tho 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 a dedica-
ton:
For ten years | have protected my
master, Prof. Edgar Ashleigh, at the
cost Of my peace of mind, my happi-
ness, my reputation. This book, ever
though it be too late to help me, shaIi
clear my reputation.
Quest closed the volume.
French" he decided, I'VE must find
the professor. Will you nave your
men search the house and grounds i'm
medietely!"
The inspector left the room like a
dazed man. They could hear him CIV
ing orders outside.
THE next page" Lenora begged.
Just n page more!"
Quest hesitated for a moment. Then
ne turned 1t over. All three read
again:
Ten years Of horror, struggling all
the while to keep him from that other
self, that thing Of bestiality, to keep
his horrible secret from the world, to
cover up his crimes, even though
their shadow should rest upon me.
Now Sanford Quest has come. Will
this NEAR discovery
Another page" Quest said. Don't
you see where 1t is leading us? We
have the truth here. Waltz"
He strobe hastily to the door. French
and n of the plain-clothes men were
descending the stairs.
"Well?' Quest asked, b~reathlessly.
THE professor In not in the house."
French reported. 1--WE are going to
search the grounds"
Quest returned to the library.
Lenora chung to his arm. The diary
lag stiH upon the table.
Quest opened the volume slowly.
Again they all read together:
The evil nature Is growing stronger
every day. He IL developing a sort
Of feroelous cunning to help him In
hls crimes. He wanders about In the
dark, wearing q black velvet suit
with holes for his eyes, and leaving,
only hls hands exposed. have
watched him como into q haif-dark-
ened oom and n can see nothing
but the hands and the eyes; some
tImes II he closes HE eyes. only the
hands.
"Mra- Rheinholdt!" Quest muttered.
The door was suddenly opened and
French entered.
.Beaten:" he exclaimed, tersely
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