Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-12
HE DOCTOR, HIS WIFE AND THE CLOCK

Smithers wrote me this morning that he
had succeeded in getting Mr.. T-'s
promise to spend the evening with him.
and advised me that IL 1 desired to be
not be at home and that an opener Of
bottles would be required
AS l was very anxious to see Mr..
T. with my own eyes, 1 accepted this
invitation to play the spy, and went at
the proper hour to Mr.. Smithers' rooms
and waited for the two gentlemen, who
were expected to come in together.
They arrived almost Immediately,
whereupon 1 rose and played my part
with all necessary discretion.
| shall not attempt to relate the half
dozen failures which Joe made in en-
deavoring to elicit the facts we were in
search of without arousing the suspi-
cion of his visitor. ! am only going
to relate the successful attempt. They
have been talking now for some hours
when l suddenly heard Joe say:
He has the most remarkable memory
] ever met. He can tell to a day when
any notable event occurred"
"Pshaw" answered his companion, II
can state where l went and what l did
on every day in the year"
Pooh" was his friends provoking
reply. you are bluffing, Ben: I will
never believe that"
Mr.. T offered to submit to any test
of his Wanted powers which the other
might dictate
Write a date down here" he COM
manded. pushing piece of paper to-
ward me. with a look keen as the fash
of a blade. Put down day, month and
year. only don't go too far back; not
farther than two years"
Smilingly | wrote line and laid 1t
before Mr.. Smithers, who at once push
cd it with a careless gesture toward his
companion. You can, of course, guess
the date l made use of-July II, 19-.
Mr., T., who had evidently looked
upon this matter as mere play, flushed
scarlet as he read these words, and for
one instant looked as If he had rather
fly the house than answer Joe Smithers
nonchalant glance of inquiry.
Il have given my word and will keep
it: I will tell you what l did and that
must serve you. l did not promise to
give number and street.
Il went to see a lady friend. where
stayed until II. She wore a blue
muslin. She was a married woman and
j thought she loved me; but-and this
is the greatest proof i can offer you
that ] am giving you true account of
that night-she had not the slightest
idea of the extent of my passion. and
only consented to see me at all because
she thought that a word from her
would set me straight, and rid her of
attentions she evidently failed to ap-
preciate."
There he ceased being interesting and
l anxious. The secret of a crime for
which there seemed to be no reason
able explanation is no longer a mystery
TO me. l have but to warn Miss
He had got thus far when a sound in
the room behind him led him to look
up. A lady had entered: it was Violet
herself. In disregard of her usual prac-
tice, she had come alone to the Office.
This meant urgency of some kind?
You have news" he quietly re-
marked. Good news. | should judge.
by your very CHEEKY smile"
Yes. 1 think l have found the way
of hrjp OH Tr "a hriS ia 70 I, inns a1f
You have?"
Yes. He is obsessed by fixed idea,
and must be given an opportunity to
test the truth of that idea. The shock
him to his normal condition. He believes
that he shot Mr.. Hasbrouck with no
other guidance than his sense of hear
ing. Now II it can be proved that his
hearing is an insufficient guide for
such an act Gas of course it isl the
shock of the discovery may clear his
brain of its cobwebs. Mrs. Zabriskie
thinks so, and the police
What's that? The police?"
Yes, DR.. Zabriskie would be taken
before them this morning. He be-
trayed great agitation and reiterated
his former wish to be allowed an OPP
portunity to prove his sanity by show
ing his skill in shooting. This made
an impression. and a disposition was
shown TO grant his request then and
there But Mrs. Zabriskie would not
listen to ms. she approved OF the eN-
pertinent. but begged that it might be
deferred till another day and then take
place in some spot remote from the
city. For some reason they needed her
and she has just telephoned me that
this attempt of his is to take place to-
morrow in the New Jersey woods"
Who are going on this expedition?
Some members of the police. DR.. Ia
briskie. his wife. and-and myself. She
begged
lyon flust
why? The affair is to be kept Sc
cret. The doctor will shoot, fail-oh.''
she suddenly broke in. alarmed by his
expression. you think he will not
Il think that you had better heed my
advice and stay out Of il"
But | go as her particular friend.
They have given her the privilege of
taking with her one of her own sex
and she has chosen me. | shall not fail
her
There are some events which impress
the human mind so deeply that their
memory mingles with all after expert
enceS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS