East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-03-05

slender figure through the panel
opening Harold Stanley had over
taken him. With both hands on the
mans shoulders, Harold dragged him
back from the panel and spun him
around so that the light could fall
sQuarely on his paIlid face.
The man he had captured was
Felixl
Now, then" demanded Stanley,
whats the meaning Of this? Why
are you spying at keyholes? And
why do you run away from honest
men? Speak up!"
LET me alonel" snarled Felix,
writhing in helpless fury in his cap
tors iron grip. LET me go or I'll
have you arrested for assault and
battery. You're strangling me-"
mo, I'm not" was Harold's curt
reply, as he shifted his grasp from
Felix's shoulders to his neck. But
I'm going to-"
II am going to strangie you," went
on Harold savagely, speaking be-
tween his teeth, "and leave your body
here as a new mystery in the Grim
son Stain cases--unlesS--
He saw a gleam of hope in the
Wallets panic-stricken face at the
hope OF an alternative.
UNLESS you answer my questions,
and answer them truthfully," went
on Harold. "Will you do it?"
Felix could not speak. He could
not even breathe with that awful
pressure on his windpipe. All he
could do was to nod feebly.
Good" approved Stanley, relax
ing the throat hold. Now talk and
talk straight. If you lie or If you
try TO get away"
'I'lI-IIl tell you anything you
want TO know" gurgled Felix in NOR
tai fear only keep those steel
fingers OFF my throat. What do you
want to ask me? If know IN tell"
Il want 10 ask you, first OF all. what
you know OF the Crimson STAIN" be-
gun Harold.
Bit by bit, and interspersed by
threats and promptlngs from the
listener, Felix told his story Stripped
of its hesitations. its Interruptions
and scared repetitions, its substance
ran briefly as follows:
Felix had begun life as a decidedly
brilliant and promising student of
chemistry at a college where DIR.
Montrose had delivered a course of
lectures.
DR. Montrose took pity on the pen
niiess youth and offered him a we'll
paying job in his own household.
Felix was to act as the doctors body
servant, and was also 10 assist In
some Of Montrose's chemical expert
ments.
For time Felix was happy in his
new work The more so because he
had fallen in love at sight with Flor
'ence. He worshiped her in silence
and kept his love secret to himself.
striving only to make himself so val
liable to his employer that the latter
might some day consent to receive
him as a son-in-law.
Then came the great experiment
whereby DIR. Montrose sought TO
stimulate the human mind to flights
to genius by means Of the drug ana
apparatus he had devised. Felix was
his helper in this.
The doctor first Of all had tried
the effect OF the drug upon himself.
II had greatly stimulated his mind.
He proved TO his own satisfaction
that il contained no harmful quail
ties.
Then he sought other persons on
whom he might experiment. He
picked out persons from four differ
ent walks OF life. They were Tanner.
Morrison, Vanya Tosca and Lay Par
rish.
DR.. Montrose induced these four to
consent to the use OF the drug. He
gave them treatment after treatment.
And steadily their mental conditions
improved. They became brilliant in
conversation. deep and logical think
ers; splendidly intellectual.
Tho doctor was overjoyed at the
success OF his experiments.
Felix judged that this amount OF
eNultation on the part OF his en-
ployer was a suitable time for the
urging OF his own love suit. He
therefore told DR.. Montrose OF his
love for Florence and asked leave TO
propose TO her.
DIR. Montrose was disgusted and
amazed that a mere servant should
aspire 20 Florence's hand.
Dr. Montrose's insults and this re-
bun set Felix's love-sick brain afiame
with yearnings for revenge.
He planned and planned until at
last his knowledge OF chemistry gave
him the idea that he sought. Pro-
curing a virulent form Of poison-a
Toxic MnNSt lHilntdAdAt tltNA was 70
weaken the brain-Felix secretly
mixed this with every fresh supply
Of the drug that Montrose concocted.
But. instead. the mixture had
new and startling effect upon the
four people who were taking the
II did not lessen the
stimulation OF their brains. but II
turned that stimulation along lines Of
Evil. In short. IL made them Grim
inal geniuses-supercrook
Montrose meanwhile had con-
structed n secret passageway from
The side door OF his house TO the
panel door OF the laboratory so that
his four patients could come and go
II will, TO and from their treatments
without arousing suspicion.
"Dr. Montrose was horrifed ut the
,hanRe in his four PATIENTS" con-
inued Felix. HE did not know-he
has never lInown-that was the
,nuse OF II all. Presently Il was too
late to confess
''why2'' demanded Stanley. who
rad listened with breathless interest.
why was Il too later
Because" said Felix. slowly, al
most in awe, "because-then camo
Pierre In Rue"
- 80 ,,-,1,tr,,oa cf,,,lor- ct v.-,s