Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-03-28
The Curse of
Quetzal
BY ]. u. Giesy and ]. b. Smith

But" he paused and his lips drew
back. "Are we not like the children
who believe and cry out at the nurses
story? What proof have we really that
these things are so? The Senor Duals
remarks have interest us deeply, so
that for the moment we are carried
away an forget that we are not child.
rem of Nature to tremble at thunder,
but civilized men"
Dual returned to his seat.
"And civilized man must ever have
proof" he remarked. Material proof
for material man. Perhaps 1t is as
well. These higher forces Of life are
like high potential currents; improper
ly used, they would work incalculable
HARM"
Just the same" said Dayton, "if
Wingarde is dead, believe that In
dian killed him. 1 know he used to
listen a lot when Wingarde and 1
talked. told the professor he wasn't
up To any good. 1 don't know how
much Of all you have said really be-
1ieve, but Just now you certainly did
something rather odd to my way of
thinking. How did you know he had
that guide with him? didn't mention
1t in your hearing?"
Suppose you tell me Just what
happened?" suggested Dual. "How
did the professor come to go out to-
night?"
Dayton complied.
Dual nodded. "And you do not know
what the man said which made Wing
arde go with him?"
"No. / didn't try to listen. / was
talking with Miss Wingarde. Fact is
/ didn't consider it important until the
professor said he was going off with
the fellow"
You must not confuse the real with
the unreal, Mr.. Dayton" said Semi.
"My means of knowing of the guide
was extremely simple. When you ask
ed Of Senor Laredo for the professor
you mentioned his having gone with
the guide.
"Mr. Glace heard you. He men
toned the affair to me, and of course
l recalled it. Much of so-called mind
reading and such is but merely getting
your subject to tell you something and
repeating 1t to him in :, different man.
ner. or using information concerning
him, already in your possession. There
is a very close mixture of the false
and the true. A great many people
have pretended to powers they did not
possess and 30 have thrown the genu-
Inc occult into disrepute."
= Exactly" agreed Laredo Having
known of the guide, and drawn out
the information that he knew Of the
Senor Wingardes finding the emerald,
and been shown it, and assuming to
hold 1t In contempt, you deduce that
he sought to take it, and that Wing
arde resisted.
Therefore you assume that each
killed the other an hazard the state
ment on the probality that 1t is cor
rect. Senor, you are clever. For one
leetle minute, you stirred in me
latent superstition. But now / see,
how you have arrive at the conclu-
sion"
yours is the obvious conclusion,
fancy" said Dual.
8 "You mean this was mumming-at
such timer" Dayton's voice grew
hoarse. II say you know"
Rather a means to an end" said
Semi. From now on, Mr.. Dayton, we
deal with material things. AS to num-
ming. no. Call it an experiment in
Psychology If you will This is hardly
the time for mumming."
That's what thought. Good Lord,
went those chaps ever get back and
tell us what they find?" Dayton mov.
ed to the rail, staring down toward the
dark cash Of the canon, and the coun-
try around 1t.
Has this hotel a detective?" said
Semi.
"Eh? don't anow. / suppose So"
Dayton turned around.
But yes" Laredo informed. II have
met him."
"Then, Dayton, If you'll answer me
q few questions?" Semi paused and
waited.
The Englishman turned from the rail
and came back. "Well?" He sat down
in his chair
+ "About the emerald and the idol;
did Wingarde seem to value them
highly?"
Rather. He never left them out of
his sight"
Explain please"
"Why, he wrapped them up in some
pieces of cloth and carried them in his
Clothes. 4 dozen times day he'd get
them out and looked them over. He
used to try and get me to praise them,
too. though l couldn't get up much in
teret."
"But he seemed excited himself?"
= "Yes"
"trhe Indian guides knew that he
carried them on him?"
"Of course"
so that if they had desired to rob
him of them. they would have known
all they had to do was to get him
aione?"
"I3y Jove, yes"