Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1918-05-16
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Beard. He Ii an enemy OF the human
race So much have learned. but
Donald thrust the loose sheet into
his trousers pocket and replaced the
envelope. containing the rest Of the
manuscript, in the inner pocket Of his
coat just rs MacBeard returned.
He would go to the house in Balti-
more, and see what there was to be
done. He knew Mnsterman had lived
there alone for years, in the intervals
between his voyages.
MacBeard came up to Donald with
a smile of affected friendliness.
II understand that there is no rec
ord of our friends address," he said
"PoOr Mnsterman was very retiring
man. No doubt we shall learn from
his friends in day or two. will
hive an announcement published. and
have arranged for the funeral to be
held from Byam's undertaking estab-
lishment the day after tomorrow mt
noon. Is there anything further to
be dOne?"
II hardly think So" answered Dom
aid.
''Then If you can look in here to-
morrow mt eleven. we may talk mat
tiers over And now permit me to wish
you good evening" said the profess
sor cordially.
Donald took the proffered hnnd and
felt sense OF disgust ut the touch
Of the limp fingers. He strobe out of
the club and took a taxicab to the
sutton.
The Baltimore train was just about
| to leave. Late that night Lieutenant
Paget found the captains house. 1t
proved to be in little old-fashioned
thoroughfare flanked by neat two
story houses. Each had tiny back
gnrden surrounded by high wall.
There was about it un atmosphere, II
not Of mystery, ut any rnte of the re-
tirement common to such backwaters
in the rOarins streams of city life.
The captains was the last house in
the street. 1t stood little farther
back than the rest, and was turned
slightly askew, facing them Obliquely.
as though it knew itself to be out Of
place and was watching its nrlghbors
apprehensively over its shoulder.
There was no light behind any Of
the drawn shades. A small dome on
n fiat roof seemed to contain tele-
scope.
Donald climbed fence. walked
round to the back. and went up the
weed-grown path. The grass had not
been moved since 1t sprouted in
spring; the garden was unkempt and
ragged. Donald felt sure that there
was nobody within.
AS he trod the flags of the garden
steps of n man in the street, following
him. He stopped and listened, but
now no sound was to be heard. He
peered back into the darkness, but
saw nobody. Doubtless it was hal
lucination; 1t was n place Of echoes
and hauntings. And it seemed Singh
larly appropriate for old Masterman
to have had his lonely residence here,
matching his lonely life.
AS Donald Ind anticipated. the front
door was locked, and the window of
the living room was apparently nailed
up. He traversed the narrow path
that led to the back of the house. To
his surprise, the kitchen window was
open.
Then 1t occurred to him that Mas.
terman had, Of course, gone directly
home on his return from his last
earthly voyage. He swung himself
across the window sill and dropped to
the kitchen floor. He lit match and
found the gas.
The yellow flare disclosed very
ordinary kitchen. Masterr1nn's cont
hung on nail beside the window. and
he had been cooking porridge upon
the range. Donald went through into
n room at the back of the house. which
had apparently been built out at q
date subsequent to the completion Of
the structure in its original form.
He stopped short Mt the threshold
hearing the "swish, swish" Of water.
1t was not falling water. but q
gentle and continuous ripping. 1t oc
Cured to him that 1t was, on smaller
scale, the sound that seal makes ir
the course of its ceaseless peregrina'
tons around It's tank.
There was palm tree in huge
pot on either side of what looked like
nm enormous goldfish bowl. Behind
this was second bowl, even larger
In the middle of the room, was com
-plicated apparatus resembling a re
tort. He saw chandelier close to the
wall.
Donald lit three gas-jets.
The light fickered and sputtered n.
the air rushed out. Then, when 4
had grown steady, Donald saw tha'
sort of Photographic lens was at
tached to a box in front of the appn
ratus. directed toward the great tanl
between the palms.
Approaching, he perceived that thu
top of the tank was covered with
glass. A slender tube. Of the sam,
material entered the water from
above, where 1t was supported upor
an arm extended from wall. Their,
. a a