Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-12


the manner Of its mates.
The sight was not inspiring-the
freaks of Mother Nature rarely are. Nc
one but a doctor would have cared to
but a man as mad on the subject OF
curiosities and with as little sense OF
discrimination as Mr.. Bawdrey would
have dreamt for moment of adding
1t to a collection.
Its rather uncanny," said Cleek, who
had no palate for the abnormal in ma
ture. For myself, l may frankly admit
that l don't like things of that sort
about me-"
you are very much like my wife in
that" responded the old man. "She was
Of the opinion that the skeleton ought
to have been destroyed or else handed
over to some anatomical museum. But
well. 1t is a curiosity, you know, Mr..
Rickaby. Besides, as have said, it was
once the property Of her late father.
most learned man. sir. most learned.
and as it was of sufficient interest for
him to retain it-oh. well, We collectors
are faddists. you know. so 1 easily
persuaded Mrs. Bawdrey to allow me to
bring it over to England with me when
we took our leave of Java. And now
that you have seen it, suppose we have
look at more artistic things. I have
some very fine specimens of neolithic
implements and weapons which l am
most anxious to show you. Just step
this way, please"
He let the skeletons hand slip from
his own. swing back into the case. and
forthwith closed the glass door upon
1t. Then. leading the way to the cab
met containing the specimens referred
to, he unlocked it. and invited Cleek's
opinion of the flint arrowheads, stone
hatchets and granite utensils within.
For minute they fingered thus, the
old man talking. laughing, exulting in
his possessions, the detective exam
lining and pretending to be deeply i'm
pressed Then. of sudden, without
mint or warning to lessen the shock
fell with a crash from the hand that
upheld it. shivering the glass into
fifty pieces. and Cleek, screwing around
on his heel with Jump of all his
OF his host crumple up, collapse, drop
like thing shot dead and lie writhing
on the polished floor
Dad! Oh. heavens! Dad" The cry
was young Bawdrey's. He seemed fair
ly to throw himself across the inter-
vening space and to reach his father
In the instant he fell. Now you know!
Now you know" he went on wildly, as
Cleek dropped down beside him and
began to loosen the old mans collar,
IT'S like this always: not a hint. not
a sign. but just this utter collapse.
My God. what are they doing it with !?
how are they managing it. those two?
They're coming. Headland. Listen!
The crash of the broken glass and the
Jar of the old mans fall had swept
through all the house, and a moment
later, headed by Mrs. Bawdrey herself,
all the members of the little house
party came piling excitedly into the
room.
The fright and suffering of the young
wHe seemed very real as she threw
herself down beside her husband and
caught him to her with a little shud-
derins cry. Then her voice. uplifting
in a panic, shrilled out a wild appeai
for doctor. servants-help of any kind.
And, almost as she spoke, Travers was
BESIDE her, Travers and Forshay and
ROBERT Murdock-yes. and silly little
Mrs Somerby-Mfles. too. forgetting in
the face of such time as this to he
ANYTHING but helpful and womanly-
and al or these gave such assistance
as was in their power
Help me get him to his own room
somebody and send servant most
haste for the DOCTOR" said Cant. Travers
taking the lead after the fashion Of a
man VINO Is used to command. Calm
yourself as much as possible. Mrs.
Bawdrey. Here, Murdoch. lend a hand
and help him"
Eth. mon. there is nae help but
heavens in sic case as this" dolefully
responded Murdoch, as he came forward
and solemnly stopped to obey ."The
puir aud laddie! The Laird giveth and
the Laird taketh ava, and the weel o.
mon is as naething."
oh. stop your croaking. you blunder-
ing old fool" snapped Travers, as Mrs.
ia wdrey gave a heart-wrung cry and
ma her face in her hands. You and
your eternal doldrums! Here, Bawdrey.
lend hand. old chap. We can get him
upstairs without the assistance of this
human trombone. l know"
But this human trombone" was not
minded that they should; and so 1t fell
out that when Lieut.. Forshay led Mrs.
Comebry-Miles from the room and
young Bawdrey and Capt. Travers car
ried the stricken man up the stairs to
his own bedchamber, his wife flying in
advance to see that everything was pre-
pared for him. Cleek, standing all alone
beside the shattered cabinet, could hear
Mr.. Robert Murdock's dismal croakings
milling steadily out as he mounted
the staircase with the others.
For a moment after tho closing door