The Pulaskian., 1920-11-18


 entrance and stood on the porch.
 The hunters moon was at full, and the place was luminous In a soft, misty yellow light.
 l had tremors, frankly-felt the pres ence of tangible dangers, unseen, and of intangible terrors. I never felt such oppression, doubt, distress and dismay in my life. My patient was on strange errand far beyond any strength I ever knew him to have; and Jed, whom I always dreaded, was fol- lowing him.
 It may be wondered why I was not instantly in chase and why I stood worried and indecisive. The only ex- planation is that I knew, as surely as one could know anything by reason and conjecture, that whatever was happening that night had happened this same night for a number of years in the past, and that whatever it was, 1t had direct connection with the secret of the place which Mrs. Sidney so earnestly desired me not to pos sess. For these reasons, or upon this instinct, I acted as I did and stood or the porch listening to the unnatu- rally late whippoorwill and looking out toward the dark woods and thick cts which stood at the edge of the yellow moonlight.
 The tension was so great that I got q distinct shock when out of this wall of darkness came a figure running into and across the moonlit space to- ward the house. I knew 1t must be Jed, and I waited where I stood as he approached He barely had come into the shadow of the house when an- other figure came out of the dark wall of the thickets and came slowly across the moonlit space.
 Jed, running up the steps, saw me and gasped with astonishment, but re- covered himself with wonderful promptness.
 Inside, man, inside, and act natu- ral,' he cried. "Come"-taking my arm-"in the office"
 He was so certain and so command ing that I did just what I was told.
 Into the office, man. he said, still clutehing me. "What are you doing abroad? This night of all nights But no matter. Into the office, and turn on the lights. Turn on the lights in the hall-not all of them, but some of them"
 He ran to do 1t himself and was all flutter and activity. Then he or dered:
 Unto the office now, and act natu- ral You're a man of genius; think of something we could naturally be do ing at this time. Think quick man; it's beyond me- What are you doing here? Good Lord, what are you do- ing here? I could have managed it without you Why did you have to be on the scene? And I can think of nothing ]"
 You have severe cramps in the stomach" said. "It's not to be won dered at, considering the way you abuse your stomach. I may say you are the only human being I ever was glad to see drinking himself to death. You have now some premonitory symp- toms of gastritis. You have got me up. If I do not have collar and tie on it will look more natural"
 I tossed these articles and my coat behind a couch.
 And possibly if you were less clad 1t would help the Illusion"
 Jed rid himself of collar, tie and coat and disposed of them in the same fashion.
 "Now, I imagine" I said "we are reasonably convincing as physician and sinner. What are your symp- toms?"
 "You're a man of genius!" Jed ex- claimed. "Wait minute"
 He ran to the window, concealing himself behind a curtain.
 He's almost here" he said, as he looked out on the ghastly white lawn. Then he came running back.
 ''The door had better be opened, he said, and he threw the door to
 
 the chairs and began to whine loudly.
 "It's an acute shooting pain, doc tor" he said loudly and then he whis- pered: "What ought it to be-"
 I heard the front door open and shut.
 T have often told you,' said with loud professional dignity, "that there is penalty attached to such habits as yours Have you any nauseaY"
 "Sick as I can be with pain." said Jed, grooming tremulously.
 'I don't mind at all being aroused, Jed" I said, just loud enough to carry to the person approaching and to sound to him as if 1t were normal tone to Jed with me in the office. That is a part of my business here.'
 knew Mir. Sidney was standing in the doorway. So did Jed. Neither of us betrayed our knowledge until the strange apparition which we knew to