Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1920-10-29
HON 1 always dreaded, was fol-

! Jed, whom 1 always dreaded, was fol-
lowing him.
It may be wondered why l was not
instantly in chase and why l stood
worried and indecisive. The only ex-
PLANTATION is that I knew, as surely as
one could know anything by reason
4 and conjecture, that whatever was
happening that night had happened
this same night for number of years
in the past, and that whatever 1t
was, it 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, / acted as / 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
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 it must be
Jed, and I waited where / stood as
he approached. He barely had come
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 establishment, but re-
covered himself with wonderful
promptness.
'Inside, man, inside, and act natu-
RAIL-" 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
clutching 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 it himself and was all
futter and activity. Then he or
dered:
"Into the office now, and act natu-
raj 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"
tYOu have severe cramps in the
stomach" 1 said. "It's not to be Won
dered at, considering the way you
abuse your stomach. / 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 l do not have a collar and tie
on it will look more natural"
1 tossed these articles and my coat
behind a couch.
'And possibly if you were less clad
it would help the Illusion"
Jed rid himself of collar, tie and
coat and disposed of them in the same
fashion.
'.Now, / imagine" I said, I'VE 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 curtain.
Hes almost here" he said, as he
looked out on the CHASTITY white lawn.
Then he came running back.
1.-THE door had better be opened
he said, and he threw the door to
the Office open. Then he sat in one Of
the chairs and began to whine loudly.
'Its 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.
81 have often told you," I said with
loud professional dignity, 'that there
is a penalty attached TO such habits
as yours Have you any nausea?"
"Sick as l can be with PAIN" said
Jed, grooming TREMENDOUSLY.
81 don't mind at all being aroused,
Jed" / said, just loud enough to carry
to the person approaching and to
sound to him as if it were a normal
tone to Jed with me in the office.
"That is a part of my business here"
knew Mr.. Sidney was standing in
the doorway. So did Jed. Neither of
us betrayed our knowledge until the
strange apparition which we knew to
be there said:
cup so late, doctor? Up so late,
jedi"
"Why, Mr.. Sidney!' 1 exclaimed.
/ He was, indeed, an extraordinary
looking being. He had controlled his
voice and his manner Discipline was
fixed in his soul. But he had not con-
trolled his expression. 1t was of the
widest excitement And yet how he
tried to preserve the normalities, taken
as he was in such strange circum-
stances!
'Mr Sidney" l exclaimed again,
and my wonder was not simulated.
'You abroad tonight at such an hour ~
He made violent effort to keep his
composure and succeeded.
81 felt so well, DOCTOR" he said, ''and
1 see so little of the place / love so
much, that 1 took the only chance
had-this wonderful October moon and
my faithful physician asleep and off
guard, as 1 thought--to steal out
moment. But Jed"