Evening journal., 1922-01-16

Professor Semyonov, the celebrat-
ed chemist whose profound knowl-
edge of toxicology had more than
once been placed at the disposal Of
The authorities in the solution OF
crime. tugged at his bushy white
side-whiskers and gazed at Sergeant
John Barry from the Homicide Bu-
reau.
The professors head with its shock
OF white hair nodded slowly and his
srewd eyes twinked.
You tell me that there is now
calmness upon the waters? No crime
of more Importance than the aver
age petty misdemeanor engages the
attention of your bureau? Is that
why you have honored me tonight
with an unexpected but most well
come call, and in your civilian
clothes7
You've got me. Professor Semy-
onovl" The detective laughed again
frankly. There's no crime wave
threatening to break over us that
/ know Of. but rather curious case
has come TO our attention at head
quarters"
The roll OF distant but approach
Ing thunder broke upon his words.
we are going TO have a storm. ."
The professor rose from his chair
and waddling over to the windows
pulled down the shades. He moved
with astonishing rapidity and vigor.
I do not like TO watch IL ap-
proach; 1t fills me with a sense Of
suspense. of foreboding. IT is the
electricity Of the air suppose.
You shall tell me all about your
case, but first you must see my
psrtment My laboratories are
quite on the other side OF the city,
YOU know but here on this old
square where the aristocracy OF for
gotten generations lived once upon
A time I find the absolutely difer-
ent atmosphere which brings relax
alton"
Barry followed his host through a
spacious. old-fashioned dressing
room and bath to the bedroom al
the back.
Here. too. the professor paused tc
pull down the shades and then open
ing a door at the right displayed a
modern kitchenette.
This house. you perceive, mus
once have been a family mansion
but II has now been made over, ar
apartment to each floor" Professor
Semyonov explained. "A shop O.
hammered brasses and other atroci
ties occupies the street level,
young gentleman whom I do no
know has but lately arrived on tn,
second floor. His apartment is large
than mine. however for an extr,
room is built out over the strip o
garden but tho extension ends OF
the floor above his in a studio wit
a skylight II is occupied. that thir
floor, by woman who paints por
traits. Mrs. McGnath tells me.
The fourth apartment. that al
rectly below mine here, houses
crotchety gentleman with no ear 10
music; he raps on his ceiling whe
play my violin at unseasonabl
hours.
above me in an attac studio live
one OF the feminine freaks peculia
to the neighborhood in its declinin
years a shocked. thin. wraith-iik
creature with bobbed hair and
pointed chin. She might be 20 or AZ
and it is understood that she write
for the eccentric little magazine
which spring up sporadically here
about. so now, my dear sergean
You arc acquainted with my hom
and its surroundings. What do yo
think Of it7"
He chuckled as he led the wa
back to the living room and Barr
followed. at a loss what to repl.
The professor was known on thre
continents. his scientific discoveris
had made him rich: he might haS
lived IN solitary state in a house {
his own or occupied the most e,
oensive bachelor apartment in tow
why had he chosen 10 hide himse
away in such dlngy dreary qua
ters?
You seem to be mighty comfoi
table. Professor Semyonov." TT
detective spoke as heartily as I
could and his host laughed ou
right.
THAT is the pointl" he e,
claimed Il saw that you were SUI
prised when you came, but my wani
are simple and here, you see, I al
just a queer, old foreigner name
Semyonov, who minds his businei
and goes his way in peace; I am n,
Professor Semyonov. the chemist,
whose laboratories all the worl
comes No one knows OF my aboC