Evening star., 1925-11-08
Continued from Yesterdays Star)


Well, I'd been debating, as | say, and
l thought I'd clear up lot OF work
over Sunday. SO | sent this thing
down to the house. But | never came
here again for over year, for rea-
sons that you know very well. The
day | entered this room for the first
time, here stood that machine. Out
of idle curiosity l started the thing.
and-well-you shall hear what
heard. It's extraordinary-an audi
bile recreation of the past. after a
year. Remarkable"'
He sat down, lighted a fresh cigar
meditatively. and appeared to fall into
TO endure the silence, Waterman said
sharply:
We'll. well-go on. go on
Aren't YOU little impatient to-
night" asked the other
Sorry"
Il wouldn't be in any hurry, if 1
were YOU"
What the hell do you mean by
that?" cried Waterman with the
abrupt violence of crash.
Why, Rollin"' Stanley reproached
him gently.
The other controlled himself with an
effort
L beg your pardon. I'm little
unstrunG tonight--I haven't been very
Well-
Perhaps you smoke too much.
Well, to get on with our little enter
1ainment, and that last afternoon in
our office" He rose. and went back
TO the machine.
Why are you always harping on
that cried Waterman, his irritation
mounting.
"Eh?" said Stanley, in bland sur
prise.
You made a proposal" snapped
Waterman. L accepted 1t. You lost.
] won. For Gods sake, forget it,
Stanley turned and cast upon the
other glance OF sudden savage pene-
tration-a glance which froze Water
man into silence and immobility.
Listen. he said. He bent over
the machine. and touched Il lever.
With strained attention. waiting for
he knew not what. Waterman heard
these words:
''Of course. there is always the possi-
bility Of error in these calculations.
and ii would be wise to allow a con-
siderable margin of safety therefor;
but on the whole we are i'll a posi-
tion TO say that we think we'll of the
proposition. If YOU wish. l shall be
glad TO discuss the matter AT length
and in detail. Very sincerely yours"
Again Stanley bent over the ma
'll4iIt, anu Tie VOICE ttGStu lie
smiled at Waterman and inquired
easily: Recognize the voice."
Waterman had recognized il. It's
yours. OF course" he said
NO doubt Of it,
None at all
swear to it in q court of law,
wouldn't you?"
Waterman rose. lie had feeling
that he had best be on his feet Sure.
What of it,
'Wait-there's a little more E,X-
traordinary. isn't it? After all these
months. the faithfulness of this ma
chine. Sit down. sit down"
After a moments hesitation, Water
man did so and Stanley added:
This will interest you, I promise
YOU
There was no doubt about Water
mans being interested. He sat on the
edge of his chair. his hands gripping
its arms. and glared upon the ma
chine
Again Stanley bent over the desk
and touched the lever. Instantly the
machine went on:
Don't worry about that. III at
tend to the details
Splendid-splendid. have only
one slight suggestion to make as to
the construction of Your scenario"
And what's that"
II don't like the name of your
villain
You ought to. it's your own"
what the hell is thisp" cried
Waterman. Ieaping to his feet.
Stanley stopped the machine
What's the natter" he inquired
gently
Waterman took a grip upon himself
Nothing, nothing-only-
You don't recognize the voices, do
you?"
NO, no. certainly not
Stanley was casualness itself You
see he explained, II am naturally
curious and | thought YOU might be
able to satisfy my curiosity-let me
give you a little more of i'll
Again the machine continued:
Yes, that's the point"
What are you getting at?''
Il suggest that you strike out the
name of Rollin Waterman, and substi-
tute the name of James Stanley"
With. suppressed exclamation
Waterman again leaped from his
chair.
Wait" cried Stanley sharply. with
commanding gesture. and the ma
chine went on:
What"
Precisely"
You want me to tell Miss Colby
that ii is Stanley and not you?"
Stop that thing-stop it, shouted
Waterman.
Stanley obeyed. do YOU recognize
the voices yet?" he inquired softly
'No.-No," cried Waterman.
''Ah-shall we have Il bit more,
them"
"No-I've had enough of this damn
nonsense"
''So?"
What are YOU trying to DO, frame
me up? rve had enough say
'You?-Frame YOU" Stanley was
the picture Of innocence why, what
have You got to do with it,"
Nothing" shouted Waterman
Are YOU afraid to so on?"
Afraid? No-why should l be
afraid?"
Well sit down then"
No | wont. And I'll thank you
to eXplain---'
Now when man suddenly finds
himself looking into the barrel of a
revolver held by the hand of his friend,
il naturally gives a slightly different
turn TO his thoughts. To Waterman
IL was as if the end of the world had
come.
sit down" said Stanley coldly.
What"
Il say sit down" And the voice
was the voice of fate. This is the
night of your accounting"
Slowly, feebly, like a man stricken
abruptly with mortal disease, Water
man retreated till he felt the chair
behind him. Into its depths he
slumped, and sat there, with his chin
upon his breast, his hands hanging
Imply till they nearly touched the
floor.
Relentlessly Stanley stood and
watch him. Relentlessly. too, the ma