,,! ,,treasure-,,tra9  ,,by  ,,ar?ur ,b4
 ,,reeve  ,,frontispiece ,,by ,,w ,,fo/]
       ,,cont5ts  ,,*apt]     ,i4  ,,!  
,,treasure-,,tra9    ,,ii4  ,,!         
,,tru?-,,detector   ,,iii4  ,,!         
,,s\l-,,analysis    ,,iv4  ,,! ,,my/ic  
,,poison]     ,v4  ,,! ,,phantom        
,,de/roy]    ,,vi4  ,,! ,,beauty ,,mask 
,,vii4  ,,! ,,love ,,met]  ,,viii4  ,,! 
,,vital ,,pr9ciple    ,,ix4  ,,! ,,rubb]
 ,,dagg]     ,x4  ,,! ,,subm>9e ,,m9e   
,,xi4  ,,! ,,gun-,,runn]   ,,xii4  ,,!  
,,sunk5 ,,treasure     ,i  ,,!          
,,treasure-,,tra9   ,i am n by nature a 
spy1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 b--well1         
sometimes "o is =c$ into some?+ l t4    
,maude ,eu/on1 :o _h s\ght out ,craig 9 
8 laboratory1 0 a /rik+ girl1 n m]ely   
because %e 0 pretty or because h] g[n 0 
modi%4 ,p]haps x 0 h] s9c]ity &         
artlessness t made h] attractive4  ,%e 0
 ! daught] ( ,b>ry ,eu/on1 presid5t ( ! 
,cont95tal ,express ,company1 & "o c\ld 
readily see :y1 aside f ! position h]   
fa!r held1 %e %\ld be among !           

mo/-s\ght-aft] "y wom5 9 ! city4  ,miss 
,eu/on look$ /raight into ,k5n$y's eyes 
z %e add$1 )\t wait+ = him to ask a "q3 
,ye/]day ,i he>d some?+ t has made me   
?9k a great deal4 ,y "k1 we live at !   
,/4 ,g]ma9e :5 we are 9 t[n4 ,i've      
notic$ = sev]al mon?s pa/ t ! lobbies   
are full ( /range1 =eign-look+ p4       
,well1 ye/]day aft]noon ,i 0 sitt+ alone
 9 ! tea-room ( ! hotel1 wait+ = "s     
fri5ds4 ,on ! o!r side ( a huge palm ,i 
he>d a c\ple :isp]+4 ,i h se5 ! woman   
ab\t ! hotel (t51 ?\gh ,i "k t %e       
doesn't live !re4 ,! man ,i don't       
rememb] ev] hav+ se5 be=e4 ,!y m5tion$ !
 "n ( ,granville ,b>nes1 treasur] (     
fa!r's company--  ,is t s8 cut 9 ,k5n$y1
 quickly4 ,i read ! /ory ab\t him 9 !   
pap]s ?is morn+4  ,z = myself1 ,i 0     
in/antly alive ) int]e/1 too4           
,granville ,b>nes _h be5 sudd5ly /rick5 
:ile rid+ 9 8 c> 9 ! c\ntry1 & ! report 
_h x t he 0 hov]+ betwe5 life & dea? 9 !
 ,g5]al ,hospital4 ,! *auffeur _h be5   
/rick51 too1 by ! same incompreh5sible  

malady1 ?\gh app>5tly n s badly4  ,h[ ! 
*auffeur manag$ to save ! c> 0 a        
miracle1 b he br\ght x to a /op beside !
 road1 :]e ! two 7 f\nd gasp+1 a qu>t] (
 an h\r lat]1 by a pass+ motori/1 :o    
ru%$ !m to a doctor1 :o _h !m transf]r$ 
to ! hospital 9 ! city4 ,nei!r ( !m     
seem$ able or will+ to ?r[ any light on 
:at _h happ5$4  ,j :at 0 x y ov]he>d8   
enc\rag$ ,k5n$y4  ,i he>d ! man tell !  
woman1 ,miss ,eu/on repli$1 sl[ly1 t n[ 
0 ! *ance--:5 any ( ! great w>r+ p[]s   
w\ld welcome & w9k at any bl[ t might   
cripple ! o!r to ! slighte/ degree4 ,i  
he>d him say some?+ ab\t ! ,cont95tal   
,express ,company1 & t 0 en\gh to make  
me li/51 =1 y "k1 fa!r's company is h&l+
 ! big %ipm5ts ( gold & securities t are
 com+ "h f abroad by way ( ,halifax4 ,!n
 ,i he>d h] m5tion ! names ( ,mr4 ,b>nes
 & ( ,mr4 ,lane1 too1 ! g5]al manag]4   
,%e paus$1 z ?\gh n reli%+ ! idea ( hav+
 ! names b&i$ ab\t4 ,la/ night !--!     
attack on him--= t is all t ,i c ?9k x  
0--occurr$4  ,z %e /opp$ aga91 ,i c\ld n

 help ?9k+ :at a tale ( /range plott+ ! 
casual conv]sation sugge/$4 ,new ,york1 
,i knew1 0 full ( high-class            
int]national crooks & flimflamm]s :o _h 
flock$ !re because ! great field ( _!   
op]ations 9 ,europe 0 clos$4 ,! w> _h   
lit]ally dump$ !m on u4 ,0 "s "o us+ a  
b& ( ^! crooks = ult]ior purposes8 ,!   
idea op5$ up wide possibilities4  ,(    
c\rse1 ,miss ,eu/on cont9u$1 t is all ,i
 "k2 b ,i ?9k ,i am ju/ifi$ 9 ?9k+ t !  
two ?+s--! %ipm5t ( gold "h & !         
attack--h "s connection4 ,oh1 c't y take
 up ! case & look into x8  ,%e made h]  
appeal s w9somely t x w\ld h be5        
difficult to resi/ ev5 if x _h n promis$
 to prove important4  ,i %\ld be glad to
 take up ! matt]1 repli$ ,craig1        
quickly1 add+1 if ,mr4 ,b>nes w let me4 
,oh1 he mu/6 %e cri$4 ,i hav5't spok5 to
 fa!r1 b ,i "k t he w\ld approve ( x4 ,i
 "k he ?9ks ,i hav5't any head =        
bus9ess1 j because ,i wasn't born a boy4
 ,i want to prove to him t ,i c protect 
! companies int]e/s4 ,& ,mr4 ,b>nes--:y1

 ( c\rse he w approve4  ,%e said x ) an 
assurance t made me wond]4 ,x 0 only !n 
t ,i recollect$ t x _h be5 "o ( !       
excuses = pr9t+ h] picture 9 ! society  
columns ( ! ,/> s (t5 t ! pretty daught]
 ( ! presid5t ( ! ,cont95tal 0 be+      
ard5tly woo$ by two ( ! company's y\ng] 
(ficials4 ,granville ,b>nes himself 0   
"o4 ,! o!r 0 ,rodman ,lane1 ! "y g5]al  
manag]4 ,i wi%$ n[ t ,i _h paid m       
att5tion to ! society news4 ,p]haps ,i  
%\ld h be5 9 a bett] position to judge  
:i* ( !m x 0 :om %e really _h *os54 ,z x
 01 two que/ions pres5t$ !mselves to me4
 ,0 x ,b>nes8 ,& _h ,b>nes really be5 ! 
victim ( an attack--or ( an accid5t8    
,k5n$y may h be5 ?9k+ ! problems ov]1 b 
he gave no evid5ce ( x4 ,he ?rew on 8   
hat & coat1 & 0 ready 9 a mom5t to be   
driv5 9 ,miss ,eu/on's c> to ! hospital4
  ,!re1 aft] ! usual cutt+ ( r$ tape :i*
 only ,miss ,eu/on c\ld h accompli%$1 we
 7 l$ by a :ite-uni=m$ nurse ?r\gh !    
sil5t halls to ! private room occupi$ by
 ,b>nes4  ,x's a mo/ peculi> case1      

:isp]$ ! "y doctor 9 *>ge1 z we paus$ at
 ! door4 ,i want y to notice 8 face & 8 
c\gh4 ,8 pulse seems v weak1 almo/      
imp]ceptible at times4 ,! /e?oscope     
reveals subcrepitant s\nds all ov] 8    
lungs4 ,x's l bron*itis or pneumonia--b 
x isn't ei!r4  ,we ent]$4 ,b>nes 0 ly+  
!re almo/ 9 a /ate ( unconsci\sness4 ,z 
we /ood wat*+ him he op5$ 8 eyes4 ,b he 
did n see u4 ,8 vision seem$ to be      
rivet$ on ,miss ,eu/on4 ,he murmur$     
some?+ t we c\ld n cat*1 &1 z 8 eyes    
clos$ aga91 8 face seem$ to relax into a
 peaceful expression1 z ?\gh he 7 dream+
 ( some?+ happy4  ,sudd5ly1 h[ev]1 ! old
 t5se l9es reappe>$4 ,ano!r idea seem$  
to h be5 sugge/$4  ,is--,lane--hir+ !   
m5--himself8 he murmur$4  ,! sight (    
,maude ,eu/on _h prompt$ ! ?\ght ( 8    
rival1 n[ ) a cle> field4 ,:at did x    
mean8 ,0 he jeal\s ( ,lane1 or did 8    
words h a deep] mean+8 ,:at diff]5ce    
c\ld x h made if ,lane _h a free h& 9   
manag+ ! %ipm5t ( treasure = ! company8 
,k5n$y look$ long & c>efully at ! face (

 ! sick man4 ,x 0 blue & cyanos$ /ill1 &
 8 lips _h a violet t+e4 ,b>nes _h be5  
c\gh+ a great deal4 ,n[ & !n 8 m\? 0    
fleck$ ) foamy blood1 :i* ! nurse wip$  
g5tly away4 ,k5n$y pick$ up a piece ( ! 
blood-soak$ gauze4  ,a mom5t lat] we    
)drew f ! room z quietly z we _h ent]$ &
 tipto$ d[n ! hall1 ,miss ,eu/on & ! "y 
doctor foll[+ u m sl[ly4 ,z we rea*$ !  
door1 ,i turn$ to see :]e %e 04 ,a      
di/+ui%$-look+ eld]ly g5tleman1 sitt+ 9 
! wait+-room1 _h happ5$ to glance up z  
%e pass$ & _h mov$ quickly to ! hall4   
,:at--y "h1 ,maude8 we he>d him say4    
,yes1 fa!r4 ,i ?\ght ,i might be able to
 d some?+ = ,granville4  ,%e accompani$ 
! rem>k ) a sidelong glance & nod at u1 
:i* ,k5n$y int]pret$ to mean t we might 
z well keep 9 ! backgr\nd4 ,eu/on       
himself1 f> f *id+ h]1 seem$ r to be    
pleas$ ?an o!rwise4 ,we c\ld n he> all  
!y said1 b "o s5t5ce 0 waft$ ov]4  ,x's 
mo/ un=tunate1 ,maude1 at j ?is "t4 ,x  
leaves ! :ole matt] 9 ! h&s ( ,lane4    
,at ! m5tion ( ,lane1 :i* h] fa!r       

accompani$ by a ke5 glance1 %e flu%$ a  
little & bit h] lip4 ,i wond]$ :e!r x   
meant m ?an t1 ( ! two suitors1 h] fa!r 
obvi\sly pref]r$ ,b>nes4  ,eu/on _h     
call$ to see ,b>nes1 &1 z ! doctor l$   
him up ! hall aga91 ,miss ,eu/on rejo9$ 
u4  ,y ne$ n drive u back1 ?ank$ ,k5n$y4
 ,j drop u at ! ,subway4 ,i'll let y "k 
! mom5t ,i h arriv$ at any conclusion4  
,on ! tra9 we happ5$ to run across a =m]
 classmate1 ,morehead1 :o _h gone into !
 brok]age bus9ess4  ,que] ab\t t ,b>nes 
case1 isn't x8 sugge/$ ,k5n$y1 aft] !   
usual greet+s 7 ov]4 ,!n1 )\t sugge/+ t 
we 7 m ?an casually int]e/$1 ,:at does !
 ,/reet ?9k ( x8  ,x is que]1 rejo9$    
,morehead4 ,all ! boys d[n-t[n are talk+
 ab\t x--wond]+ h[ x w affect ! transit 
( ! gold %ipm5ts4 ,i don't "k :at w\ld  
happ5 if !re %\ld be a hit*4 ,b !y ought
 to be able to run ! ?+ ?r\gh all "r4   
,x's a pretty tickli% piece ( bus9ess1  
!n8 ,i sugge/$4  ,well1 y "k ! /ate ( ! 
m>ket j n[--a little pu% "o way or ! o!r
 means a lot4 ,& ,i suppose y "k t !    

insid]s on ! ,/reet h boo/$ ,cont95tal  
,express up until x is practically "o ( 
! 'w> /ocks1' too4 ,well1 good-by--"h's 
my /ation4  ,we _h sc>cely return$ to ! 
laboratory1 h[ev]1 :5 a c> drove up     
furi\sly & a "y man bu/l$ 9 to see u4   
,y d n "k me1 he introduc$1 b ,i am     
,rodman ,lane1 g5]al manag] ( !         
,cont95tal ,express4 ,y "k our company  
has _h *>ge ( ! big %ipm5ts ( gold &    
securities to ,new ,york4 ,i suppose    
y've read ab\t :at happ5$ to ,b>nes1 our
 treasur]4 ,i don't "k any?+ ab\t       
x--hav5't ev5 "t to f9d out4 ,all ,i "k 
is t x puts m "w on me1 & ,i'm ne>ly    
crazy already4  ,i wat*$ him n>r[ly4    
,we've _h little tr\ble ( any k9d s f>1 
he hurri$ on1 until j n[ ,i le>n$ t all 
! roads ov] :i* we are likely to s5d !  
%ipm5ts h be5 f9d+ _m m brok5 rails ?an 
usual4  ,k5n$y _h be5 foll[+ him ke5ly4 
,i %\ld l to see "s samples ( !m1 he    
obs]v$4  ,y w\ld8 said ,lane1 eag]ly4   
,i've a c\ple ( sections saw$ f rails   
d[n at my (fice1 :]e ,i ask$ ! (ficials 

to s5d !m4  ,we made a hurri$ trip d[n  
to ! express company's (fice4 ,k5n$y    
exam9$ ! sections ( rails m9utely ) a   
/rong pocket-l5s4  ,no ord9>y break1 he 
comm5t$4 ,y c see t x 0 an explosive t 0
 us$--an explosive well & prop]ly tamp$ 
d[n ) wet clay4 ,)\t tamp+1 ! rails w\ld
 h be5 b5t1 n brok54  ,done by wreck]s1 
!n8 ,lane ask$4  ,c]ta9ly n defective   
rails1 repli$ ,k5n$y4 ,/ill1 ,i don't   
?9k y ne$ worry s mu* ab\t !m = ! next  
tra94 ,y "k :at to gu>d aga9/4 ,hav+ be5
 discov]$1 :oev] !y are1 !y'll probably 
n try x aga94 ,x's "s new wr9kle t mu/  
be gu>d$ aga9/4  ,x 0 small com=t1 b    
,craig 0 accu/om$ to be+ brutally frank4
  ,h y tak5 any o!r precautions n[ t y  
didn't take be=e8  ,yes1 repli$ ,lane1  
sl[ly2 ! railroad has be5 exp]im5t+ )   
wireless on its tra9s4 ,we h plac$      
wireless on ours1 too4 ,!y c't cut u (f 
by cutt+ wires4 ,!n1 ( c\rse1 z be=e1 we
 %all use a pilot-tra9 to run ahead & a 
/rong gu>d on ! tra9 itself4 ,b n[ ,i   
feel t !re may be some?+ else t we c d4 

,s ,i h come to y4  ,:5 does ! next     
%ipm5t />t8 ask$ ,k5n$y4  ,to-morr[1 f  
,halifax4  ,k5n$y appe>$ to be consid]+ 
some?+4  ,! tr\ble1 he said1 at l5g?1 is
 likely to be at ?is end4 ,p]haps be=e !
 tra9 />ts some?+ may happ5 t w tell u j
 :at additional measures to take z x    
approa*es ,new ,york4  ,:ile ,k5n$y 0 at
 "w ) ! blood-soak$ gauze t he _h tak5 f
 ,b>nes1 ,i c\ld d no?+ b try to place !
 relative positions ( ! v>i\s actors 9 !
 little drama t 0 unfold+4 ,lane himself
 puzzl$ me4 ,sometimes ,i felt almo/    
sure t he knew t ,miss ,eu/on _h come to
 ,k5n$y1 & t he 0 try+1 9 ?is way1 to   
keep 9 t\* ) :at 0 be+ done = ,b>nes4   
,"s ?+s ,i knew already4 ,b>nes 0       
comp>atively weal?y1 & _h evid5tly !    
/amp ( approval ( ,maude ,eu/on's fa!r4 
,z = ,lane1 he 0 f> f weal?y1 al?\gh    
ambiti\s4  ,! company 0 9 a delicate    
situation :]e an act ( omission w\ld    
c\nt = z mu* z an act ( commission4     
,:oev] c\ld =esee :at 0 go+ to happ5    
might capitalize t in=mation = mu*      

money4 ,if !re 0 a plot & ,b>nes _h be5 
a victim1 :at 0 its nature8 ,i recall$  
,miss ,eu/on's ov]he>d conv]sation 9 !  
tea-room4 ,bo? names _h be5 m5tion$4 ,9 
%ort1 ,i soon f\nd myself wond]+ :e!r "s
 "o might n h tempt$ ,lane ei!r to d or 
n to d some?+4  ,i wi% y'd g ov] to !   
,/4 ,g]ma9e1 ,walt]1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y1 at  
l5g?1 look+ up f 8 "w4 ,don't tell ,miss
 ,eu/on ( ,lane's visit4 ,b ask h] if %e
 w keep an eye out = t woman %e he>d    
talk+--& ! man1 too4 ,!y may drop 9     
aga94 ,& tell h] t if %e he>s any?+     
else1 no matt] h[ trivial1 ab\t ,b>nes1 
%e mu/ let me "k4  ,i 0 glad ( !        
commission4 ,n only _h ,i be5 unable to 
arrive any:]e 9 my conjectures1 b x 0   
some?+ ev5 to h a *ance to talk ) a girl
 l ,maude ,eu/on4  ,=tunately ,i f\nd h]
 at home &1 ?\gh %e 0 r disappo9t$ t ,i 
_h no?+ to report1 %e receiv$ me        
graci\sly1 & we sp5t ! re/ ( ! ev5+     
wat*+ ! v>i$ life ( ! fa%ionable ho/elry
 9 ! hope ( *anc+ on ! hold]s ( ! /range
 conv]sation 9 ! tea-room4  ,once 9 a   

:ile an idea w\ld occur to h] ( "s "o :o
 0 9 a position to keep h] in=m$ if     
any?+ fur!r happ5$ to ,b>nes1 & %e w\ld 
despat* a mess5g] ) a little note4      
,f9ally1 z x grew late & ! adv5turess ( 
! tea-room episode seem$ unlikely to    
favor ! ,/4 ,g]ma9e ) h] pres5ce aga9 t 
night1 ,i made my excuses1 hav+ _h !    
satisfaction only ( hav+ deliv]$        
,k5n$y's message1 )\t accompli%+ any?+  
m4 ,9 fact1 ,i 0 /ill unable to det]m9e 
:e!r !re 0 any s5tim5t /rong] ?an       
sympa?y t prompt$ h] to come to ,k5n$y  
ab\t ,b>nes4 ,z = ,lane1 8 "n 0 sc>cely 
m5tion$ except :5 x 0 necess>y4  ,x 0   
e>ly ! next morn+ t ,i rejo9$ ,craig at 
! laboratory4 ,i f\nd him /udy+ !       
solution :i* he _h extract$ f !         
blood-soak$ gauze aft] fir/ remov+ !    
blood 9 a little di/ill$ wat]4  ,be=e   
him 0 8 new spectroscope1 & ,i c\ld see 
t n[ he 0 satisfi$ ) :at ! uncannily    
delicate light-detective _h told him4   
,he prick$ 8 f+] & let a drop ( blood   
fall into a little fre% di/ill$ wat]1 "s

 ( :i* he plac$ 9 ! spectroscope4  ,look
 ?r\gh x1 he said4 ,blood dilut$ ) wat] 
%[s ! well-kn[n d>k b&s betwe5 ,d & ,e1 
kn[n z ! oxyhemoglob9 absorption4 ,i    
look$ z he indicat$ & saw ! d>k b&s4    
,n[1 he w5t on1 ,i add "s ( ?is o!r     
liquid4  ,he pick$ up a bottle ( some?+ 
) a fa9t gre5i% t+e4  ,see ! b&s        
gradually fade8  ,i wat*$1 & inde$ !y   
did dim9i% 9 int5sity & f9ally disappe>1
 leav+ an un9t]rupt$ & brilliant        
spectrum4  ,my spectroscope1 he said1   
simply1 %[s t ! blood-cry/als ( ,b>nes  
are colorless4 ,b>nes 0 poison$--by "s  
gas1 ,i ?9k4 ,i wi% ,i _h "t to hunt    
along ! road :]e ! accid5t took place4  
,z he said x1 he walk$ ov] & drew f a   
cab9et sev]al peculi> arrangem5ts made (
 gauze4  ,he 0 ab\t to say some?+ m :5  
!re came a knock at ! door4 ,k5n$y %ov$ 
! gauze arrangem5ts into 8 pocket & op5$
 x4 ,x 0 ,maude ,eu/on1 brea?less &     
agitat$4  ,oh1 ,mr4 ,k5n$y1 h y he>d8 %e
 cri$4 ,y ask$ me to keep a wat* :e!r   
any?+ m happ5$ to ,mr4 ,b>nes4 ,s ,i    

ask$ "s fri5ds ( 8 to let me "k ( any?+4
 ,he has a ya*t1 ! ,sea ,gull1 :i* has  
be5 ly+ (f ,city ,isl&4 ,well1 la/ night
 ! capta9 receiv$ a message to g to !   
hospital1 t ,mr4 ,b>nes want$ to see    
him4 ,( c\rse x 0 a fake4 ,mr4 ,b>nes 0 
too sick to see anybody on bus9ess4 ,b  
:5 ! capta9 got back1 he f\nd t1 on "o  
pretext or ano!r1 ! crew _h be5 got     
a%ore--& ! ,sea ,gull is gone--/ol56 ,"s
 m5 9 a small boat mu/ h ov]p[]$ !      
eng9e]4 ,anyh[1 %e has disappe>$4 ,i "k 
t no "o c\ld expect to /eal a ya*t--at  
lea/ = v long4 ,%e'd be recogniz$ soon4 
,b !y mu/ "k t1 too4  ,k5n$y look$ at 8 
wat*4  ,x is only a few h\rs s9ce ! tra9
 />t$ f ,halifax1 he consid]$4 ,x w be  
due 9 ,new ,york e>ly to-morr[          
morn+--tw5ty million doll>s 9 gold &    
?irty millions 9 securities--a sev5-c>  
/eel tra91 ) =ty arm$ gu>ds6  ,i "k x1  
%e said1 anxi\sly1 & ,i am s afraid     
some?+ is go+ to happ5--ev] s9ce ,i _h  
to play ! spy4 ,b :at c\ld any "o want )
 a ya*t8  ,k5n$y %rugg$ 8 %\ld]s        

non-committally4  ,x is "o ( ! ?+s t    
,mr4 ,lane mu/ gu>d aga9/1 he rem>k$1   
simply4 ,%e look$ up quickly4  ,mr4     
,lane8 %e repeat$4  ,yes1 repli$ ,k5n$y2
 ! protection ( ! tra9 has fall5 on him4
 ,i %all meet ! tra9 myself :5 x gets to
 ,worce/] & come 9 on x4 ,i don't ?9k   
!re c be any dang] be=e x rea*es t po9t4
  ,w ,mr4 ,lane g ) y8  ,he mu/1 decid$ 
,k5n$y4 ,t tra9 mu/ be deliv]$ safely "h
 9 ?is city4  ,maude ,eu/on gave ,craig 
"o ( h] p5etrat+1 direct looks4  ,y ?9k 
!re is dang]1 !n8  ,i _c say1 he repli$4
  ,!n ,i am go+ ) y6 %e exclaim$4       
,k5n$y paus$ & met h] eyes4 ,i d n "k   
:e!r he read :at 0 back ( h] sudd5      
decision4 ,at lea/ ,i c\ld n1 unless !re
 0 some?+ ab\t ,rodman ,lane :i* %e wi%$
 to h cle>$ up4 ,k5n$y seem$ to read h] 
"* & "k t a girl l ,maude ,eu/on w\ld be
 a help 9 any em]g5cy4  ,v well1 he     
agre$2 meet u at ,mr4 ,lane's (fice 9   
half an h\r4 ,walt]1 see :e!r y c f9d   
,:it+4  ,:it+ 0 "o ( ,k5n$y's /ud5ts )  
:om he _h be5 lately conduct+ "s        

exp]im5ts4 ,i hurri$ out & manag$ to    
locate him4  ,:at is x y suspect8 ,i    
ask$1 :5 we return$4 ,a wreck--"s       
spectacul> /roke at ! nations t are     
%ipp+ ! gold8  ,p]haps1 he repli$1      
abs5tly1 z he & ,:it+ hurri$ly assembl$ 
"s p>ts ( in/rum5ts t 7 on a table 9 an 
adjo9+ room4  ,p]haps8 ,i repeat$4 ,:at 
else might !re be8  ,robb]y4  ,robb]y6  
,i exclaim$4 ,( tw5ty million doll>s8   
,:y1 man1 j consid] ! m]e weight ( !    
metal6  ,t's all v well1 he repli$1 w>m+
 up a bit z he saw t ,:it+ 0 gett+ ?+s  
toge!r quickly4 ,b x ne$s only a bit (  
tw5ty millions to make a snug =tune--   
,he paus$ & /raight5$ up z ! ga!r+ ( !  
peculi> electrical app>atus1 :atev] x 01
 0 complet$4 ,&1 he w5t on quickly1     
consid] ! effect on ! /ock-m>ket ( !    
news4 ,t's ! big ?+4  ,i c\ld only gasp4
  ,a mod]n tra9-robb]y1 plann$ 9 ! he>t 
( d5se traffic6  ,:y n8 he qu]i$4 ,no?+ 
is impossible if y c only take ! o!r    
fell[ unaw>es4 ,our job is n to be tak5 
unaw>es4 ,are y ready1 ,:it+8  ,yes1    

sir1 repli$ ! /ud5t1 %\ld]+ ! app>atus1 
= :i* ,i 0 v ?ankful1 = my arms _h      
frequ5tly a*$ c>ry+ ab\t "s ( ,k5n$y's  
weird b (t5 weighty app>atus4  ,we pil$ 
into a taxicab & made a quick j\rney to 
! (fice ( ! ,cont95tal ,express4 ,maude 
,eu/on _h already prec$$ u1 & we f\nd h]
 /&+ by ,lane's desk z he pac$ ! floor4 
,please1 ,miss ,eu/on1 don't g1 he 0    
say+ z we ent]$4  ,b ,i want to g1 %e   
p]si/$1 m ?an ev] det]m9$1 app>5tly4  ,i
 h engag$ ,pr(essor ,k5n$y j = ! purpose
 ( =esee+ :at new attack c be made on u1
 he said4  ,y h engag$ ,pr(essor ,k5n$y8
 %e ask$4 ,i ?9k ,i h a prior claim !re1
 hav5't ,i8 %e appeal$4  ,k5n$y /ood = a
 mom5t look+ f "o to ! o!r4 ,:at 0 !re 9
 ! motives t actuat$ !m8 ,0 x fe>1 hate1
 love1 jeal\sy8  ,i c s]ve my two cli5ts
 only if !y yield to me1 ,craig rem>k$1 
quietly4 ,don't set t d[n1 ,:it+4 ,:i*  
is x--yes or no8  ,nei!r ,lane nor ,miss
 ,eu/on look$ at ea* o!r = a mom5t4  ,is
 x 9 my h&s8 repeat$ ,craig4  ,yes1 bit 
(f ,lane1 s\rly4  ,& y1 ,miss ,eu/on8   

,( c\rse1 %e answ]$4  ,!n we all g1     
decid$ ,craig4 ,lane1 may ,i in/all ?is 
?+ 9 y\r telegraph-room outside8  ,any?+
 y say1 ,lane return$1 unmollifi$4      
,:it+ set to "w imm$iately1 :ile ,k5n$y 
gave him ! f9al in/ructions4  ,nei!r    
,lane nor ,miss ,eu/on spoke a ^w1 ev5  
:5 ,i left ! room = a mom5t1 fe>+ t ?ree
 0 a cr[d4 ,i c\ld n help wond]+ :e!r %e
 might n h he>d some?+ m f ! woman 9 !  
tea-room conv]sation ?an %e _h told u4  
,if %e _h1 %e _h be5 m frank ) ,lane ?an
 ) u4 ,%e mu/ h told him4 ,c]ta9ly %e _h
 n told u4 ,x 0 ! only way ,i c\ld      
acc\nt = ! arm$ truce t seem$ to exi/ z1
 h\r aft] h\r1 our tra9 c>ri$ u ne>] !  
po9t :]e we 7 to meet ! treasure-tra94  
,at ,worce/] we _h /ill a long wait = ! 
argosy t 0 caus+ s mu* anxiety & dang]4 
,x 0 long aft] ! "t s*$ul$ t we left    
f9ally1 on our return j\rney1 late at   
night4  ,ahead ( u w5t a dummy          
pilot-tra9 to be sacrific$ if any       
bridges or tre/les 7 bl[n up or if any  
new attempts 7 made at produc+          

artificially brok5 rails4 ,we f\r       
e/abli%$ ourselves z be/ we c\ld 9 a c> 
9 ! c5t] ( ! treasure-tra91 ) "o ( !    
arm$ gu>ds z company4 ,mile aft] mile we
 reel$ (f1 ev] s\?w>d & we/w>d4  ,we mu/
 h cross$ ! ,/ate ( ,connecticut & h be5
 approa*+ ,long ,isl& ,s\nd1 :5 sudd5ly 
! tra9 /opp$ ) a j]k4 ,ord9>ily !re is  
no?+ to gr[ al>m$ ab\t at ! m]e /opp+ ( 
a tra94 ,b ?is 0 an unusual tra9 "u     
unusual circum/ances4  ,no "o said a ^w 
z we pe]$ out4 ,d[n ! track ! signals   
seem$ to %[ a cle> road4 ,:at 0 ! matt]8
  ,look6 exclaim$ ,k5n$y1 sudd5ly4  ,(f 
a di/ance ahead ,i c\ld see :at look$ l 
a long r[ ( :ite fuses /ick+ up 9 ! fa9t
 />light4 ,f !m ! fre% we/ w9d seem$ to 
bl[ a ?ick curta9 ( gre5i%-yell[ smoke  
:i* swept across ! track1 envelop+ !    
eng9e & ! =w>d c>s & n[ advanc+ t[>d u l
 ! yell[ w9d ( nor!rn ,*9a4 ,x seem$ to 
spread ?ickly on ! gr\nd1 ris+ sc>cely m
 ?an sixte5 or eighte5 feet4  ,a mom5t &
 ! cl\d began to fill ! air ab\t u4 ,!re
 0 a p>alyz+ odor4 ,i look$ ab\t at !   

o!rs1 gasp+ & c\gh+4 ,z ! cl\d roll$ on1
 inexorably increas+ 9 d5sity1 x seem$  
lit]ally to grip ! lungs4  ,x fla%$ ov] 
me t already ! eng9e] & fireman _h be5  
ov]come1 ?\gh n be=e ! eng9e] _h be5    
able to /op ! tra94  ,z ! cl\d advanc$1 
! arm$ gu>ds ran f x1 %\t+1 "o n[ & !n  
fall+1 ov]come4 ,= ! mom5t none ( u knew
 :at to d4 ,%\ld we run & des]t ! tra9 =
 :i* we _h d>$ s mu*8 ,to /ay 0 dea?4   
,quickly ,k5n$y pull$ f 8 pocket ! gauze
 arrangem5ts he _h _h 9 8 h& t morn+ j z
 ,miss ,eu/on's knock _h int]rupt$ 8    
conv]sation ) me4 ,hurri$ly he %ov$ "o  
into ,miss ,eu/on's h&s1 !n to ,lane1 !n
 to me1 & to ! gu>d :o 0 ) u4  ,wet !m6 
he cri$1 z he fitt$ 8 own ov] 8 nose &  
/agg]$ to a wat]-cool]4  ,:at is x8 ,i  
gasp$1 ho>sely1 z we all imitat$ 8 e    
action4  ,*lor9 gas1 he rasp$ back1 !   
same gas t ov]came ,granville ,b>nes4   
,^! masks are impregnat$ ) a glyc]9     
solution ( sodium phosphate4 ,x 0 *lor9 
t de/roy$ ! r$ color+ matt] 9 ,b>nes's  
blood4 ,no wond]1 :5 ?is action ( j a   

:iff ( x on u is s rapid4 ,ev5 a %ort "t
 long] & dea? w\ld foll[4 ,x de/roys )\t
 ! possibility ( recon/itution1 & x     
leaves a dang]\s deposit ( album94 ,h[ d
 y feel8  ,all "r1 ,i li$4  ,we look$   
out aga94 ,! ?+s t look$ l fuses 7 n    
bombs1 z ,i _h expect$1 b big re9=c$    
bottles ( gas compress$ at high         
pressure1 ) ! taps op54 ,! supply 0 n   
inexhau/ible4 ,9 fact1 x 0 decid$ly     
limit$4 ,b x seem$ to h be5 calculat$ to
 a nicety to d ! "w4 ,only ! pant+ ( !  
locomotive n[ broke ! /illness z ,k5n$y 
& ,i mov$ =w>d along ! track4  ,crack6  
rang out a %ot4  ,get on ! o!r side ( ! 
tra9--quick6 ord]$ ,craig4  ,9 ! %ad[1  
aside f ! direction 9 :i* ! w9d 0 waft+ 
! gas1 we c\ld n[ j b>ely disc]n a heavy
 b p[]ful motor-truck & figures mov+    
ab\t x4 ,z ,i pe]$ out f ! %elt] ( !    
tra91 ,i realiz$ :at x all meant4 ,!    
truck1 :i* _h probably convey$ !        
gas-tanks f ! r5dezv\s :]e !y _h be5    
collect$1 0 !re n[ to convey to "s d>k  
:>f :at ( ! treasure c\ld be seiz$4 ,!re

 ! /ol5 ya*t 0 wait+ to c>ry x (f4      
,don't move--don't fire1 caution$       
,k5n$y4 ,p]haps !y w ?9k x 0 only a %ad[
 !y saw4 ,let !m act fir/4 ,!y mu/4 ,!y 
hav5't any too mu* "t4 ,let !m get      
impati5t4  ,= "s m9utes we wait$4  ,sure
 en\gh1 sep>at$ widely1 b conv]g+ t[>d !
 treasure-tra9 at la/1 we c\ld see      
sev]al d>k figures mak+ _! way f ! road 
across a /rip ( field & ov] ! rails4 ,i 
made a move ) my gun4  ,don't1 :isp]$   
,k5n$y4 ,let !m get toge!r4  ,8 ruse 0  
clev]4 ,evid5tly !y ?\ght t x _h be5    
inde$ a wrai? at :i* !y _h fir$4        
,swiftly n[ !y hurri$ to ! ne>e/ ( !    
gold-lad5 c>s4 ,we c\ld he> !m1 break+ 9
 :]e ! gu>ds _h ei!r be5 r5d]$          
unconsci\s or _h fl$4  ,i look$ ar\nd at
 ,maude ,eu/on4 ,%e 0 ! calme/ ( u all z
 %e :isp]$3  ,!y are 9 ! c>4 ,c't we ,,d
 some?+8  ,lane1 :isp]$ ,k5n$y1 crawl   
?r\gh "u ! trucks ) me4 ,walt]1 & y1    
,dugan1 he add$1 to ! gu>d1 g d[n ! o!r 
side4 ,we mu/ ru% !m--9 ! c>4  ,z ,k5n$y
 crawl$ "u ! tra9 aga9 ,i saw ,maude    

,eu/on foll[ ,lane closely4  ,h[ x      
happ5$ ,i _c describe1 = ! simple reason
 t ,i don't rememb]4 ,i "k t x 0 a %ort1
 %>p da%1 t ! fight 0 a fight ( fi/s 9  
:i* guns 7 dis*>g$ wildly 9 ! air aga9/ 
! w ( ! gunn]4 ,b f ! mom5t :5 ,k5n$y's 
voice rang out 9 ! door1 ,h&s up6 to !  
"t t ,i saw t we _h ! robb]s l9$ up ) _!
 backs aga9/ ! heavy cases ( ! preci\s  
metal = :i* !y _h plann$ & risk$ s mu*1 
x is a blank ( grim dea?-/ruggle4  ,i   
rememb] my surprise at see+ "o ( !m a   
woman1 & ,i ?\ght ,i mu/ be mi/ak54 ,i  
look$ ab\t4 ,no2 !re 0 ,maude ,eu/on /&+
 j beside ,lane4  ,i ?9k x mu/ h be5 t  
:i* recall$ me & made me realize t x 0 a
 reality & n a dream4 ,! two wom5 /ood  
gl>+ at ea* o!r4  ,! woman 9 ! tea-room6
 exclaim$ ,miss ,eu/on4 ,x 0 ab\t       
?is--robb]y--!n1 t ,i he>d y talk+ ! o!r
 aft]noon4  ,i look$ at ! face be=e me4 
,x 01 _h be51 a h&some face4 ,b n[ x 0  
cold & h>d1 ) t he>tless expression ( ! 
adv5turess4 ,! m5 seem$ to take _!      
plight h>d4 ,b1 z %e look$ into ! cle>1 

gray eyes ( ! o!r woman1 ! adv5turess   
seem$ to ga9 r ?an lose 9 defiance4     
,robb]y8 %e repeat$1 bitt]ly4 ,?is is   
only a beg9n+4  ,a beg9n+4 ,:at d y     
mean8  ,x 0 ,lane :o spoke4 ,sl[ly %e   
turn$ t[>d him4  ,y "k well en\gh :at ,i
 mean4  ,! implication t %e int5d$ 0    
cle>4 ,%e _h address$ ! rem>k to him1 b 
x 0 a /ab at ,maude ,eu/on4  ,i "k only 
:at y want$ me to d--& ,i refus$4 ,is   
!re m /ill8  ,i wond]$ :e!r ,lane c\ld  
really h be5 involv$4  ,quick--:at ,,d y
 mean8 dem&$ ,k5n$y1 au?oritatively4  ,!
 woman turn$ to him3  ,suppose ?is news 
( ! robb]y is out8 ,:at w happ58 ,d y   
want me to tell y1 "y lady8 %e add$1    
turn+ aga9 to ,maude ,eu/on4 ,i'll tell 
y4 ,! /ock ( ! ,cont95tal ,express      
,company w fall l a h\se ( c>ds4 ,& !n8 
,^? :o h sold x at ! top price w buy x  
back aga9 at ! bottom4 ,! company is    
s\nd4 ,! depression w n la/--p]haps w be
 ov] 9 a day1 a week1 a mon?4 ,!n !     
op]ators c s5d x up aga94 ,don't y see8 
,x is ! old me?od ( manipulation 9 a new

 =m4 ,x is a w>-/ock gamble4 ,o!r /ocks 
w be affect$ ! same way4 ,?is is our    
rew>d--:at we c get out ( x by play+ ?is
 game = :i* ! mat]ials are furni%$ free4
 ,we h play$ x--& lo/4 ,! manipulators w
 get _! rew>d on ! /ock-m>ket ?is morn+4
 ,b !y mu/ /ill reckon ) u--ev5 if we h 
lo/4 ,%e said x ) a sort ( grim humor4  
,& y h put ,granville ,b>nes out ( !    
way1 fir/8 ,i ask$1 rememb]+ ! *lor94   
,%e laugh$ %rilly4  ,t 0 an accid5t--8  
own c>elessness4 ,he 0 c>ry+ a tank ( x 
= u4 ,only 8 *auffeur's pres5ce ( m9d 9 
?r[+ x into ! %rubb]y by ! road sav$ 8  
life & reputation4 ,no1 "y man2 he 0 "o 
( ! manipulators1 too4 ,b ! *ief ( !m   
0-- ,%e paus$ z if to enjoy "o brief    
mom5t ( triumph at lea/4 ,! presid5t ( !
 company1 %e add$4  ,no1 no1 no6 cri$   
,maude ,eu/on4  ,yes1 yes1 yes6 ,he does
 n d>e d5y x4 ,!y 7 all 9 x4  ,mrs4     
,labret--y lie6 t[]$ ,lane1 9 a surg+   
passion1 z he /epp$ =w>d & %ook 8 f+] at
 h]4 ,y lie & y "k x4 ,!re is an old    
say+ ab\t ! fury ( a woman scorn$4 ,%e  

paid no att5tion to him :atev]4  ,maude 
,eu/on1 %e hiss$1 z ?\gh ,lane _h be5 z 
in>ticulate z ! boxes ( gold ab\t1 y h  
sav$ y\r lov]'s reputation--p]haps4 ,at 
lea/ ! %ipm5t is safe4 ,b y h ru9$ y\r  
fa!r4 ,! deal w g ?r\gh4 ,already t has 
be5 arrang$4 ,y may z well tell ,k5n$y  
to let u g & let ! ?+ g ?r\gh4 ,x       
involves m ?an u4  ,k5n$y _h be5 /&+    
back a bit1 c>efully keep+ !m all cov]$4
 ,he glanc$ a mom5t out ( ! corn] ( 8   
eye at ,maude ,eu/on1 b said no?+4  ,x 0
 a t]rible situation4 ,_h ,lane really  
be5 9 x8 ,t "q 0 ov]%ad[$ by ! m5tion ( 
h] fa!r4 ,impulsively %e turn$ to       
,craig4  ,oh1 save him6 %e cri$4 ,c't   
any?+ be done to save my fa!r 9 spite ( 
himself8  ,x is too late1 mock$ ,mrs4   
,labret4 ,p w read ! acc\nt ( ! robb]y 9
 ! pap]s1 ev5 if x didn't take place4   
,!y w see x be=e !y see a d5ial4 ,ord]s 
w flood 9 to sell ! /ock4 ,no2 x c't be 
/opp$4  ,k5n$y glanc$ mom5t>ily at me4  
,is !re /ill "t to cat* ! la/ morn+     
edition ( ! ,/>1 ,walt]8 he ask$1       

quietly4 ,i glanc$ at my wat*4  ,we may 
try4 ,x's possible4  ,write a           
despat*--an accid5t to ! eng9e--tra9    
delay$--n[ proce$+--any?+4 ,"h1 ,dugan1 
y keep !m cov]$4 ,%oot to kill if !re's 
a move4  ,k5n$y _h begun fev]i%ly sett+ 
up ! "p ( ! app>atus :i* he _h br\ght   
aft] ,:it+ _h set up 84  ,:at c y d8    
hiss$ ,mrs4 ,labret4 ,y c't get ^w      
?r\gh4 ,ord]s h be5 issu$ t ! telegraph 
op]ators are "u no circum/ances to give 
out news ab\t ?is tra94 ,! wireless is  
out ( commission1 too--! op]ator        
ov]come4 ,! robb]y /ory has be5 prep>$ &
 giv5 out by ?is "t4 ,already report]s  
are be+ assign$ to foll[ x up4  ,i look$
 ov] at ,k5n$y4 ,if ord]s _h be5 giv5 = 
su* secrecy by ,b>ry ,eu/on1 h[ c\ld my 
despat* d any good8 ,x w\ld be held back
 by ! op]ators4  ,craig quickly slung a 
wire ov] ^? by ! side ( ! track & seiz$ 
:at ,i _h writt51 s5d+ furi\sly4  ,:at  
are y do+8 ,i ask$4 ,y he>d :at %e said4
  ,"o ?+ y c be c]ta9 (1 he answ]$1 t   
despat* c nev] be /ol5 or tapp$ by      

spies4  ,:y--:at is ?is8 ,i ask$1 po9t+ 
to ! in/rum5t4  ,! inv5tion ( ,major    
,squi]1 ( ! army1 he repli$1 by :i* any 
numb] ( messages may be s5t at ! same "t
 ov] ! same wire )\t ! slighte/         
conflict4 ,really x consi/s 9 mak+      
wireless electric waves travel along1   
in/ead ( inside1 ! wire4 ,9 o!r words1  
he _h discov]$ ! means ( conc5trat+ !   
en]gy ( a wireless wave on a giv5 po9t  
in/ead ( lett+ x riot all ov] ! face ( !
 e>?4  ,x is ! pr9ciple ( wireless4 ,b 9
 ord9>y wireless less ?an "o-million? "p
 ( ! orig9al s5d+ =ce rea*es ! po9t =   
:i* x is int5d$4 ,! re/ is scatt]$ ?r\gh
 space 9 all directions4 ,if !          
vibrations ( a curr5t are ( a c]ta9     
numb] p] second1 ! curr5t w foll[ a wire
 to :i* x is1 z x 71 atta*$1 in/ead (   
pass+ (f into space4  ,all ! en]gy 9    
wireless =m]ly wa/$ 9 radiation 9 e     
direction n[ devotes itself solely to   
driv+ ! curr5t ?r\gh ! e!r ab\t ! wire4 
,?us x goes until x rea*es ! po9t :]e   
,:it+ is--:]e ! vibrations correspond to

 its own & are 9 tune4 ,!re x reproduces
 ! s5d+ impulse4 ,x is wir$ wireless4   
,craig _h long s9ce f9i%$ s5d+ 8 wir$   
wireless message4 ,we wait$ impati5tly4 
,! seconds seem$ to drag l h\rs4  ,f>   
(f1 n[1 we c\ld he> a :i/le z a tra9    
f9ally approa*$ sl[ly into our block1   
creep+ up to see :at 0 wrong4 ,b t made 
no diff]5ce n[4 ,x 0 n any help !y c\ld 
give u t we want$4 ,a great] problem1 ! 
sav+ ( "o man's "n & ! re-e/abli%m5t (  
ano!r1 confront$ u4  ,unexpect$ly !     
little wir$ wireless in/rum5t be=e u    
began to buzz4 ,quickly ,k5n$y seiz$ a  
p5cil & wrote z ! message t no h& ( man 
c\ld int]f]e ) 0 fla%$ back to u4  ,x is
 = y1 ,walt]1 f ! ,/>1 he said1 simply  
h&+ me :at he _h writt5 on ! back ( an  
old envelope4  ,i read1 almo/ afraid to 
read3  ,robb]y /ory kill$4 ,black type  
across page-head la/ edition1           
,treasure-tra9 safe6      ,mc,g,r,a,t,h4
  ,%[ x to ,miss ,eu/on1 ,craig add$1   
simply1 ga!r+ up 8 wir$ wireless set1 j 
z ! crew f ! tra9 beh9d u ran up4 ,%e   

may l to "k t %e has sav$ h] fa!r f     
himself ?r\gh misund]/&+ h] lov]4  ,i   
?\ght ,maude ,eu/on w\ld fa9t z %e      
clut*$ ! message4 ,lane caught h] z %e  
reel$ backw>d4  ,rodman--c y--=give me8 
%e murmur$1 simply1 yield+ to him &     
look+ up into 8 face4     ,,ii  ,,!     
,,tru? ,,detector   ,y hav5't he>d--no  
"o outside has he>d--( ! /range illness 
& ! robb]y ( my employ]1 ,mr4           
,mansfield--',diamond ,jack' ,mansfield1
 y "k4  ,our visitor 0 a slight1 v      
pretty1 b extremely n]v\s girl1 :o _h   
giv5 u a c>d be>+ ! "n ,miss ,hel5      
,grey4  ,illness--robb]y8 repeat$       
,k5n$y1 at once int]e/$ & turn+ a quick 
glance at me4  ,i %rugg$ my %\ld]s 9 !  
negative4 ,nei!r ! ,/> nor any ( ! o!r  
pap]s _h _h a ^w ab\t x4  ,:y1 :at's !  
tr\ble8 he cont9u$ to ,miss ,grey4  ,y  
see1 %e expla9$1 hurry+ on1 ,i'm ,mr4   
,mansfield's private secret>y1 &--oh1   
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 ,i don't "k1 b ,i'm   
afraid x is a case = a detective r ?an a
 doctor4 ,%e paus$ a mom5t & lean$ =w>d 

ne>] to u4 ,i ?9k he has be5 poison$6   
,! words !mselves 7 />tl+ en\gh )\t !   
evid5t p]turbation ( ! girl4 ,:atev] "o 
might ?9k1 !re 0 no d\bt t %e firmly    
believ$ :at %e pr(ess$ to fe>4 ,m ?an t1
 ,i fanci$ ,i detect$ a deep] feel+ 9 h]
 tone ?an m]ely loyalty to h] employ]4  
,diamond ,jack ,mansfield 0 kn[n 9 ,wall
 ,/reet z a successful promot]1 on !    
,:ite ,way z an assidu\s fir/-night]1 9 
! sport+ frat]nity z a ke5 plung]4 ,b ( 
all 8 hobbies1 none _h ga9$ him m       
notoriety ?an 8 v]itable passion =      
collect+ diamonds4  ,he came by 8       
sobriquet hone/ly4 ,i rememb]$ once hav+
 se5 him1 & he 01 9 fact1 a walk+ ,de   
,be]s m9e4 ,= 8 p]sonal adornm5t1 m ?an 
a million doll>s' wor? ( gems did relay 
duty4 ,he _h scores ( sets1 e "o ( !m   
fit = a k+ ( diamonds4 ,x 0 a curi\s    
hobby = a great1 /rong man1 yet he 0 n  
alone 9 8 love ( & %e] affection = ?+s  
beautiful4 ,n love ( display or desire  
to attract notice to himself _h prompt$ 
him to collect diamonds1 b ! m]e        

pleasure ( own+ !m1 ( associat+ ) !m4 ,x
 0 a hobby4  ,x 0 n /range1 !re=e1 to   
suspect t ,mansfield might1 aft] all1 h 
be5 ! victim ( "s k9d ( attack4 ,he w5t 
ab\t ) p]fect fre$om1 9 spite ( ! k t   
crooks mu/ h possess$ ab\t 8 ho>d4  ,:at
 makes y ?9k he has be5 poison$8 ask$   
,k5n$y1 betray+ no %[ ( d\bt t ,miss    
,grey might be "r4  ,oh1 x's s /range1 s
 sudd56 %e murmur$4  ,b h[ d y ?9k x    
c\ld h happ5$8 he p]si/$4  ,x mu/ h be5 
at ! little supp]-p>ty he gave at 8     
ap>tm5t la/ night1 %e answ]$1           
?\ghtfully1 !n add$1 m sl[ly1 & yet1 x 0
 n until ?is morn+1 eight or t5 h\rs    
aft] ! p>ty1 t he became ill4 ,%e       
%udd]$4 ,p>oxysms ( nausea1 foll[$ by   
/upor & su* t]rible pro/ration4 ,8 valet
 discov]$ him & s5t = ,doctor ,murray--&
 !n = me4  ,h[ ab\t ! robb]y8 prompt$   
,k5n$y1 z x became evid5t t x 0         
,mansfield's physical condition m ?an   
any?+ else t 0 on ,miss ,grey's m9d4    
,oh yes--%e recall$ h]self--,i suppose y
 "k some?+ ( 8 gems8 ,mo/ p d4 ,k5n$y   

nodd$4 ,he usually keeps !m 9 a         
safe-deposit vault d[nt[n1 f :i* he w   
get :atev] set he feels l we>+4 ,la/    
night x 0 ! "o he calls 8 sport+-set t  
he wore1 by f> ! f9e/4 ,x co/ ov] a     
hundr$ ?\s& doll>s1 & is "o ( ! mo/     
curi\s ( all ! /udies 9 p]sonal adornm5t
 t he owns4 ,all ! /ones are ( ! pure/  
blue-:ite & ! set is entirely bas$ on   
plat9um4  ,b :at makes x mo/ rem>kable  
is t x conta9s ! fam\s ,m-#abgc1 z he   
calls x4 ,! ,m /&s = ,mansfield1 & !    
figures repres5t ! numb] ( /ones he _h  
pur*as$ up to ! "t t he acquir$ ?is huge
 "o4  ,h[ c\ld !y h be5 tak51 d y ?9k8  
v5tur$ ,k5n$y4 ,miss ,grey %ook h] head 
d\btfully4  ,i ?9k ! wall safe mu/ h be5
 op5$ someh[1 %e return$4  ,k5n$y       
me*anically wrote ! numb]1 ,m-#abgc1 on 
a piece ( pap]4  ,x has a weird hi/ory1 
%e w5t on1 obs]v+ :at he _h writt51 &   
?is mammo? blue-:ite diamond 9 ! r+ is z
 blue z ! fam\s ,hope diamond t has     
br\ght mis=tune ?r\gh half ! _w4 ,?is   
/one1 !y say1 0 pri$ f ! m\? ( a dy+    

negro 9 ,s\? ,africa4 ,he _h tri$ to    
smuggle x f ! m9e1 & :5 he 0 caught     
curs$ ! gem & e "o :o ev] %\ld own x4   
,"o own] 9 ,am/]dam fail$2 ano!r 9      
,antw]p committ$ suicide2 a ,russian    
nobleman 0 bani%$ to ,sib]ia1 & ano!r   
w5t bankrupt & lo/ 8 home & family4 ,n[ 
"h x is 9 ,mr4 ,mansfield's life4 ,i--,i
 hate x6 ,i c\ld n tell :e!r x 0 !      
sup]/ition or ! rec5t ev5ts !mselves :i*
 weigh$ mo/ 9 h] m9d1 b1 at any rate1 %e
 resum$1 some:at bitt]ly1 a mom5t lat]3 
,m-#abgc6 ,m is ! ?irte5? lett] ( !     
alphabet1 & #a1 #b1 #g1 #c add up to    
?irte54 ,! fir/ & la/ numb]s make       
?irte51 & ,john ,mansfield has ?irte5   
lett]s 9 8 "n4 ,i wi% he _h nev] worn ! 
?+--nev] b\ght x6  ,! m ,i li/5$ to h] !
 m impress$ ,i 0 ) ! fact t !re 0 some?+
 m "h ?an ! feel+ ( a private secret>y4 
,:o 7 9 ! supp]-p>ty8 ask$ ,k5n$y4  ,he 
gave x = ,madel9e ,h>grave--! pretty    
little actress1 y "k1 :o took ,new ,york
 by /orm la/ season 9 ',! ,sport' & is  
book$1 next week1 to appe> 9 ! new %[1  

',! ,a/or ,cup4'  ,miss ,grey said x1 ,i
 ?\ght1 ) a sort ( wi/ful envy4         
,mansfield's gay little bohemian ga!r+s 
7 well kn[n4 ,?\gh he 0 n "y1 he 0 /ill 
some:at ( a ,lo?>io4  ,:o else 0 !re8   
ask$ ,k5n$y4  ,!n !re 0 ,m9a ,leit*1 a  
memb] ( ,miss ,h>grave's new company1 %e
 w5t on4 ,ano!r 0 ,flem+ ,lewis1 ! ,wall
 ,/reet brok]4 ,doctor ,murray & myself 
complet$ ! p>ty4  ,doctor ,murray is 8  
p]sonal physician8 v5tur$ ,craig4  ,yes4
 ,y "k :5 ,mr4 ,mansfield's /oma* w5t   
back on him la/ ye> x 0 ,doctor ,murray 
:o really cur$ him4  ,k5n$y nodd$4      
,might ?is pres5t tr\ble be a recurr5ce 
( ! old tr\ble8  ,%e %ook h] head4 ,no2 
?is is entirely diff]5t4 ,oh1 ,i wi% t y
 c\ld g ) me & see him6 %e plead$4  ,i  
w1 agre$ ,k5n$y4  ,a mom5t lat] we 7    
spe$+ 9 a taxicab ov] to ! ap>tm5t4     
,really1 %e rem>k$1 n]v\sly1 ,i feel lo/
 ) ,mr4 ,mansfield s ill4 ,he has s _m  
int]e/s d[nt[n t require con/ant        
att5tion t j ! loss ( "t means a great  
deal4 ,( c\rse1 ,i und]/& _m ( !m--b1 y 

"k1 a private secret>y c't conduct a    
man's bus9ess4 ,& j n[1 :5 ,i came up f 
! (fice1 ,i c\ldn't believe t he 0 too  
ill to c>e ab\t ?+s until ,i actually   
saw him4  ,we ent]$ ! ap>tm5t4 ,a m]e   
glance ab\t %[$ t2 ev5 ?\gh ,mansfield's
 hobby 0 diamonds1 he 0 no mean         
collector ( o!r articles ( beauty4 ,9 ! 
big liv+-room1 :i* 0 almo/ l a /udio1 we
 met a tall1 sp>e1 poli%$-mann]$ man1   
:om ,i quickly recogniz$ z ,doctor      
,murray4  ,is he any bett]8 blurt$ out  
,miss ,grey1 ev5 be=e our introductions 
7 ov]4 ,doctor ,murray %ook 8 head      
gravely4  ,ab\t ! same1 he answ]$1 ?\gh 
"o c\ld f9d little reassurance 9 8 tone4
  ,i %\ld l to see him1 h9t$ ,k5n$y1    
unless !re is "s real reason :y ,i %\ld 
n4  ,no1 repli$ ! doctor1 abs5tly2 on ! 
contr>y1 x might p]haps r\se him4  ,he  
l$ ! way d[n ! hall1 & ,k5n$y & ,i      
foll[$1 :ile ,miss ,grey attempt$ to    
busy h]self ov] "s affairs at a huge    
mahogany table 9 ! libr>y j (f !        
liv+-room4  ,mansfield _h %[n ! same    

love ( luxury & ! biz>re ev5 9 ! furni%+
 ( 8 b$room1 :i* 0 a black-&-:ite room )
 furniture ( ,*9ese lacqu] & teakwood4  
,k5n$y look$ at ! vet]an plung] long &  
?\ghtfully z he lay /ret*$ out1 li/less1
 on ! h&some b$4 ,mansfield seem$       
completely indiff]5t to our pres5ce4    
,!re 0 some?+ uncanny ab\t him4 ,already
 8 face 0 %runk51 8 sk9 d>k1 & 8 eyes 7 
holl[4  ,:at d y suppose x is8 ask$     
,k5n$y1 b5d+ ov] him1 & !n ris+ & av]t+ 
8 head s t ,mansfield c\ld n he>1 ev5 if
 8 vagrant faculties %\ld be attract$4  
,8 pulse is t]ribly weak & 8 he>t       
sc>cely makes a s\nd4  ,doctor ,murray's
 face knit 9 deep l9es4  ,i'm afraid1 he
 said1 9 a l[ tone1 t ,i w h to admit n 
hav+ be5 able to diagnose ! tr\ble1 ,i 0
 j consid]+ :om ,i might call 94  ,:at h
 y done8 ask$ ,k5n$y1 z ! two mov$ a    
little f>!r out ( e>-%ot ( ! pati5t4    
,well1 repli$ ! doctor1 sl[ly1 :5 8     
valet call$ me 91 ,i mu/ admit t my fir/
 impression 0 t ,i _h to deal ) a case (
 diph!ria4 ,i 0 s impress$ t ,i ev5 took

 a blood sme> & exam9$ x4 ,x %[$ !      
pres5ce ( a tox album94 ,b x isn't      
diph!ria4 ,! antitox9 has _h no effect4 
,no2 x isn't diph!ria4 ,b ! poison is   
!re4 ,i might h ?\ght x 0 *ol]a1 only t 
seems s impossible "h 9 ,new ,york4     
,doctor ,murray look$ at ,k5n$y ) no    
ef=t to conceal 8 p]plexity4 ,ov] & ov] 
,i h ask$ myself :at x c\ld be1 he w5t  
on4 ,x seems to me t ,i h ?\ght ov] ab\t
 ev]y?+ t is possible4 ,always ,i get   
back to ! fact t !re is t tox album9    
pres5t4 ,9 "s respects1 x seems l ! bite
 ( a poison\s animal4 ,!re are no m>ks1 
( c\rse1 & x seems altoge!r impossible1 
yet x acts precisely z ,i h se5 snake   
bites affect p4 ,i am t desp]ate t ,i   
w\ld try ! ,nogu*i antiv55e1 b x w\ld h 
no m effect ?an ! antitox94 ,no2 ,i c   
only conclude t !re is "s n>cotic       
irritant :i* especially affects ! lungs 
& he>t4  ,w y let me h "o ( ! blood     
sme>s8 ask$ ,k5n$y4  ,c]ta9ly1 repli$ ! 
doctor1 rea*+ ov] & tak+ a glass slide f
 sev]al ly+ on a table4  ,= "s "t aft]  

we left ! sick-room ,craig appe>$ to be 
consid]+ :at ,doctor ,murray _h said4   
,seek+ to f9d ,miss ,grey 9 ! libr>y1 we
 f\nd ourselves 9 ! h&some1             
all-wood-panel$ d9+-room4 ,x /ill %[$   
evid5ces ( ! late banquet ( ! night     
be=e4  ,craig paus$ a mom5t 9 d\bt :i*  
way to g1 !n pick$ up f ! table a       
beautifully decorat$ m5u-c>d4 ,z he ran 
8 eye d[n x me*anically1 he paus$4      
,*ampignons1 he rem>k$1 ?\ghtfully4     
,h-m6--mu%rooms4  ,in/ead ( go+ on t[>d 
! libr>y1 he turn$ & pass$ ?r\gh a sw++ 
door into ! kit*54 ,!re 0 no "o !re1 b x
 0 9 a mu* m upset condition ?an !      
d9+-room4  ,p>don1 monsieur1 s\nd$ a    
voice beh9d u4  ,x 0 ! ,fr5* *ef :o _h  
ent]$ f ! direction ( ! s]vants' qu>t]s1
 & 0 n[ all apologies = ! untidy        
appe>ance ( ! realm ov] :i* he presid$4 
,! /ra9 ( ! d9n] _h be5 too mu* = 8     
assi/ants1 he ha/5$ to expla94  ,i see t
 y _h mu%rooms--cream$1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y4  
,oui1 monsieur1 he repli$2 "s t ,miss   
,h>grave h]self s5t 9 f h] mu%room-cell>

 out 9 ! c\ntry4  ,z he said x 8 eye    
travel$ involunt>ily t[>d a pile (      
ramek9s on a table4 ,k5n$y notic$ x &   
delib]ately walk$ ov] to ! table4 ,be=e 
,i knew :at he 0 ab\t he _h scoop$ f !m 
ea* a bit ( ! cont5ts & plac$ x 9 "s    
wax$ pap] t 0 ly+ ne> by4 ,! *ef wat*$  
him curi\sly4  ,y w\ld n f9d my kit*5 l 
?is ord9>ily1 he rem>k$4 ,i w\ld n l to 
h ,doctor ,murray see x1 = s9ce la/ ye>1
 :5 monsieur _h ! bad /oma*1 ,i h be5 v 
c>eful4  ,! *ef seem$ to be n]v\s4  ,y  
prep>$ ! mu%rooms y\rself8 ask$ ,k5n$y1 
sudd5ly4  ,i direct$ my assi/ant1 came  
back ! w>y reply4  ,b y "k good mu%rooms
 :5 y see !m8  ,c]ta9ly1 he repli$1     
quickly4  ,!re 0 no "o else 9 ! kit*5   
:ile y prep>$ !m8  ,yes1 he answ]$1     
hurri$ly2 ,mr4 ,mansfield came 91 &     
,miss ,h>grave4 ,oh1 !y are v p>ticul>6 
,& ,doctor ,murray1 he has giv5 me      
special ord]s ev] s9ce la/ ye>1 :5      
monsieur _h ! bad /oma*1 he repeat$4  ,0
 any "o else "h8  ,yes--,i ?9k s4 ,y    
see1 ,i am s excit$--a big d9n]--su*    

epicures--ev]y?+ mu/ be j s--,i _c say4 
,!re seem$ to be little satisfaction 9  
quizz+ ! *ef1 & ,k5n$y turn$ aga9 into !
 d9+-room1 mak+ 8 way back to ! libr>y1 
:]e ,miss ,grey 0 wait+ anxi\sly = u4   
,:at d y ?9k8 %e ask$1 eag]ly4  ,i don't
 "k :at to ?9k1 repli$ ,k5n$y4 ,no "o   
else has felt any ill effects f ! supp]1
 ,i suppose8  ,no1 %e repli$2 at lea/1  
,i'm sure ,i w\ld h he>d by ?is "t if !y
 _h4  ,d y recall any?+ peculi> ab\t !  
mu%rooms8 %ot out ,k5n$y4  ,we talk$    
ab\t !m "s "t1 ,i rememb]1 %e said1     
sl[ly4 ,gr[+ mu%rooms is "o ( ,miss     
,h>grave's hobbies out at h] place on   
,long ,isl&4  ,yes1 p]si/$ ,k5n$y2 b ,i 
mean any?+ peculi> ab\t ! prep>ation (  
!m4  ,:y1 yes1 %e said1 sudd5ly2 ,i     
believe t ,miss ,h>grave 0 to h         
sup]9t5d$ !m h]self4 ,we all w5t out    
into ! kit*54 ,b x 0 too late4 ,!y _h   
be5 prep>$ already4  ,y 7 all 9 ! kit*58
  ,yes2 ,i rememb]4 ,x 0 be=e ! supp] & 
j aft] we came 9 f ! !at]-p>ty :i* ,mr4 
,mansfield gave4 ,y "k ,mr4 ,mansfield  

is always do+ unconv5tional ?+s l t4 ,if
 he took a notion1 he w\ld g into !     
kit*5 ( ! ,ritz4  ,t is :at ,i 0 try+ to
 get out ( ! *ef--,francois1 rem>k$     
,k5n$y4 ,he didn't seem to h a v cle>   
idea ( :at happ5$4 ,i ?9k ,i'll see him 
aga9--"r away4  ,we f\nd ! *ef busily at
 "w1 n[1 clean+ up4 ,z ,k5n$y ask$ him a
 few inconsequ5tial que/ions1 8 eye     
caught a r[ ( books on a %elf4 ,x 0 a   
mo/ complete libr>y ( ! cul9>y arts4    
,craig select$ "o & turn$ ! pages ov]   
rapidly4 ,!n he came back to !          
frontispiece1 :i* %[$ a model d9n]-table
 set = a numb] ( gue/s4 ,he plac$ !     
picture be=e ,francois1 !n )drew x 91 ,i
 %\ld say1 ab\t t5 seconds4 ,x 0 a      
/range & incompreh5sible action1 b ,i 0 
m surpris$ :5 ,k5n$y add$3  ,n[ tell me 
:at y saw4  ,francois 0 q ov]:elm+ 9 8  
desire to please4 ,j :at 0 go+ on 9 8   
m9d ,i c\ld n guess1 nor did he betray  
x1 b quickly he enum]at$ ! objects on ! 
table1 gradually sl[+ up z ! numb] :i*  
he recollect$ became exhau/$4  ,7 !re   

c&les8 prompt$ ,craig1 z ! fl[ (        
,francois's description ceas$4  ,oh yes1
 c&les1 he agre$1 eag]ly4  ,favors at   
ea* place8  ,yes1 sir4  ,i c\ld see no  
s5se 9 ! proce$+1 yet knew ,k5n$y too   
well to suppose1 = an in/ant1 t he _h n 
"s purpose4  ,! que/ion+ ov]1 ,k5n$y    
)drew1 leav+ poor ,francois m my/ifi$   
?an ev]4  ,well1 ,i exclaim$1 z we pass$
 ?r\gh ! d9+-room1 :at 0 all t8  ,t1 he 
expla9$1 is :at is kn[n to crim9ologi/s 
z ! ',aussage te/4' ,j try x "s "t :5 y 
get a *ance4 ,if !re are1 say1 fifty    
objects 9 a picture1 normally a p]son   
may recall p]haps tw5ty ( !m4  ,i see1  
,i int]rupt$2 a te/ ( memory4  ,m ?an t1
 he repli$4 ,y rememb] t1 at ! end1 ,i  
sugge/$ sev]al ?+s likely to be on !    
table4 ,!y 7 n !re1 z y might h se5 if y
 _h _h ! picture be=e y4 ,t 0 a te/ ( ! 
susceptibility to sugge/ion ( ! *ef4    
,francois may n mean to lie1 b ,i'm     
afraid we'll h to get along )\t him 9   
gett+ to ! bottom ( ! case4 ,y see1 be=e
 we g any fur!r we "k t he is           

unreliable--to say ! lea/4 ,x may be t  
no?+ at all happ5$ 9 ! kit*5 to !       
mu%rooms4 ,we'll nev] discov] x f him4  
,we mu/ get x else:]e4  ,miss ,grey _h  
be5 try+ to /raight5 out "s ( ! sn>ls   
:i* ,mansfield's bus9ess affairs _h got 
into z a result ( 8 illness2 b x 0      
evid5t t %e _h difficulty 9 keep+ h] m9d
 on h] "w4  ,! next ?+ ,i'd l to see1   
ask$ ,k5n$y1 :5 we rejo9$ h]1 is t wall 
safe4 ,%e l$ ! way d[n ! hall & into an 
ante-room to ,mansfield's "p ( ! suite4 
,! safe itself 0 a comp>atively simple  
affair inside a closet4 ,inde$1 ,i d\bt 
:e!r x _h be5 s]i\sly design$ to be     
burgl>-pro(4 ,r x 0 m]ely a protection  
aga9/ fire4  ,h y any suspicion ab\t :5 
! robb]y took place8 ask$ ,k5n$y1 z we  
pe]$ into ! empty comp>tm5t4 ,i wi% ,i  
_h be5 call$ 9 ! fir/ ?+ :5 x 0         
discov]$4 ,!re might h be5 "s *ance to  
discov] f+]pr9ts4 ,b n[1 ,i suppose1 e  
clue ( t sort has be5 oblit]at$4  ,no1  
%e repli$2 ,i don't "k :e!r x happ5$    
be=e or aft] ,mr4 ,mansfield 0 discov]$ 

s ill by 8 valet4  ,b at lea/ y c give  
me "s idea ( :5 ! jewels 7 plac$ 9 !    
safe4  ,x mu/ h be5 be=e ! supp]1 "r    
aft] our return f ! !at]4  ,s8 consid]$ 
,k5n$y4 ,!n t w\ld mean t !y might h be5
 tak5 by any "o1 don't y see8 ,:y did he
 place !m 9 ! safe s soon1 in/ead ( we>+
 !m ! re/ ( ! ev5+8  ,i hadn't ?\ght ( t
 way ( look+ at x1 %e admitt$4 ,:y1 :5  
we came home f ! !at] ,i rememb] x _h   
be5 s w>m t ,mr4 ,mansfield's coll> 0   
wilt$ & 8 dress %irt rumpl$4 ,he excus$ 
himself1 & :5 he return$ he 0 n we>+ !  
diamonds4 ,we notic$ x1 & ,miss ,h>grave
 express$ a wi% t %e might we> ! big    
diamond at ! op5+ night ( ',! ,a/or     
,cup4' ,mr4 ,mansfield promis$ t %e     
might & no?+ m 0 said ab\t x4  ,did y   
notice any?+ else at ! d9n]--no matt] h[
 trivial8 ask$ ,k5n$y4  ,hel5 ,grey     
seem$ to hesitate1 !n said1 9 a l[      
voice1 z ?\gh ! words 7 wrung f h]3  ,( 
c\rse1 ! p>ty & ! supp] 7 giv5 o/5sibly 
to ,miss ,h>grave4 ,b--lately--,i h     
?\ght he 0 pay+ q z mu* att5tion to ,m9a

 ,leit*4  ,x 0 q 9 keep+ ) :at we knew (
 ,diamond ,jack4 ,p]haps x 0 ?is seem+  
fickl5ess :i* _h sav$ him f _m entangl+ 
alliances4 ,miss ,grey said x 9 su* a   
way t x seem$ l an apology = a fault 9 8
 "* :i* %e w\ld r h hidd54 ,i c\ld n b  
fancy t x mitigat$ some:at ! wi/ful envy
 ,i _h notic$ be=e :5 %e spoke (        
,madel9e ,h>grave4  ,:ile he _h be5     
que/ion+ h] ,k5n$y _h be5 exam9+ ! wall 
safe1 p>ticul>ly ) ref]5ce to its       
accessibility f ! re/ ( ! ap>tm5t4 ,!re 
appe>$ to be no reason :y "o c\ld n h   
got at x f ! hallway z well z f         
,mansfield's room4  ,! safe itself seem$
 to yield no clue1 & ,k5n$y 0 ab\t to   
turn away :5 he happ5$ to glance d[n at 
! d>k int]ior ( ! closet floor4 ,he     
/oop$ d[n4 ,:5 he rose he _h some?+ 9 8 
h&4 ,x 0 j a little ?9 piece ( some?+ t 
glitt]$ iridesc5tly4  ,a spangle f a    
sequ9 dress1 he mutt]$ to himself2 !n1  
turn+ to ,miss ,grey1 ,did any "o we>   
su* a dress la/ night8  ,hel5 ,grey     
look$ positively fright5$4 ,miss        

,h>grave6 %e murmur$1 simply4 ,oh1 x _c 
be--!re mu/ be "s mi/ake6  ,j !n we he>d
 voices 9 ! hall4  ,b1 ,murray1 ,i don't
 see :y ,i c't see him1 said "o4  ,:at  
good w x d1 ,lewis8 return$ ! o!r1 :i*  
,i recogniz$ z t ( ,doctor ,murray4     
,flem+ ,lewis1 :isp]$ ,miss ,grey1 tak+ 
a /ep out into ! hallway4  ,a mom5t lat]
 ,doctor ,murray & ,lewis _h jo9$ u4  ,i
 c\ld see t !re 0 "s feel+ betwe5 ! two 
m51 ?\gh :at x 0 ab\t ,i c\ld n say4 ,z 
,miss ,grey introduc$ u1 ,i glanc$      
ha/ily out ( ! corn] ( my eye at ,k5n$y4
 ,involunt>ily 8 h& :i* held ! telltale 
sequ9 _h s\ght 8 wai/coat pocket1 z ?\gh
 to hide x4 ,!n ,i saw him *eck ! action
 & delib]ately exam9e ! piece ( t9sel   
betwe5 8 ?umb & =ef+]4  ,doctor ,murray 
saw x1 too1 & 8 eyes 7 rivet$ on x1 z   
?\gh in/antly he saw its significance4  
,:at d y ?9k--,jack z sick z a dog1 &   
robb$1 too1 & yet ,murray says ,i       
oughtn't to see him6 compla9$ ,lewis1 = 
! mom5t oblivi\s to ! fact t all our    
eyes 7 rivet$ on ! spangle betwe5       

,k5n$y's f+]s4 ,& !n1 sl[ly x seem$ to  
dawn on him :at x 04 ,madel9e's6 he     
exclaim$1 quickly4 ,s ,m9a did te> x1   
aft] all1 :5 %e /epp$ on ! tra94  ,k5n$y
 wat*$ ! faces be=e u ke5ly4 ,no "o said
 any?+4 ,x 0 evid5t t "s su* incid5t _h 
happ5$4 ,b _h ,lewis1 ) a quick fla% (  
g5ius1 s\ght to cov] up some?+1 protect 
somebody8  ,miss ,grey 0 evid5tly anxi\s
 to transf] ! sc5e at lea/ to !         
liv+-room1 away f ! sick-room1 & ,k5n$y1
 see+ x1 fell 9 ) ! idea4  ,looks to me 
z ?\gh ?is robb]y 0 an inside affair1   
rem>k$ ,lewis1 z we all /ood = a mom5t 9
 ! liv+-room4 ,d y suppose "o ( !       
s]vants c\ld h be5 'plant$' = ! purpose 
( pull+ x (f8  ,! idea 0 plausible      
en\gh4 ,yet1 plausible z ! sugge/ion    
might seem1 x took no acc\nt ( ! o!r    
circum/ances ( ! case4 ,i c\ld n believe
 t ! illness ( ,mansfield 0 m]ely an    
un=tunate co9cid5ce4  ,flem+ ,lewis's   
ungu>d$ & blunt t5d5cy to blurt out     
:atev] seem$ upp]mo/ 9 8 m9d soon became
 a /udy to me z we talk$ toge!r 9 !     

liv+-room4 ,i c\ld n q make out :e!r x 0
 /udi$ & a/ute or :e!r x 0 m]ely !      
natural exub]ance ( y\?4 ,!re 0 c]ta9ly 
"s sort ( enmity betwe5 him & ! doctor1 
:i* ! rem>k ab\t ! spangle seem$ to fan 
into a flame4  ,miss ,grey manoeuv]$    
tactfully1 h[ev]1 to prev5t a sc5e4 ,&1 
aft] an int]*ange ( rem>ks t ?rew m heat
 ?an light on ! matt]1 ,k5n$y & ,i      
foll[$ ,lewis out to ! elevator1 ) a    
p>t+ promise to keep 9 t\* ) ,miss      
,grey4  ,:at d y ?9k ( ! spangle8 ,i    
qu]i$ ( ,craig z ,lewis bade u a ha/y   
good-by & climb$ into 8 c> at !         
/reet-entrance4 ,is x a clue or a /all8 
,t rema9s to be se51 he repli$1         
noncommittally4 ,j n[ ! ?+ t int]e/s me 
mo/ is :at ,i c accompli% at !          
laboratory 9 ! way ( f9d+ out :at is !  
matt] ) ,mansfield4  ,:ile ,k5n$y 0 busy
 ) ! v>i\s solutions :i* he made ( !    
cont5ts ( ! ramek9s t _h held !         
mu%rooms1 ,i w&]$ ov] to ! univ]sity    
libr>y & wad$ ?r\gh sev]al volumes on   
fungi )\t le>n+ any?+ ( value4 ,f9ally1 

kn[+ t ,k5n$y w\ld probably be busy = "s
 "t1 & t all ,i %\ld get = my pa9s by   
que/ion+ him w\ld be monosyllabic grunts
 until he 0 q conv9c$ t he 0 on ! trail 
( some?+1 ,i det]m9$ to run into !      
up-t[n (fice ( ! ,/> & talk ov] ! affair
 z well z ,i c\ld )\t violat+ :at ,i    
felt _h be5 giv5 u 9 confid5ce4  ,i c\ld
 n1 x turn$ out1 h done any?+ bett]1 = x
 seem$ to be ! gossip ( ! ,broadway     
cafes & cab>ets t ,mansfield _h be5     
plung+ r deeply lately & _h talk$ _m ( 8
 acqua9tances into jo9+ him 9 a pool1   
ei!r outright or on m>g9s4 ,x seem$ to  
be a safe bet t n only ,lewis & ,doctor 
,murray _h jo9$ him1 b t ,madel9e       
,h>grave & ,m9a ,leit*1 :o _h _h a      
successful season & "s sp>e ?\s&s to    
inve/1 might h gone 91 too4 ,s f> !     
=tunes ( ! /ock-m>ket _h n smil$ on     
,mansfield's s*emes1 &1 ,i reflect$1 x 0
 n impossible t :at might be m]ely an   
incid5t to a man l ,mansfield c\ld be v 
s]i\s to ! re/ ( !m4  ,x 0 ! middle ( ! 
aft]noon :5 ,i return$ to ! laboratory )

 my sl5d] budget ( news4 ,craig 0 q     
int]e/$ 9 :at ,i _h to say1 ev5 paus+ = 
a few mom5ts 9 8 "w to li/54  ,9 sev]al 
cages ,i saw t he _h a numb] ( little   
gu9ea-pigs4 ,"o ( !m 0 pla9ly 9 di/ress1
 & ,k5n$y _h be5 wat*+ him int5tly4     
,x's /range1 he rem>k$4 ,i _h samples ( 
mat]ial f six ramek9s4 ,five ( !m seem  
to h _h no effect :atev]4 ,b if ! bit t 
,i gave ?is fell[ causes su* di/ress1   
:at w\ld a l>g] quantity d8  ,!n "o ( ! 
ramek9s 0 poison$8 ,i que/ion$4  ,i h   
discov]$ 9 x1 z well z 9 ! blood sme>1 !
 tox album9 t ,doctor ,murray m5tion$1  
he said1 simply1 pull+ out 8 wat*4 ,x   
isn't late4 ,i ?9k ,i %all h to take a  
trip out to ,miss ,h>grave's4 ,we ought 
to d x 9 an h\r & a half 9 a c>4  ,k5n$y
 said v little z we sp$ out ov] ! ,long 
,isl& roads t l$ to ! little colony (   
actors & actresses at ,c$> ,grove4 ,he  
seem$ r to be enjoy+ ! *ance to get away
 f ! city & turn ov] 9 8 m9d ! v>i\s    
problems :i* ! case pres5t$4  ,z =      
myself1 ,i _h by ?is "t conv9c$ myself  

t1 someh[1 ! mu%rooms 7 involv$4 ,:at   
,k5n$y expect$ to f9d ,i c\ld n guess4  
,b f :at ,i _h read ,i surmis$ t x mu/  
be t "o ( ! poison\s v>ieties _h someh[ 
got mix$ ) ! o!rs1 "o ( ! ,amanitas1 j z
 deadly z ! v5om ( ! rattl] or !        
copp]head4 ,i knew t1 9 "s cases1       
,amanitas _h be5 us$ to commit crimes4  
,0 ?is su* a case8  ,we _h no tr\ble 9  
f9d+ ! e/ate ( ,miss ,h>grave1 & %e 0 at
 home4  ,k5n$y lo/ no "t introduc+      
himself & com+ to ! po9t ( 8 visit4     
,madel9e ,h>grave 0 a sl5d]1 will[y type
 ( girl1 pron\nc$ly blond1 /rik+1       
precisely ! type ,i %\ld h imag9$ t     
,mansfield w\ld h be5 pr\d to be se5 )4 
,i've j he>d ( ,mr4 ,mansfield's        
illness1 %e said1 anxi\sly4 ,mr4 ,lewis 
call$ me up & told me4 ,i don't see :y  
,miss ,grey or ,doctor ,murray didn't   
let me "k soon]4  ,%e said x ) an air ( 
vexation1 z ?\gh %e felt slight$4 ,9    
spite ( h] evid5t anxiety to "k ab\t !  
trag$y1 h[ev]1 ,i did n detect ! dep? ( 
feel+ t ,hel5 ,grey _h %[n4 ,9 fact1 !  

?\ghtfulness ( ,flem+ ,lewis almo/ l$ me
 to believe t x 0 he1 r ?an ,mansfield1 
= :om %e really c>$4  ,we *att$ a few   
m9utes1 z ,k5n$y told :at little we _h  
discov]$4 ,he said no?+ ab\t ! spangle4 
,by ! way1 rem>k$ ,craig1 at l5g?1 ,i   
w\ld v mu* l to h a look at t fam\s     
mu%room-cell> ( y\rs4  ,= ! fir/ "t %e  
seem$ mom5t>ily to lose h] poise4  ,i've
 always _h a great int]e/ 9 mu%rooms1 %e
 expla9$1 ha/ily4 ,y--y d n ?9k x c\ld  
be ! mu%rooms--t h caus$ ,mr4           
,mansfield's illness1 d y8  ,k5n$y pass$
 (f ! rem>k z be/ he c\ld "u !          
circum/ances4 ,?\gh %e 0 n satisfi$ ) 8 
answ]1 %e c\ld n v well refuse 8 reque/1
 & a few m9utes lat] we 7 d[n 9 ! d>k   
dampness ( ! cell> back ( ! h\se1 :]e   
,k5n$y set to "w on a mo/ exhau/ive     
se>*4  ,i c\ld see by ! expression on 8 
face1 z 8 se>* progress$1 t he 0 n f9d+ 
:at he _h expect$4 ,cle>ly1 ! fungi be=e
 u 7 ! common edible mu%rooms4 ,! upp]  
side ( ea*1 z he exam9$ x1 0 :ite1 )    
br[ni% fibrils1 or scales4 ,und]nea?1 "s

 7 a beautiful salmon-p9k1 *ang+        
gradually to almo/ black 9 ! old]       
specim5s4 ,! /em 0 color$ l ! top4 ,b   
se>* z he might = :at ,i knew he 0 aft]1
 9 none did he f9d any?+ b a small or m 
(t5 no swell+ at ! base1 & no cup1 z x  
is call$4  ,z he rose aft] 8 ?or\gh     
se>*1 ,i saw t he 0 completely baffl$4  
,i h>dly ?\ght y'd f9d any?+1 ,miss     
,h>grave rem>k$1 notic+ ! look on 8     
face4 ,i've always be5 v c>eful ( my    
mu%rooms4  ,y h c]ta9ly succe$$         
admirably1 he complim5t$4  ,i hope y w  
let me "k h[ ,mr4 ,mansfield is1 %e     
said1 z we />t$ back t[>d our c> on !   
road4 ,i c't tell y h[ ,i feel4 ,to ?9k 
t1 aft] a p>ty :i* he gave = me1 he %\ld
 be tak5 ill1 & n only t b be robb$ at !
 same "t6 ,really1 y mu/ let me "k--or  
,i %all h to come up to ! city4  ,x     
seem$ gratuit\s = ,k5n$y to promise1 =  
,i knew t he 0 by no means ?r\gh ) h]   
yet2 b %e ?ank$ him1 & we turn$ back    
t[>d t[n4  ,well1 ,i rem>k$1 z we reel$ 
(f ! miles quickly1 ,i mu/ say t t puts 

me all at sea aga94 ,i _h conv9c$ myself
 t x 0 a case ( mu%room poison+4 ,:at c 
y d n[8  ,d8 he e*o$4 ,:y1 g on4 ,?is   
puts u a /ep ne>] ! tru?1 t's all4  ,f> 
f be+ disc\rag$ at :at _h seem$ to me to
 be a fatal bl[ to ! !ory1 he n[ seem$  
to be actually enc\rag$4 ,back 9 ! city1
 he lo/ no "t 9 gett+ to ! laboratory   
aga94  ,a package f ! botanical dep>tm5t
 ( ! univ]sity 0 wait+ !re = ,k5n$y1 b  
be=e he c\ld op5 x ! telephone buzz$    
furi\sly4  ,i c\ld ga!r f ,k5n$y's words
 t x 0 ,hel5 ,grey4  ,i %all be ov]     
imm$iately1 he promis$1 z he hung up !  
receiv] & turn$ to me4 ,mansfield is mu*
 worse4 ,:ile ,i get toge!r "s mat]ial  
,i mu/ take ov] !re1 ,walt]1 ,i want y  
to call up ,miss ,h>grave & tell h] to  
/>t = ! city "r away--meet u at         
,mansfield's4 ,!n get ,m9a ,leit* &     
,lewis4 ,y'll f9d _! numb]s 9 ! book--or
 else y'll h to get !m f ,miss ,grey4   
,:ile ,i 0 deliv]+ ! messages z         
diplomatically z possible ,k5n$y _h tak5
 a vial f a m$ic9e-*e/1 & !n f a cab9et 

a ma*9e :i* seem$ to consi/ ( a numb] ( 
coll>s & belts fa/5$ to black cyl9d]s f 
:i* ran tubes4 ,an upright roll ( rul$  
pap] support$ by a clockwork arrangem5t 
= revolv+ x1 & a /&>d be>+ a record+ p51
 complet$ ! outfit4  ,i %\ld mu* h      
pref]r$ n be+ hurri$1 he confess$1 z we 
da%$ ov] 9 ! c> to ,mansfield's aga91   
be>+ ! sev]al packages4 ,i want$ to h a 
*ance to int]view ,m9a ,leit* alone4    
,h[ev]1 x has n[ become a matt] ( life  
or dea?4  ,miss ,grey 0 pale & worn z %e
 met u 9 ! liv+-room4  ,he's _h a       
s9k+-spell1 %e said1 tremul\sly4 ,doctor
 ,murray manag$ to br+ him ar\nd1 b he  
seems s mu* weak] aft] x4 ,ano!r might--
 ,%e broke (f1 unable to f9i%4  ,a      
glance at ,mansfield 0 en\gh to conv9ce 
any "o t unless some?+ 0 done soon ! end
 0 n f>4  ,ano!r convulsion & s9k+-spell
 is ab\t all he c /&1 rem>k$ ,doctor    
,murray4  ,may ,i try some?+8 ask$      
,k5n$y1 h>dly wait+ = ! doctor to agree 
be=e he _h pull$ out ! little vial :i*  
,i _h se5 him place 9 8 pocket4  ,deftly

 ,k5n$y inject$ "s ( ! cont5ts into     
,mansfield's side1 !n /ood anxi\sly     
wat*+ ! effect4 ,! m9utes l5g!n$4 ,at   
lea/ he seem$ to be gr[+ no worse4  ,9 !
 next room1 on a table1 ,k5n$y 0 n[ busy
 sett+ out ! scroll ( rul$ pap] & its   
clockwork arrangem5t1 & connect+ ! v>i\s
 tubes f ! black cyl9d]s 9 su* a way t !
 record+ p5 j b>ely t\*$ on ! scroll4   
,he _h come back to note ! /ill un*ang$ 
condition ( ! pati5t :5 ! door op5$ & a 
h&some woman 9 ! e>ly ?irties ent]$1    
foll[$ by ,hel5 ,grey4 ,x 0 ,m9a ,leit*4
  ,oh1 isn't x t]rible6 ,i c h>dly      
believe x6 %e cri$1 pay+ no att5tion to 
u z %e mov$ ov] to ,doctor ,murray4  ,i 
recall$ :at ,miss ,grey _h said ab\t    
,mansfield's att5tions4 ,x 0 evid5t t1 z
 f> z ,m9a 0 conc]n$1 h] own att5tions 7
 monopoliz$ by ! poli%$ physician4 ,8   
mann] 9 greet+ h] told me t ,doctor     
,murray appreciat$ x4 ,j !n ,flem+      
,lewis bu/l$ 94  ,i ?\ght ,miss ,h>grave
 0 "h1 he said1 abruptly1 look+ ab\t4   
,!y told me ov] ! wire %e w\ld be4  ,%e 

%\ld be "h any mom5t1 return$ ,k5n$y1   
look+ at 8 wat* & f9d+ t consid]ably ov]
 an h\r _h elaps$ s9ce ,i _h telephon$4 
,:at x 0 ,i c\ld n say1 b !re 0 a       
coldness t[>d ,lewis t am\nt$ to m ?an  
lat5t ho/ility4 ,he tri$ to appe> at    
ease1 b x 0 a decid$ ef=t4 ,!re 0 no    
mi/ak+ 8 relief :5 ! t5sion 0 brok5 by !
 arrival ( ,madel9e ,h>grave4  ,!       
circum/ances 7 s /range t none ( !m     
seem$ to object :ile ,k5n$y began to    
expla91 briefly1 t1 z ne>ly z he c\ld   
det]m9e1 ! illness ( ,mansfield might be
 due to some?+ eat5 at ! supp]4 ,z he   
atta*$ ! b&s ab\t ! necks & wai/s ( "o  
aft] ano!r ( ! gue/s1 br++ ! little     
black cyl9d]s ?us close to ! middle ( _!
 *e/s1 he contriv$ to convey !          
impression t he w\ld l to det]m9e :e!r  
any "o else _h be5 affect$ 9 a less]    
degree4  ,i wat*$ mo/ int5tly ! two wom5
 :o _h j come 94 ,"o w\ld c]ta9ly n h   
detect$ f _! greet+ & outw>d mann] any?+
 m ?an t !y 7 well acqua9t$4 ,b !y 7 an 
int]e/+ /udy1 two q opposite types4     

,madel9e1 ) h] baby-blue eyes1 0 ( !    
type t crav$ admiration4 ,m9a's black   
eyes fla%$ n[ & !n imp]i\sly1 z ?\gh %e 
s\ght to compel :at ! o!r s\ght to w94  
,z = ,flem+ ,lewis1 ,i c\ld n fail to   
notice t he 0 mo/ att5tive to ,madel9e1 
?\gh he wat*$1 furtively1 b none ! less 
ke5ly1 e movem5t & ^w ( ,m9a4  ,8       
prep>ations complet$1 ,k5n$y op5$ !     
package :i* _h be5 left at ! laboratory 
j be=e ! ha/y call f ,miss ,grey4 ,z he 
did s he disclos$ sev]al specim5s ( a   
mu%room ( pale-lemon color1 ) a c5t] (  
deep orange1 ! top fleck$ ) :ite bits4  
,und]nea?1 ! gills 7 :ite & ! /em _h a  
sort ( veil ab\t x4 ,b :at int]e/$ me   
mo/1 & :at ,i 0 look+ =1 0 ! rema9s ( a 
sort ( dirty1 *ocolate-color$ cup at !  
base ( ! /em4  ,i suppose !re is sc>cely
 any ne$ ( say+1 began ,k5n$y1 t ! food 
:i* ,i suspect 9 ?is case is ! mu%rooms4
 ,"h ,i h "s :i* ,i h =tunately be5 able
 to obta9 m]ely to illu/rate :at ,i am  
go+ to say4 ,?is is ! deadly ,amanita   
musc>ia1 ! fly-ag>ic4  ,madel9e ,h>grave

 seem$ to be foll[+ him ) a peculi>     
fasc9ation4  ,?is ,amanita1 resum$      
,k5n$y1 has a long hi/ory1 & ,i may say 
t few species are q s int]e/+4 ,mac]at$ 
9 milk1 x has be5 employ$ = c5turies z a
 fly-poison1 h5ce its "n4 ,its deadly   
prop]ties 7 kn[n to ! anci5ts1 & x is   
ju/ly celebrat$ because ( its long &    
di/+ui%$ li/ ( victims4 ,agripp9a us$ x 
to poison ! ,emp]or ,claudius4 ,among   
o!rs1 ! ,cz> ,alexis ( ,russia di$ (    
eat+ x4  ,i h he>d t "s p f9d x only a  
n>cotic1 & x is said t 9 ,sib]ia !re are
 actually ,amanita debau*ees :o g on    
prolong$ te>s by eat+ ! ?+4 ,x may be t 
x does n affect "s p z x does o!rs1 b 9 
mo/ cases t beautiful gossam] veil :i* y
 see ab\t ! /em is really a %r\d4  ,!   
wor/ ( x is1 he cont9u$1 t ?is ,amanita 
some:at resembles ! royal ag>ic1 !      
,amanita caes>ea4 ,x is1 z y see1       
/rik+ly beautiful1 & !re=e all ! m      
dang]\s4  ,he ceas$ a mom5t1 :ile we    
look$ 9 a sort ( awe at ! fatally       
beautiful ?+4  ,x is n ) ! fungus t ,i  

am s mu* int]e/$ j n[1 h[ev]1 ,k5n$y    
began aga91 b ) ! poison4 ,_m ye>s ago  
sci5ti/s analyz$ its poison\s alkaloids 
& f\nd :at !y call$ bulbos9e4 ,lat] x 0 
nam$ musc>91 & n[ is sometimes kn[n z   
amanit91 s9ce x is conf9$ to ! mu%rooms 
( ! ,amanita g5us4  ,amanit9 is a       
wond]ful & dang]\s alkaloid1 :i* is     
absorb$ 9 ! inte/9al canal4 ,x is       
extremely viol5t4 ,?ree to five         
"o-?\s&?s ( a gram1 or six "o-hundr$?s (
 a gra91 are v dang]\s4 ,m ?an t1 !     
poison+ diff]s f mo/ poisons 9 ! long "t
 t elapses betwe5 ! tak+ ( x & ! fir/   
evid5ces ( its effects4  ,musc>91 ,k5n$y
 conclud$1 has be5 *emically inve/igat$ 
m (t5 ?an any o!r mu%room poison & a    
p]fect antidote has be5 discov]$4       
,atrop91 or belladonna1 is su* a drug4  
,= a mom5t ,i look$ ab\t at ! o!rs 9 !  
room4 ,_h x be5 an accid5t1 aft] all8   
,p]haps1 if any ( ! o!rs _h be5 attack$1
 "o might h suspect$ t x 04 ,b !y _h n  
be5 affect$ at all1 at lea/ app>5tly4   
,yet !re c\ld be no d\bt t x 0 !        

poison\s musc>9 t _h affect$ ,mansfield4
  ,did y ev] see any?+ l t8 ask$ ,k5n$y1
 sudd5ly1 hold+ up ! gilt spangle :i* he
 _h f\nd on ! closet floor ne> ! wall   
safe4  ,?\gh no "o said a ^w1 x 0 evid5t
 t !y all recogniz$ x4 ,lewis 0 wat*+   
,madel9e closely4 ,b %e betray$ no?+    
except mild surprise at see+ ! spangle f
 h] dress4 ,_h x be5 delib]ately plac$  
!re1 x fla%$ ov] me1 9 ord] to          
compromise ,madel9e ,h>grave & div]t    
suspicion f "s "o else8  ,i turn$ to    
,m9a4 ,beh9d ! defiance ( h] d>k eyes ,i
 felt t !re 0 some?+ work+4 ,k5n$y mu/ h
 s5s$ x ev5 be=e ,i did1 = he sudd5ly   
b5t d[n ov] ! record+ ne$le & ! rul$    
pap] on ! table4  ,?is1 he %ot out1 is a
 pneumograph :i* %[s ! actual int5sity (
 ! emotions by record+ _! effects on !  
he>t & lungs toge!r4 ,! tru? c lit]ally 
be tapp$1 ev5 :]e no confession c be    
extract$4 ,a mom5t's glance at ?is l9e1 
trac$ "h by ea* ( y1 c tell ! exp]t m   
?an words4  ,!n x 0 a mu%room t poison$ 
,jack6 int]rupt$ ,lewis1 sudd5ly4 ,"s   

poison\s ,amanita got mix$ ) ! edible   
mu%rooms8  ,k5n$y answ]$1 quickly1 )\t  
tak+ 8 eyes (f ! l9e ! ne$le 0 trac+3   
,no2 ?is 0 a case ( ! delib]ate use ( ! 
active pr9ciple itself1 musc>9--) !     
expectation t ! dea?1 if ! cause 0 ev]  
discov]$1 c\ld easily be blam$ on su* a 
mu%room4 ,someh[--!re 7 _m *ances--!    
poison 0 slipp$ into ! ramek9 ,francois 
0 c>efully prep>+ = ,mansfield4 ,! me?od
 does n int]e/ me s mu* z ! fact--  ,!re
 0 a slight noise f ! o!r room :]e      
,mansfield lay4 ,in/antly we 7 all on   
our feet4 ,be=e any ( u c\ld rea* ! door
 ,hel5 ,grey _h slipp$ ?r\gh x4  ,j a   
second1 comm&$ ,k5n$y1 ext5d+ ! sequ9   
t[>d u to emphasize :at he 0 ab\t to    
say4 ,! poison+ & ! robb]y 7 ! "w ( "o  
h&4 ,t sequ9 is ! key t has unlock$ !   
secret :i* my pneumograph has record$4  
,"s "o saw t robb]y committ$--knew no?+ 
( ! contemplat$ poison+ to cov] x4 ,to  
save ! reputation ( ! robb]--at any     
co/--on ! spur ( ! mom5t ! ruse ( plac+ 
! sequ9 9 ! closet occurr$4  ,madel9e   

,h>grave turn$ to ,m9a1 :ile ,i recall$ 
,lewis's rem>k ab\t ,m9a's /epp+ on !   
tra9 & te>+ x4 ,! defiance 9 h] black   
eyes fla%$ f ,madel9e to ,k5n$y4  ,yes1 
%e cri$2 ,i did x6 ,i--  ,z quickly !   
defiance _h fad$4 ,m9a ,leit* _h fa9t$4 
,"s wat]--quick6 cri$ ,k5n$y4  ,i sprang
 ?r\gh ! door into ,mansfield's room4 ,z
 ,i pass$ ,i caught sight ( ,hel5 ,grey 
support+ ! head ( ,mansfield--bo?       
oblivi\s to actresses1 diamonds1 ev]y?+ 
t _h s ne>ly caus$ a trag$y4  ,no1 ,i   
he>d ,k5n$y say to ,lewis z ,i return$2 
x 0 n ,m9a4 ,! p]son %e %ield$ 0 wildly 
9 love ) h]1 insanely jeal\s (          
,mansfield = ev5 look+ at h]1 & 9 debt s
 hopelessly 9 ,mansfield's v5tures t    
only ! big diamond c\ld save            
him--,doctor ,murray himself6     ,,iii 
,,! ,,s\l-,,analysis   ,"h's ! mo/      
rem>kable appeal1 obs]v$ ,k5n$y1 "o     
morn+1 z he toss$ ov] to me a lett]4    
,:at d y make ( t8 ,x read3  ,,montrose1
 ,,conn4  ,,my ,,de> ,,pr(essor ,,k5n$y3
  ,y d n "k me1 b ,i h he>d a great deal

 ab\t y4 ,please1 ,i beg ( y1 d n       
disreg>d ?is lett]4 ,at lea/ try to     
v]ify ! appeal ,i am mak+4  ,i am "h at 
! ,belleclaire ,sanatorium1 run by ,dr4 
,bolton ,burr1 9 ,montrose4 ,b x is n a 
real sanatorium4 ,x is really a private 
asylum4  ,let me tell my /ory briefly4  
,aft] my baby 0 born ,i devot$ myself to
 x4 ,b1 9 spite ( ev]y?+1 x di$4        
,mean:ile my husb& neglect$ me t]ribly4 
,aft] ! baby's dea? ,i 0 a n]v\s wreck1 
& ,i came up "h to re/4  ,n[ ,i f9d ,i  
am be+ held "h z an insane pati5t4 ,i _c
 get out4 ,i d n ev5 "k :e!r ?is lett] w
 rea* y4 ,b ! *amb]maid "h has told me  
%e w po/ x = me4  ,i am ill & n]v\s--a  
wreck1 b n insane1 al?\gh !y w tell y t 
! twilight-sleep treatm5t affect$ my    
m9d4 ,b :at is happ5+ "h w ev5tually    
drive me insane if "s "o does n come to 
my rescue4  ,_c y get 9 to see me z a   
doctor or fri5d8 ,i w leave all to y    
aft] t4  ,y\rs anxi\sly1  ,,janet       
7,,mrs4 ,,rog]7 ,,cran/on4  ,:at d y    
make ( x y\rself8 ,i return$1 h&+ back !

 lett]4 ,are y go+ to take x up8 ,he    
sl[ly look$ ov] ! lett] aga94  ,judg+ by
 ! h&writ+1 he rem>k$1 ?\ghtfully1 ,i   
%\ld say t ! writ] is labor+ "u ke5     
excitem5t--?\gh !re is no evid5ce (     
insanity on ! face ( x4 ,yes2 ,i ?9k    
,i'll take up ! case4  ,b h[ are y go+  
to get 98 ,i ask$4 ,!y'll nev] admit y  
will+ly4  ,k5n$y pond]$ a m9ute4 ,i'll  
get 91 all "r1 he said1 at l5g?2 come   
on--,i'm go+ to call on ,rog] ,cran/on  
fir/4  ,rog] ,cran/on8 ,i repeat$1      
dumf\nd$4 ,:y1 he'll nev] help y6 ,t5 to
 "o he's 9 on x4  ,we'll h to take a    
*ance1 return$ ,k5n$y1 hurry+ me out ( !
 laboratory4  ,rog] ,cran/on 0 a        
well-kn[n lawy] & man ab\t t[n4 ,we f\nd
 him 9 8 (fice on l[] ,broadway4 ,he 0  
"y & di/+ui%$-look+1 :i* probably       
acc\nt$ = ! fact t 8 (fice _h become a  
sort ( fa%ionable c\rt ( dome/ic        
relations4  ,i'm a fri5d ( ,dr4 ,bolton 
,burr1 ( ,montrose1 introduc$ ,k5n$y4   
,cran/on look$ at him ke5ly1 b ,k5n$y 0 
a good actor4 ,i h be5 /udy+ "s ( !     

pati5ts at ! sanatorium1 & ,i h se5     
,mrs4 ,cran/on !re4  ,inde$6 respond$   
,cran/on4 ,i'm all brok5 up by x myself4
  ,i c\ld n resi/ ?9k+ t he took x v    
calmly1 h[ev]4  ,i %\ld l v mu* to make 
:at we call a psy*analysis ( ,mrs4      
,cran/on's m5tal condition1 ,k5n$y      
expla9$4  ,a psy*analysis8 repeat$      
,cran/on4  ,yes2 y "k x is a new sy/em4 
,9 ! field ( abnormal psy*ology1 !      
s\l-analysis is ( fir/ importance4      
,to-day1 ?is /udy is ( ! greate/ help 9 
neurology & psy*iatry4 ,only1 ,i c't    
make x )\t ! cons5t ( ! natural gu>dian 
( ! pati5t4 ,doctor ,burr tells me t y w
 h no objection4  ,cran/on ?\ghtfully   
/udi$ ! wall opposite4  ,well1 he       
return$1 sl[ly1 !y tell me t )\t        
treatm5t %e w soon be hopelessly        
insane--p]haps dang]\sly s4 ,t is all ,i
 "k4 ,i am n a speciali/4 ,if ,doctor   
,burr-- ,he paus$4  ,if y c give me j a 
c>d1 urg$ ,k5n$y1 t is all ,doctor ,burr
 wi%es4  ,cran/on wrote ha/ily on ! back
 ( "o ( 8 c>ds :at ,k5n$y dictat$4      

,please all[ ,doctor ,k5n$y to make a   
psy*analysis ( my   wife's m5tal        
condition4  ,y w let me "k--if !re      
is--any hope8 he ask$4  ,z soon z ,i c1 
repli$ ,k5n$y1 ,i'll let y h a copy ( my
 report4  ,cran/on ?ank$ u & b[$ u to ! 
door suavely4  ,well1 ,i rem>k$1 z we   
rode d[n 9 ! elevator1 t 0 clev]4 ,he   
fell = x1 too4 ,y're an arti/4 ,d y ?9k 
he 0 pos+8  ,k5n$y %rugg$ 8 %\ld]s4  ,we
 lo/ no "t 9 gett+ ! fir/ tra9 =        
,montrose1 be=e ,cran/on _h "t to       
reconsid] & call up ,doctor ,burr4  ,!  
,belleclaire ,sanatorium 0 on !         
outskirts ( ! t[n4 ,x 0 an old /one     
h\se1 r d+y1 & surr\nd$ by a high /one  
wall surm\nt$ by %>p pickets4  ,dr4     
,bolton ,burr1 :o 0 at ! head ( !       
in/itution1 met u 9 ! pla9ly furni%$    
reception-room :i* also s]v$ z 8 (fice4 
,?r\gh a w9d[ we c\ld see "s ( ! pati5ts
 walk+ or sitt+ ab\t on a small /ret* ( 
scraggly grass betwe5 ! h\se & ! wall4  
,doctor ,burr 0 a tall & comm&+-look+   
man ) a ,v&yke be>d1 & "o w\ld          

in/9ctively h pick$ him out any:]e z a  
physician4  ,i believe y h a pati5t     
"h--,mrs4 ,rog] ,cran/on1 began ,k5n$y1 
aft] ! usual =malities4 ,doctor ,burr   
ey$ u askance4 ,i've be5 ask$ by ,mr4   
,cran/on to make an exam9ation ( 8 wife1
 pursu$ ,craig1 pres5t+ ! c>d :i* he _h 
obta9$ f ,rog] ,cran/on4  ,h'm6 mus$    
,doctor ,burr1 look+ quickly f ! c>d to 
,k5n$y ) a se>*+ glance4  ,i wi% y w\ld 
tell me some?+ ( ! case be=e ,i see h]1 
w5t on ,k5n$y1 ) absolute assurance4    
,well1 temporiz$ ,doctor ,burr1 twirl+ !
 c>d1 ,mrs4 ,cran/on came to me aft] !  
dea? ( h] *ild4 ,%e 0 9 a t]rible /ate4 
,b we are sl[ly build+ up h] %att]$     
n]ves by pla91 simple liv+ & a tonic4   
,0 %e committ$ by h] husb&8 qu]i$       
,k5n$y1 unexpect$ly4  ,:e!r or n ,doctor
 ,burr felt suspici\s ( u ,i c\ld n     
tell4 ,b he seem$ eag] to ju/ify        
himself4  ,i h ! pap]s committ+ h] to my
 c>e1 he said1 ris+ & op5+ a safe 9 !   
corn]4  ,he laid be=e u a docum5t 9 :i* 
appe>$ ! names ( ,rog] ,cran/on & ,julia

 ,giles4  ,:o is ?is ,julia ,giles8 ask$
 ,k5n$y1 aft] he _h read ! docum5t4  ,"o
 ( our nurses1 return$ ! doctor4 ,%e has
 _h ,mrs4 ,cran/on "u obs]vation ev]    
s9ce %e arriv$4  ,i %\ld l to see bo?   
,miss ,giles & ,mrs4 ,cran/on1 insi/$   
,k5n$y4 ,x is n t ,mr4 ,cran/on is 9 any
 way dissatisfi$ ) y\r treatm5t1 b he   
?\ght t p]haps ,i might be ( "s         
assi/ance to y4  ,k5n$y's mann] 0       
+ratiat+ b firm1 & he hurri$ on1 le/ x  
%\ld occur to ,doctor ,burr to call up  
,cran/on4 ,! doctor1 /ill twirl+ ! c>d1 
f9ally l$ u ?r\gh ! wide c5tral hall &  
up an old-fa%ion$ w9d+ /aircase to a    
l>ge room on ! second floor4  ,he tapp$ 
at ! door1 :i* 0 op5$1 disclos+ an      
int]ior ta/efully furni%$4  ,doctor     
,burr introduc$ u to ,miss ,giles1      
convey+ ! impression1 :i* ,k5n$y _h     
already giv51 t he 0 a speciali/1 & ,i 8
 assi/ant4  ,janet ,cran/on 0 a "y &    
also rem>kably beautiful girl4 ,"o c\ld 
see traces ( sorr[ 9 h] face1 :i* 0     
exce$+ly1 ?\gh n unpleas+ly1 pale4 ,!   

re/less brilliancy ( h] eyes spoke ( "s 
physical1 if n psy*ical1 disord]4 ,%e 0 
dress$ 9 deep m\rn+1 :i* height5$ h]    
pallor & excit$ a feel+ ( m+l$ respect &
 int]e/4 ,?ick br[n coils ( *e/nut hair 
7 arrang$ 9 su* a mann] z to give an    
extremely y\?ful appe>ance to h]        
delicate face4 ,h] emotions 7 express$  
by ! con/ant motion ( h] sl5d] f+]s4    
,miss ,giles 0 a /rik+ woman ( an       
entirely diff]5t type4 ,%e seem$ to be  
exub]ant ) heal?1 z ?\gh nurs+ _h taught
 h] n m]ely h[ to take c>e ( o!rs1 b _h 
giv5 h] ! secret ( c>+1 fir/ ( all1 =   
h]self4  ,i c\ld see1 z ,doctor ,burr   
introduc$ u to 8 pati5t1 t ,mrs4        
,cran/on in/antly recogniz$ ,k5n$y's    
int]e/ 9 h] case4 ,%e receiv$ u ) a     
graceful c\rtesy1 b %e betray$ no undue 
int]e/ t might excite suspicion1 nor 0  
!re any h9t giv5 ( ! note ( appeal4 ,i  
wond]$ :e!r t might n be an in/ance ( ! 
cunn+ = :i* ,i _h he>d t ! insane are   
not$4 ,%e %[$ no sign ( insanity1 h[ev]4
  ,i look$ ab\t curi\sly to see if !re 7

 evid5ces ( ! treatm5t :i* %e 0 receiv+4
 ,on a table /ood a bottle & a glass1 z 
well z a teaspoon1 & ,i recall$ !       
doctor's rem>k ab\t ! tonic4  ,y look   
tir$1 ,mrs4 ,cran/on1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y1    
?\ghtfully4 ,:y n re/ :ile we are "h1 & 
!n ,i w be sure my visit has _h no ill  
effects4  ,?ank y1 %e murmur$1 & ,i 0   
mu* impress$ by ! sweetness ( h] voice4 
,z he spoke1 ,k5n$y arrang$ ! pill[s on 
a *aise l\nge & plac$ h] on x ) h] head 
slightly elevat$4 ,hav+ discuss$ !      
subject ( psy*analysis ) ,k5n$y be=e1 ,i
 knew t ?is 0 s t no?+ might di/ract h] 
f ! free association ( ideas4  ,he plac$
 himself ne> h] head1 & motion$ to u to 
/& f>!r back ( him1 :]e %e c\ld n see u4
  ,avoid all muscul> ex]tion &          
di/raction1 he cont9u$4 ,i want y to    
conc5trate y\r att5tion ?or\ghly4 ,tell 
me any?+ t comes into y\r m9d4 ,tell all
 y "k ( y\r symptoms4 ,conc5trate1 &    
repeat all y ?9k (4 ,frankly express all
 ! ?\ghts t y h1 ev5 ?\gh !y may be     
pa9ful & emb>rass+4  ,he said ?is       

soo?+ly1 & %e seem$ to und]/& t mu*     
dep5d$ ^u h] answ]s & ! fact ( n =c+ h] 
ideas4  ,i am ?9k+ ( my husb&1 ,mrs4    
,cran/on began1 f9ally1 9 a dreamy tone4
  ,:at ( him8 sugge/$ ,k5n$y4  ,( h[ !  
baby--sep>at$ u--&-- ,%e paus$1 almo/ 9 
te>s4  ,f :at ,i knew ( ! me?od (       
psy*analysis1 ,i recall$ x 0 ! gaps &   
hesitations :i* 7 mo/ important 9 arriv+
 at ! tru? reg>d+ ! cause ( h] tr\ble4  
,p]haps x 0 my fault2 p]haps ,i 0 a     
bett] "m ?an wife4 ,i ?\ght ,i 0 do+ :at
 he w\ld want me to d4 ,too late ,i see 
my mi/ake4  ,x 0 easy to read into h]   
/ory t !re _h be5 o!r wom5 9 8 life4 ,x 
_h w\nd$ h] deeply4 ,yet x 0 equally    
pla9 t %e /ill lov$ him4  ,g on1 urg$   
,k5n$y1 g5tly4  ,oh yes1 %e resum$1     
dreamily2 ,i am ?9k+ ab\t once1 :5 ,i   
left him1 ,i w&]$ ?r\gh ! c\ntry4 ,i    
rememb] little except t x 0 ! c\ntry    
?r\gh :i* we _h pass$ on an automobile  
trip on our honeymoon4 ,once ,i ?\ght ,i
 saw him1 & ,i tri$ to get to him4 ,i   
long$ = him1 b ea* "t1 :5 ,i almo/ rea*$

 him1 he w\ld disappe>4 ,i seem$ to be s
 des]t$ & alone4 ,i tri$ to call him1 b 
my tongue refus$ to say 8 "n4 ,x mu/ h  
be5 h\rs t ,i w&]$ ab\t1 = ,i recall    
no?+ aft] t until ,i 0 f\nd1 di%evel$ & 
exhau/$4  ,%e paus$ & clos$ h] eyes1    
:ile ,i c\ld see t ,k5n$y consid]$ ?is  
gap v important4  ,don't /op1 p]si/$    
,k5n$y4 ,once we qu>rel$ ov] "o ( 8     
cli5ts :o 0 su+ = a divorce4 ,i ?\ght he
 0 devot+ too mu* "t & att5tion to h]4  
,:ile !re might n h be5 any?+ wrong1    
/ill ,i 0 afraid4 ,9 my ang] & anxiety  
,i accus$ him4 ,he retort$ by slamm+ !  
door1 & ,i did n see him = two or ?ree  
days4 ,i realiz$ my n]v\s condition1 &  
"o day a mutual fri5d ( ours introduc$  
me to ,doctor ,burr & advis$ me to take 
a re/-cure at 8 sanatorium4 ,by ?is "t  
,rog] & ,i 7 on speak+-t]ms aga94 ,b !  
dea? ( ! baby & ! qu>rel left me /ill z 
n]v\s z be=e4 ,he seem$ anxi\s to h me d
 some?+1 & s ,i came "h4  ,d y rememb]  
any?+ t happ5$ aft] t8 ask$ ,craig1 = ! 
fir/ "t ask+ a mildly lead+ "q4  ,yes2  

,i recall ev]y?+ t happ5$ :5 ,i came "h1
 %e w5t on4 ,rog] came up ) me to       
complete ! necess>y arrangem5ts4 ,we 7  
met at ! /ation by ,doctor ,burr & ?is  
woman :o has s9ce be5 my nurse &        
companion4 ,on ! way up f ! /ation to ! 
sanatorium ,doctor ,burr 0 v consid]ate 
( me1 & ,i notic$ t my husb& seem$      
int]e/$ 9 ,miss ,giles & ! c>e %e 0 to  
take ( me4  ,k5n$y fla%$ a glance at me 
f a note-book 9 :i* he 0 app>5tly busily
 engag$ 9 jott+ d[n h] answ]s4 ,i did n 
"k j :at int]pretation to put on x1 b   
surmis$ t x meant t he _h /ruck :at !   
new psy*ologi/s call a complex1 9 !     
entrance ( ,miss ,giles into ! case4    
,be=e we realiz$ x !re came a sudd5     
outbur/ ( feel+4  ,& n[--!y are keep+ me
 "h by =ce6 %e cri$4  ,doctor ,burr     
look$ at u significantly1 z mu* z to    
say1 ,j :at might be expect$1 y see4    
,k5n$y nodd$1 b made no ef=t to /op     
,mrs4 ,cran/on4  ,!y h told ,rog] t ,i  
am insane1 & ,i "k he mu/ believe x or  
he w\ld n leave me "h4 ,b _! real       

motive1 ,i c guess1 is m]c5>y4 ,i c't   
compla9 ab\t my treatm5t "h--x co/s     
en\gh4  ,by ?is "t %e 0 sitt+ bolt      
upright1 />+ /raight ahead z ?\gh amaz$ 
at h] own boldness 9 speak+ s frankly   
be=e !m4  ,i feel all "r at times--!n--x
 is z ?\gh ,i _h a p>alysis ( ! body1 b 
n ( ! m9d--n ( ! m9d1 %e repeat$1       
t5sely4 ,!re 0 a fright5$ look on h]    
face1 & h] voice 0 n[ wildly appeal+4   
,:at w\ld h foll[$ ,i _c guess1 = at t  
in/ant !re came a noise outside f ano!r 
( ! rooms z ?\gh p&emonium _h brok5     
loose4 ,by ! %\t+ & confusion1 "o might 
easily h wond]$ :e!r keep]s & lunatics  
might n h ex*ang$ places4  ,x is j "o ( 
! pati5ts :o has escap$ f 8 room1       
expla9$ ,doctor ,burr2 no?+ to be al>m$ 
ab\t4 ,we'll soon h him quiet$4  ,doctor
 ,burr hurri$ out into ! corridor :ile  
,miss ,giles 0 look+ out ( ! door4      
,quickly ,k5n$y rea*$ ov] & ab/ract$    
sev]al drops f a bottle ( tonic on !    
table1 p\r+ x into 8 h&k]*ief1 :i* he   
roll$ up tightly & /uff$ into 8 pocket4 

,mrs4 ,cran/on wat*$ him plead+ly1 &    
clasp$ h] h&s 9 mute appeal1 ) a ha/y   
glance at ,miss ,giles4  ,k5n$y said    
no?+1 ei!r1 b rapidly fold$ up a page ( 
! note-book on :i* he _h be5 writ+ &    
%ov$ x into ,mrs4 ,cran/on's h&1 toge!r 
) some?+ he _h tak5 f 8 pocket4 ,%e     
und]/ood1 & quickly plac$ x 9 h]        
corsage4  ,read x--:5 y are absolutely  
alone1 he :isp]$1 j z ,miss ,giles %ut !
 door & turn$ to u4  ,! excitem5t       
subsid$ almo/ z quickly z x _h aris51 b 
x _h be5 suffici5t to put a /op to any  
fur!r /udy ( ! case along ^? l9es4 ,miss
 ,giles's ke5 eyes miss$ no action or   
movem5t ( h] pati5t4  ,doctor ,burr     
return$ %ortly4 ,x 0 evid5t f 8 mann] t 
he wi%$ to h ! visit t]m9at$1 & ,k5n$y  
seem$ q will+ to take ! h9t4 ,he ?ank$  
,mrs4 ,cran/on1 & we )drew quietly1 aft]
 bidd+ h] good-by 9 a mann] z reassur+ z
 we c\ld make x "u ! circum/ances4  ,y  
see1 rem>k$ ,doctor ,burr1 z we walk$   
d[n ! hall1 %e is q un/rung /ill4 ,mr4  
,cran/on comes up "h once 9 a :ile1 & we

 notice t aft] ^! visits %e is1 if      
any?+1 worse4  ,d[n ! hall a door _h be5
 left op51 & we c\ld cat* a glimpse ( a 
pati5t roll$ 9 a blanket1 :ile two      
nurses =c$ some?+ d[n 8 ?roat4 ,doctor  
,burr ha/ily clos$ ! door z we pass$4   
,t is ! condition ,mrs4 ,cran/on might h
 got into if %e _h n come to u :5 %e    
did1 he said4 ,z x is1 %e is nev] viol5t
 & is "o ( ! mo/ tractable pati5ts we h4
  ,we left %ortly1 )\t f9d+ out :e!r    
,doctor ,burr suspect$ u ( any?+ or n4  
,z we made our way back to ! city1 ,i   
c\ld n help ! feel+ ( depression su* z  
,poe m5tion$ at see+ ! private madh\se 9
 ,france4  ,t glimpse we _h into ! o!r  
room almo/ makes "o recall ! soo?+ sy/em
 ( ,doctor ,maill>d4 ,is ,doctor ,burr's
 sy/em bett]8 ,i ask$4  ,a good deal (  
:at we us$ to ?9k & practise is out (   
date n[1 return$ ,k5n$y4 ,i ?9k y are   
already famili> ) ! !ory ( dreams t has 
be5 develop$ by ,dr4 ,sigmund ,freud1 ( 
,vi5na4 ,b p]haps y are n aw>e ( ! fact 
t ,freud's contribution to ! /udy (     

insanity is ( ev5 great] sci5tific value
 ?an 8 dream !ories tak5 by !mselves4   
,h]s1 ,i feel sure n[1 is :at is kn[n z 
"o ( ! s-call$ 'bord]-l9e cases1' he    
cont9u$4 ,x is cle>ly a case ( hy/]ia--n
 ! hy/]ia "o he>s spok5 ( commonly1 b ! 
condition :i* sci5ti/s "k z su*4 ,we    
trace ! impulses f :i* hy/]ical         
conditions arise1 p5etrate ! disguises  
:i* ^! repress$ impulses or wi%es mu/   
assume 9 ord] to appe> 9 ! consci\sness4
 ,su* trans=m$ impulses are f\nd 9      
normal p1 too1 sometimes4 ,! hy/]ic     
suff]s mo/ly f rem9isc5ces :i*1         
p>adoxically1 may be completely =gott54 
,obsessions & phobias h _! orig91       
accord+ to ,freud1 9 sexual life4 ,!    
obsession repres5ts a comp5sation or    
sub/itute = an unbe>able sexual idea &  
takes its place 9 consci\sness4 ,9      
normal sexual life1 no neurosis is      
possible1 say ! ,freudi/s4 ,sex is !    
/ronge/ impulse1 yet subject to !       
greate/ repression1 & h5ce ! weake/ po9t
 ( our cultural developm5t4 ,hy/]ia     

arises ?r\gh ! conflict betwe5 libido & 
sex-repression4 ,(t5 sex-wi%es may be   
consci\sly reject$ b unconsci\sly       
accept$4 ,s :5 !y are und]/ood e insane 
utt]ance has a reason4 ,!re is really   
me?od 9 madness4  ,:5 hy/]ia 9 a wife   
ga9s h] ! att5tion ( an o!rwise         
inatt5tive husb& x fills1 f ! /&po9t (  
h] deep] long+1 an important place1 &1 9
 a s5se1 may be said to be desirable4 ,!
 great po9t ab\t ! psy*analytic me?od1 z
 discov]$ by ,breu] & ,freud1 is t c]ta9
 symptoms ( hy/]ia disappe> :5 ! hidd5  
causes are br\ght to light & ! repress$ 
desires are gratifi$4  ,h[ does t apply 
to ,mrs4 ,cran/on8 ,i qu]i$4  ,mrs4     
,cran/on1 he repli$1 is suff]+ f :at !  
psy*analy/s call a psy*ic trauma--a     
s\l-w\nd1 z x 74 ,x is ! neglect1 9 ?is 
case1 ( h] husb&1 :om %e deeply loves4  
,t1 9 itself1 is suffici5t to expla9 h] 
exp]i5ce w&]+ ?r\gh ! c\ntry4 ,x 0 !    
region :i* %e associat$ ) h] fir/       
love-affair1 z %e told u4 ,! wave (     
recollection t swept ov] h] engulf$ h]  

m9d4 ,9 o!r words1 reason c\ld no long] 
dom9ate ! crav+s = a love s long        
suppress$4 ,!n1 :5 %e saw1 or imag9$ %e 
saw1 "o :o look$ l h] lov] ! /ra9 0 too 
great4  ,x 0 ! middle ( ! aft]noon :5 we
 rea*$ ! laboratory4 ,k5n$y at once set 
to "w /udy+ ! drops ( tonic :i* _h be5  
absorb$ 9 ! h&k]*ief4 ,z ,k5n$y work$1  
,i began ?9k+ ov] aga9 ( :at we _h se5  
at ! ,belleclaire ,sanatorium4 ,someh[  
or o!r1 ,i c\ld n get out ( my m9d !    
recollection ( ! man roll$ 9 ! blanket &
 truss$ up z helpless z a mummy4 ,i     
wond]$ :e!r t alone 0 suffici5t to      
acc\nt = ! quickness ) :i* he _h be5    
pacifi$4 ,!n ,i recall$ ,mrs4 ,cran/on's
 rem>k ab\t h] m5tal al]tness & physical
 weakness4 ,_h x any?+ to d ) ! tonic8  
,suppose1 :ile ,i am wait+1 ,i f9ally   
sugge/$ to ,craig1 ,i try to f9d out :at
 ,cran/on does ) 8 "t s9ce 8 wife has   
be5 %ut (f f ! _w4  ,t's a v good idea1 
acquiesc$ ,k5n$y4 ,don't take too long1 
h[ev]1 = ,i may /rike some?+ important  
"h any m9ute4  ,aft] sev]al inquiries   

ov] ! telephone1 ,i f\nd t s9ce 8 wife  
_h be5 9 ,montrose ,cran/on _h clos$ 8  
ap>tm5t & 0 liv+ at "o ( 8 clubs4 ,hav+ 
two or ?ree fri5ds :o 7 memb]s1 ,i did n
 hesitate to drop ar\nd4  ,un=tunately1 
none ( my fri5ds happ5$ to be !re1 & ,i 
0 =c$1 f9ally1 to ask = ,cran/on        
himself1 al?\gh all t ,i really want$ to
 "k 0 :e!r he 0 !re or n4 ,"o ( ! cl]ks 
told me t he _h be5 91 b _h left 9 a    
taxicab only a %ort "t be=e4  ,z !re 0 a
 cab-/& outside ! club1 ,i det]m9$ to   
make an inquiry & p]haps discov] ! driv]
 :o _h _h him4 ,! />t] knew him1 & :5 ,i
 said t x 0 v important bus9ess on :i*  
,i want$ to see him he motion$ to a     
driv] :o _h j pull$ up4  ,a *ance =     
ano!r f>e & a g5]\s tip 7 all t 0       
necess>y to induce him to drive me to ! 
,trocad]o1 a fa%ionable re/aurant &     
cab>et1 :]e he _h tak5 ,cran/on a %ort  
"t be=e4 ,x 0 cr[d$ :5 ,i ent]$1 &1     
avoid+ ! headwait]1 ,i /ood by ! door a 
few m9utes & look$ ov] ! brilliant & gay
 ?rong4 ,f9ally1 ,i manag$ to cat* a    

glimpse ( ,cran/on's head at a table 9 a
 f> corn]4 ,z ,i made my way d[n ! l9e (
 tables1 ,i 0 g5u9ely amaz$ to see t he 
0 ) a woman4 ,x 0 ,julia ,giles6  ,%e   
mu/ h come d[n on ! next tra9 aft] we   
did1 b1 at any rate1 x look$ z ?\gh %e  
_h lo/ no "t 9 seek+ out ,cran/on aft]  
our visit4 ,i took a seat at a table    
next !m4  ,!y 7 talk+ ab\t ,k5n$y1 &1   
dur+ a lull 9 ! music1 ,i ov]he>d him   
ask+ h] j :at ,craig _h done4  ,x 0     
c]ta9ly v clev] 9 him to play bo? y &   
,doctor ,burr ! way he did4 ,he told    
,doctor ,burr t y _h s5t him1 & told y t
 ,doctor ,burr _h s5t him4 ,by :om d y  
suppose he really 0 s5t8  ,c\ld x h be5 
my wife8  ,x mu/ h be51 b h[ %e did x is
 m ?an ,i c imag9e4  ,h[ is %e1 anyway8 
he ask$4  ,sometimes %e seems to be     
gett+ along f9ely1 & !n1 o!r days1 ,i   
feel q disc\rag$ ab\t h]4 ,h] case is v 
ob/9ate4  ,p]haps ,i _h bett] g out &   
see ,burr1 he consid]$4 ,x is e>ly 9 !  
ev5+4 ,i'll drive y out 9 my c>4 ,i'll  
/ay at ! sanatorium tonight1 & !n1      

p]haps1 ,i'll "k a little bett] :at we c
 d4  ,x 0 8 tone r ?an 8 words :i* gave 
me ! impression t he 0 m int]e/$ 9 be+ )
 ,miss ,giles ?an ) ,mrs4 ,cran/on4 ,i  
wond]$ :e!r x 0 a plot ( ,cran/on's &   
,miss ,giles's4 ,_h he be5 pos+ be=e    
,k5n$y1 & 7 !y really try+ to put ,mrs4 
,cran/on out ( ! way8  ,z ! music />t$  
up aga91 ,i he>d h] say1 ,c't we h j "o 
m dance8 ,a mom5t lat] !y 7 lo/ 9 ! gay 
:irl on ! danc+-floor4 ,!y made a h&some
 c\ple1 & x 0 evid5t t x 0 n ! fir/ "t t
 !y _h d9$ & danc$ toge!r4 ,! music     
ceas$1 & !y return$ to _! places        
reluctantly1 :ile ,cran/on telephon$ = 8
 c> to be br\ght ar\nd to ! cab>et4  ,i 
ha/5$ back to ! laboratory to in=m      
,craig :at ,i _h se54 ,z ,i told my /ory
 he look$ up at me ) a sudd5 fla% (     
compreh5sion4  ,i am glad to "k :]e !y w
 all be tonight1 he said4 ,"s "o has be5
 giv+ h] h5bane--hyoscyam94 ,i h j      
discov]$ x 9 ! tonic4  ,:at's h5bane8 ,i
 ask$4  ,x is a drug d]iv$ f !          
hyoscyamus plant1 mu* l belladonna1 ?\gh

 m di/9ctly s$ative4 ,x is a hypnotic   
us$ (t5 9 mania & m5tal excitem5t4 ,!   
feel+ :i* ,mrs4 ,cran/on describ$ is "o 
( its effects4 ,y recall ! brightness ( 
h] eyes8 ,t is "o ( ! effects ( !       
mydriatic alkaloids1 ( :i* ?is is "o4 ,!
 anci5ts 7 famili> ) sev]al ( its       
peculi> prop]ties1 z !y knew ( ! closely
 alli$ poison hemlock4  ,_m ( !         
text-books at ! pres5t "t fail to say   
any?+ ab\t ! rem>kable effect produc$ by
 l>ge doses ( ?is t]rible alkaloid4 ,?is
 effect c be describ$ te*nically s z to 
be intelligible1 b no description c     
convey1 ev5 approximately1 ! t]rible    
s5sation produc$ 9 _m insane pati5ts by 
l>ge doses4 ,9 a g5]al way1 x is !      
condition ( p>alysis ( ! body )\t !     
correspond+ p>alysis ( ! m9d4  ,& x's   
?is /uff t somebody has be5 putt+ into  
h] tonic8 ,i ask$1 />tl$4 ,d y suppose t
 is "p ( ,burr's sy/em1 or did ,miss    
,giles light5 h] "w by putt+ x into !   
tonic8  ,k5n$y did n betray 8 suspicion1
 b w5t on describ+ ! drug :i* 0 hav+ su*

 a s]i\s effect on ,mrs4 ,cran/on4  ,!  
victim lies 9 an absolutely helpless    
condition sometimes ) 8 muscles s       
completely p>alyz$ t he _c s mu* z move 
a f+]1 _c close 8 lips or move 8 tongue 
to moi/5 !m4 ,?is feel+ ( helplessness  
is usually foll[$ by unconsci\sness & !n
 by a p]iod ( depression4 ,! comb9$     
feel+ ( helplessness & depression is    
absolutely unlike any o!r feel+         
imag9able1 if ,i may judge f ! acc\nts (
 ^? :o h exp]i5c$ x4 ,o!r s5sations1 su*
 z pa91 may be judg$1 9 a measure1 by   
comp>ison ) o!r pa9ful s5sations1 b !   
s5sation produc$ by hyoscyam9 9 l>ge    
doses seems to h no basis = comp>ison4  
,!re is no k9dr$ feel+4 ,practically e  
in/itution = ! insane us$ x a few ye>s  
ago = controll+ pati5ts1 b n[ bett]     
me?ods h be5 devis$4  ,! m ,i ?9k ( :at 
,i saw at ! ,trocad]o1 ,i rem>k$1 ! m ,i
 wond] if ,miss ,giles has be5 seek+ to 
w9 ,cran/on h]self4  ,9 l>ge-en\gh doses
 & repeat$ (t5 en\gh1 cont9u$ ,k5n$y1 ,i
 suppose ! toxic effect ( ! drug might  

be to produce insanity4 ,at any rate1 if
 we are go+ to d any?+1 x might bett] be
 done at once4 ,!y are all out !re n[4  
,if we act to-night1 surely we %all h ! 
be/ *ance ( mak+ ! guilty p]son betray  
himself4  ,k5n$y telephon$ = a fa/      
t\r+-c>1 & 9 half an h\r1 :ile he ga!r$ 
"s app>atus toge!r1 ! c> 0 be=e ! door4 
,9 x he plac$ a c\ple ( light silk-rope 
ladd]s1 "s common wood5 w$ges1 & an     
in/rum5t :i* resembl$ a surveyor's      
transit ) two conical horns /ick+ out at
 ! ends4  ,we made ! trip out ( ,new    
,york & up ! ,bo/on po/-road1 foll[+ !  
r\te :i* ,cran/on & ,miss ,giles mu/ h  
tak5 "s h\rs be=e u4 ,9 ! t[n (         
,montrose1 ,k5n$y /opp$ only long en\gh 
to get a bite to eat & to /udy up 9 !   
roads 9 ! vic9ity4  ,x 0 long aft]      
midnight :5 we /ruck up into ! c\ntry4  
,! night 0 v d>k1 ?ick1 & foggy4 ,) !   
eng9e runn+ z muffl$ z possible & !     
lights dimm$1 ,k5n$y quietly jamm$ on ! 
brakes z we pull$ up along ! side ( !   
road4  ,a few rods f>!r ahead ,i c\ld   

make out ! ,belleclaire ,sanatorium     
surr\nd$ by its picket$ /one wall4 ,n a 
light 0 visible 9 any ( ! w9d[s4  ,n[ t 
we're "h1 ,i :isp]$1 :at c we d8  ,y    
rememb] ! pap] ,i gave ,mrs4 ,cran/on :5
 ! excitem5t 9 ! hall broke loose8      
,yes1 ,i nodd$1 z we mov$ ov] "u ! %ad[ 
( ! wall4  ,i wrote on a %eet f my      
note-book1 said ,k5n$y1 & told h] to be 
ready :5 %e he>d a pebble /rike ! w9d[2 
& ,i gave h] a piece ( /r+ to let d[n to
 ! gr\nd4  ,k5n$y ?rew ! silk ladd] up  
until x caught on "o ( ! pickets2 !n1 ) 
! o!r ladd] & ! w$ges1 he rea*$ ! top ( 
! wall1 foll[$ by me4 ,we pull$ ! fir/  
ladd] up z we clung to ! pickets1 & let 
x d[n aga9 inside4 ,noiselessly we      
cross$ ! lawn4  ,above 0 ,mrs4          
,cran/on's w9d[4 ,craig pick$ up "s bits
 ( brok5 /one f a walk ab\t ! h\se &    
?rew !m g5tly aga9/ ! pane4 ,!n we drew 
back into ! %ad[ ( ! h\se1 le/ any pry+ 
eyes might discov] u4 ,9 a few m9utes ! 
w9d[ on ! second floor 0 /eal?ily op5$4 
,! muffl$ figure ( ,mrs4 ,cran/on appe>$

 9 ! dim light2 !n a piece ( /r+ 0 l[]$4
  ,to x ,k5n$y atta*$ a light silk ladd]
 & motion$ 9 pantomime = h] to draw x   
up4 ,x took h] "s "t to fa/5 ! ladd] to 
"o ( ! heavy pieces ( furniture 9 !     
room4 ,sway+ f side to side1 b cl++ )   
frantic desp]ation to ! ladd] :ile we   
did our be/ to /eady x1 %e manag$ to    
rea* ! gr\nd4 ,%e turn$ f ! build+ ) a  
%udd]1 & :isp]$3  ,?is t]rible place6   
,h[ c ,i ev] ?ank y = gett+ me out ( x8 
,k5n$y did n pause long en\gh to say a  
^w1 b hurri$ h] across to ! f9al b>ri]1 
! wall4  ,sudd5ly !re 0 a %\t ( al>m f !
 front ( ! h\se "u ! columns4 ,x 0 !    
night wat*man1 :o _h discov]$ u4        
,in/antly ,k5n$y seiz$ a *air f a little
 summ]-h\se4  ,quick1 ,walt]1 he cri$1  
ov] ! wall ) ,mrs4 ,cran/on1 :ile ,i    
hold him6 ,!n ?r[ ! ladd] back on ?is   
side4 ,i'll jo9 y 9 a mom5t1 z soon z y 
get h] safely ov]4  ,a *air is only an  
indiff]5t club1 if t is all "o c ?9k (  
us+ x =4 ,k5n$y ran squ>ely at !        
wat*man1 hold+ x out /raight be=e him4  

,only once did ,i ca/ a ha/y glance     
back4 ,!re 0 ! man p9n$ to ! wall by !  
*air1 ) ,k5n$y at ! o!r end ( x & safely
 out ( rea*4  ,mrs4 ,cran/on & ,i manag$
 to scramble ov] ! wall1 al?\gh %e tore 
h] dress on ! pickets be=e we rea*$ !   
o!r side4 ,i hu/l$ h] into ! c> & made  
ev]y?+ ready to />t4 ,x 0 only a c\ple (
 m9utes aft] ,i ?rew ! ladd] back be=e  
,craig rejo9$ u4  ,h[ did y get away f !
 wat*man8 ,i dem&$1 brea?lessly1 z we   
%ot away4  ,i =c$ him back ) ! *air into
 ! hall & slamm$ ! door4 ,!n ,i jamm$ a 
w$ge "u x1 he *uckl$4 ,t w hold x bett] 
?an any lock4 ,e pu% w jam x tight]4    
,above ! hubbub1 inside n[1 we c\ld he> 
a l\d gong s\nd+ insi/5tly4 ,all ab\t 7 
lights fla%+ up at ! w9d[s & mov+ ?r\gh 
! passageways4 ,%\ts came f ! back ( !  
h\se z a door 0 f9ally op5$ !re4 ,b we 7
 (f n[1 ) a good />t4  ,i c\ld imag9e ! 
frantic telephon+ t 0 go+ on 9 !        
sanatorium4 ,& ,i knew t ! local police 
( ,montrose & e o!r t[n ab\t u 7 be+    
in=m$ ( ! escape4 ,!y 7 requir$ by ! law

 to r5d] all possible assi/ance1 &1 z ! 
c\ntry boa/$ sev]al in/itutions q on a  
p> ) ,belleclaire1 an attempt at an     
escape 0 n an unusual occurr5ce4  ,!    
po/-road by :i* we _h come 0 !re=e      
impossible1 & ,k5n$y swung up into !    
c\ntry1 9 ! hope ( ?r[+ (f pursuit long 
en\gh to give u a bett] *ance4  ,take ! 
:eel1 ,walt]1 he mutt]$4 ,i'll tell y   
:at turns to make4 ,we mu/ get to !     
,/ate l9e ( ,new ,york )\t be+ /opp$4   
,we c beat almo/ any c>4 ,b t is n      
en\gh4 ,a telephone message ahead may   
/op u1 unless we c keep f be+ se54  ,i  
took ! :eel1 & did n /op ! c> z ,k5n$y  
climb$ ov] ! seat4 ,9 ! back ( ! c>1 :]e
 ,mrs4 ,cran/on 0 sitt+1 he ha/ily      
adju/$ ! peculi> app>atus4  ,s\nds at   
night are v h>d to locate1 he expla9$4  
,up ?is side road1 ,walt]2 !re is "s "o 
com+ ahead ( u4  ,i turn$ & %ot up !    
det\r1 /opp+ 9 ! %ad[ ( "s trees1 :]e we
 swit*$ (f e light & %ut d[n ! eng9e4   
,k5n$y cont9u$ to wat* ! in/rum5t be=e  
him4  ,:at is x8 ,i :isp]$4  ,a         

phonomet]1 he repli$4 ,x 0 inv5t$ to    
measure ! int5sity ( s\nd4 ,b x is mu* m
 valuable z an in/rum5t t tells )       
precision f :at direction a s\nd comes4 
,x ne$s only a small dry batt]y & c be  
c>ri$ ar\nd easily4 ,! s\nd ent]s ! two 
horns ( ! phonomet]1 is focus$ at !     
neck1 & /rikes on a delicate diaphragm1 
beh9d :i* is a ne$le4 ,! diaphragm      
vibrates & ! ne$le moves4 ,! l\d] ! s\nd
 ! great] ! movem5t ( ?is ne$le4  ,at   
?is end1 :]e x looks z ?\gh ,i 7 sight+ 
l a surveyor1 ,i am gaz+ into a l5s1 ) a
 t9y electric bulb close to my eye4 ,!  
light ( ?is bulb is reflect$ 9 a mirror 
:i* is mov$ by ! mov+ ne$le4 ,:5 ! s\nd 
is l\de/ ! two horns are at "r angles to
 ! direction :5ce x comes4 ,s x is only 
necess>y to twi/ ! phonomet] ab\t on its
 pivot until ! s\nd is receiv$ mo/ l\dly
 9 ! horns & ! b& ( light is greate/4 ,i
 "k !n t ! horns are at "r angles to !  
direction f :i* ! s\nd proce$s1 & t1 z  
,i lift my head1 ,i am look+ /raight    
t[>d ! s\rce ( ! s\nd4 ,i c tell its    

direction to a few degrees4  ,i look$   
?r\gh x myself to see h[ s\nd 0         
visualiz$ by light4  ,hu%6 caution$     
,k5n$y4  ,d[n on ! ma9 road we c\ld see 
a c> pass along sl[ly 9 ! direction (   
,montrose1 f :i* we _h come4 ,)\t !     
phonomet] to w>n u1 x mu/ inevitably h  
met u & block$ our escape ov] ! road    
ahead4  ,t dang] pass$1 on we sp$4 ,five
 m9utes1 ,i calculat$1 & we %\ld cross !
 ,/ate l9e to ,new ,york & safety4  ,we 
_h be5 go+ along nicely :51 ,bang6 came 
a l\d report back ( u4  ,conf\nd x6     
mutt]$ ,k5n$y2 a bl[\t always :5 y lea/ 
expect x4  ,we climb$ out ( ! c> & _h ! 
%oe (f 9 %ort ord]4  ,look6 cri$ ,janet 
,cran/on1 9 a fright5$ voice1 f ! back (
 ! c>4  ,! light ( ! phonomet] _h fla%$ 
up4 ,a c> 0 foll[+ u4  ,!re's j "o      
*ance6 cri$ ,k5n$y1 spr++ to ! :eel4 ,we
 might make x on ! rim4  ,bang+ & p\nd+1
 we =g$ ahead1 /ra9+ our eyes to wat* ! 
road1 ! di/ance1 ! "t1 & ! phonomet] all
 at once4  ,x 0 no use4 ,a big gray     
road/] 0 ov]tak+ u4 ,! driv] cr[d$ u ov]

 to ! v edge ( ! road1 !n %ot ahead1 &1 
:]e ! road n>r[$ d[n1 delib]ately pull$ 
up across ! road 9 su* a way t we _h to 
run into him or /op4  ,quickly ,craig's 
automatic gleam$ 9 ! dim beams f ! side 
lights4  ,j a m9ute1 caution$ a voice4  
,x 0 a plot aga9/ me1 q z mu* z x 0     
aga9/ h]--! nurse to lead me on1 :ile ! 
doctor got a ri* pati5t4 ,i suspect$ all
 0 n "r4 ,t's :y ,i gave y ! c>d4 ,i    
knew y didn't come f ,burr4 ,!n1 :5 ,i  
he>d no?+ f y1 ,i let ! ,giles woman ?9k
 ,i 0 com+ to ,montrose to be ) h]4 ,b1 
really1 ,i want$ to beat t fake asylum--
  ,two pi]c+ headlights %one d[n ! road 
back ( u4 ,we wait$ a mom5t until !y1   
too1 came to a /op4  ,"h !y are6 %\t$ ! 
voice ( a man1 z he jump$ out1 foll[$ by
 a woman4  ,k5n$y /epp$ =w>d1 wav+ 8    
automatic m5ac+ly4  ,y are "u arre/ =   
conspiracy--bo? ( y6 he cri$1 z we      
recogniz$ ,doctor ,burr & ,miss ,giles4 
,a little cry beh9d me />tl$ me1 & ,i   
turn$4 ,janet ,cran/on _h flung h]self  
into ! arms ( ! only p]son :o c\ld heal 

h] w\nd$ s\l4     ,,iv  ,,! ,,my/ic     
,,poison]   ,x's almo/ z ?\gh he _h be5 
/ruck d[n by a _s h&1 ,k5n$y4  ,grady1 !
 h\se detective ( ! ,pr9ce ,edw>d ,*>les
 ,hotel1 _h r\t$ u out ( b$ 9 ! middle (
 ! night ) a hurri$ call = help1 & n[   
met u 9 ! lobby ( ! fa%ionable ho/elry4 
,all t he _h said ov] ! wire 0 t !re _h 
be5 a murd]--an ,engli%man1 a ,capta9   
,%irley4  ,:y1 exclaim$ ,grady1 l[]+ 8  
voice z he l$ u ?r\gh ! lobby1 x's ! mo/
 my/]i\s ?+1 ,i ?9k1 t ,i've ev] se56   
,9 :at way8 prompt$ ,k5n$y4  ,well1     
cont9u$ ,grady1 x mu/ h be5 j a bit aft]
 midnight t "o ( ! elevator-boys he>d   
:at s\nd$ l a muffl$ report 9 a room on 
! t5? floor4 ,!re 7 o!r employees & "s  
gue/s ab\t at ! "t1 & x 0 only a matt] (
 seconds be=e !y 7 on ! spot4 ,f9ally1 !
 s\nd 0 locat$ z hav+ come probably f   
,capta9 ,%irley's room4 ,b ! door 0     
lock$--on ! inside4 ,!re 0 no response1 
al?\gh "s "o _h se5 him ride up 9 !     
elevator sc>cely five m9utes be=e4 ,by t
 "t !y _h s5t = me4 ,we broke 94 ,!re 0 

,%irley1 alone1 fully dress$1 ly+ on !  
floor be=e a writ+-table4 ,8 face 0     
horribly set1 z ?\gh he _h p]haps se5   
some?+ t fright5$ & haunt$ him--?\gh ,i 
suppose x might h be5 ! pa9 t did x4 ,i 
?9k he mu/ h he>d some?+1 jump$ f !     
*air1 p]haps 9 fe>1 !n h fall5 d[n on ! 
floor almo/ imm$iately4  ,we hurri$ ov] 
to him4 ,he 0 /ill alive1 b c\ld n      
speak4 ,i turn$ him ov]1 tri$ to r\se   
him & make him com=table4 ,x 0 only !n t
 ,i saw t he 0 really consci\s4 ,b x    
seem$ z if 8 tongue & mo/ ( 8 muscles 7 
p>alyz$4 ,someh[ he manag$ to convey to 
u ! idea t x 0 8 he>t t tr\bl$ him mo/4 
,really1 at fir/ ,i ?\ght x 0 a case (  
suicide4 ,b !re 0 no sign ( a weapon    
ab\t & n a trace ( poison--no glass1 no 
packet4 ,!re 0 no w\nd on him1          
ei!r--except a few slight cuts &        
scrat*es on 8 face & h&s4 ,b none ( !m  
look$ to be s]i\s4 ,& yet1 be=e we c\ld 
get ! h\se physician up to him he 0     
dead4  ,& ) n a ^w8 qu]i$ ,k5n$y4  ,t's 
! /range/ "p ( x4 ,no2 n a ^w spok54 ,b 

z he lay !re1 ev5 9 spite ( 8 p>alyz$   
muscles1 he 0 j able to motion ) 8 h&s4 
,i ?\ght he want$ to write1 & gave him a
 p5cil & a piece ( pap]4 ,he clut*$ at  
!m1 b "h is all he 0 able to d4  ,grady 
drew f 8 pocket a piece ( pap] & h&$ x  
to u4 ,on x 7 pr9t$ 9 trembl+1 irregul> 
*>act]s1 ,g ,a ,d1 ! ,d sc>cely f9i%$ & 
trail+ (f into no?+4  ,:at did x all    
mean8 ,h[ _h ,%irley met 8 dea?1 & :y8  
,tell me some?+ ab\t him1 said ,k5n$y1  
/udy+ ! pap] ) a fr[n4 ,grady %rugg$ 8  
%\ld]s4  ,an ,engli%man--t's ab\t all ,i
 "k4 ,look$ l "o ( ! y\ng] sons :o s    
frequ5tly g out to seek _! =tunes 9 !   
colonies4 ,by 8 appe>ance1 ,i %\ld say  
he _h be5 9 ! ,f> ,ea/--,india1 no d\bt4
 ,& ,i imag9e he _h made good4 ,he seem$
 to h pl5ty ( money4 ,t's all ,i "k ab\t
 him4  ,is any?+ miss+ f 8 room8 ,i     
ask$4 ,c\ld x h be5 a robb]y8  ,i se>*$ 
! room ha/ily1 repli$ ,grady4 ,app>5tly 
n a ?+ _h be5 t\*$4 ,i don't ?9k x 0    
robb]y4  ,by ?is "t we _h made our way  
?r\gh ! lobby & 7 9 ! elevator4  ,i've  

kept ! room j z x 01 w5t on ,grady to   
,k5n$y1 l[]+ 8 voice4 ,i've ev5 delay$ a
 bit 9 notify+ ! police1 s t y c\ld get 
"h fir/4  ,a mom5t lat] we ent]$ !      
rooms1 a fairly exp5sive suite1 consi/+ 
( a sitt+-room1 b$room1 & ba?4 ,ev]y?+ 0
 9 a condition to indicate t ,%irley _h 
j come 9 :5 ! %ot1 if %ot x _h be51 0   
fir$4  ,!re1 on ! floor1 lay 8 body1    
/ill 9 ! same attitude 9 :i* he _h di$ &
 almo/ z ,grady _h f\nd him gasp+4      
,grady's description ( ! horrible look  
on 8 face 01 if any?+1 an und]/atem5t4  
,z ,i /ood ) my eyes rivet$ on !        
horror-/rick5 face on ! floor1 ,k5n$y _h
 be5 quietly go+ ov] ! furniture & c>pet
 ab\t ! body4  ,look6 he exclaim$ at    
la/1 sc>cely turn+ to u4 ,on ! *air1 !  
writ+-table1 & ev5 on ! walls 7 little  
pitt$ m>ks & scrat*es4 ,he b5t d[n ov] !
 c>pet4 ,!re1 reflect+ ! electric light1
 scatt]$ all ab\t1 7 little f9e pieces (
 some?+ t glitt]$4  ,y h a vacuum       
clean]1 ,i suppose8 inquir$ ,craig1 ris+
 quickly4  ,c]ta9ly--a plant 9 ! cell>4 

,no2 ,i mean "o t is portable4  ,yes2 we
 h t1 too1 answ]$ ,grady1 hurry+ to !   
room telephone to h ! clean] s5t up4    
,k5n$y n[ began to look ?r\gh ,%irley's 
baggage4 ,!re 01 h[ev]1 no?+ to indicate
 t x _h be5 rifl$4  ,i not$1 among o!r  
?+s1 a photograph ( a woman 9 ,ori5tal  
dress1 dusky1 languor\s1 ( m ?an ord9>y 
beauty & intellig5ce4 ,on x some?+ 0    
writt5 9 native *>act]s4  ,j !n a boy   
:eel$ ! clean] d[n ! hall1 & ,k5n$y     
quickly %ov$ ! photograph into 8 pocket4
  ,fir/1 ,k5n$y remov$ ! du/ t 0 already
 9 ! ma*9e4 ,!n he ran ! clean] c>efully
 ov] ! c>pet1 ! uphol/]y1 ev]y?+ ab\t t 
corn] ( ! room :]e ! body lay4 ,:5 he _h
 f9i%$ he empti$ out ! du/ into a pap] &
 plac$ x 9 8 pocket4 ,he 0 j f9i%+ :5   
!re came a knock at ! door1 & x 0 op5$4 
,mr4 ,grady8 said a "y man1 ent]+       
hurri$ly4  ,oh1 hello1 ,gl5n6 ,"o ( !   
night cl]ks 9 ! (fice1 ,k5n$y1 introduc$
 ! h\se detective4  ,i've j he>d (      
!--murd]1 ,gl5n began4 ,i 0 9 !         
d9+-room1 be+ reliev$ = my little       

midnight lun*eon z usual1 :5 ,i he>d (  
x1 & ,i ?\ght t p]haps y might want to  
"k some?+ t happ5$ j be=e ,i w5t (f     
duty4  ,yes2 any?+1 broke 9 ,k5n$y4  ,x 
0 e>ly 9 ! ev5+1 return$ ! cl]k1 sl[ly1 
:5 a mess5g] left a little package =    
,capta9 ,%irley--said t ,capta9 ,%irley 
_h _h x s5t himself & ask$ t x be plac$ 
9 8 room4 ,x 0 a little affair 9 a pla91
 pap]-wrapp$ p>cel4 ,i s5t "o ( ! boys  
up ) x & a key1 & told him to put !     
package on ! writ+-desk tip "h4  ,k5n$y 
look$ at me4 ,t1 !n1 0 ! way some?+1    
:atev] x might be1 0 introduc$ into !   
room4  ,:5 ! capta9 came 91 resum$ !    
night cl]k1 ,i saw !re 0 a lett] = him 9
 ! mailbox & h&$ x to him4 ,he /ood be=e
 ! (fice desk :ile he op5$ x4 ,i ?\ght  
he look$ que]4 ,! cont5ts seem$ to al>m 
him4  ,:at 0 9 x8 ask$ ,k5n$y4 ,c\ld y  
see8  ,i got "o glimpse4 ,x seem$ to be 
no?+ b a little sc>let bead ) a black   
spot on x4 ,9 8 surprise1 he dropp$ a   
piece ( pap] f ! envelope 9 :i* ! bead  
_h be5 wrapp$ up4 ,i ?\ght x 0 /range1  

&1 z he hurri$ ov] to ! elevator1 ,i    
pick$ x up4 ,"h x is4  ,! cl]k h&$ ov] a
 crumpl$ piece ( notepap]4 ,on x 0      
scrawl$ ! ^w ,gadhr1 & und]nea?1 ,bew>e6
 ,i spell$ out ! fir/ /range ^w4 ,x _h  
an om9\s s\nd--,gadhr4 ,sudd5ly !re     
fla%$ ?r\gh my m9d ! lett]s ,%irley _h  
tri$ to pr9t b _h n f9i%$1 ,g ,a ,d4    
,k5n$y look$ at ! pap] a mom5t4  ,gadhr6
 he exclaim$1 9 a l[1 t5se tone4        
,revolt--! native ^w = unre/ 9 ,india1 !
 revolution6  ,we />$ at ea* o!r        
blankly4 ,all ( u _h be5 read+ lately 9 
! despat*es ab\t ! tr\bles !re1 hidd5 "u
 ! ban ( ! c5sor%ip4 ,i knew t ! ,h9du  
propag&a 9 ,am]ica 0 z yet 9 its        
infancy1 al?\gh sev]al plots &          
conspiracies _h be5 hat*$ "h4  ,is !re  
any "o 9 ! hotel :om y might suspect8   
ask$ ,k5n$y4  ,grady cle>$ 8 ?roat &    
look$ at ! night cl]k significantly4    
,well1 he answ]$1 ?\ghtfully1 across !  
hall !re is a new gue/ :o came          
to-day--or1 r1 ye/]day--a ,mrs4 ,an?ony4
 ,we don't "k any?+ ab\t h]1 except t %e

 looks l a =eign]4 ,%e did n come       
directly f abroad1 b mu/ h be5 liv+ 9   
,new ,york = "s "t4 ,!y tell me %e ask$ 
= a room on ?is floor1 at ?is end ( !   
hall4  ,h'm6 consid]$ ,k5n$y4 ,i'd l to 
see h]--)\t be+ se54  ,i ?9k ,i c       
arrange t1 acquiesc$ ,grady4 ,y &       
,jameson /ay 9 ! b$room4 ,i'll ask h] to
 come ov] "h1 & !n y c get a good look  
at h]4  ,! plan satisfi$ ,k5n$y1 &      
toge!r we ent]$ ! b$room1 putt+ out !   
light & leav+ ! door j a trifle aj>4  ,a
 mom5t lat] ,mrs4 ,an?ony ent]$4 ,i he>d
 a suppress$ gasp f ,k5n$y4  ,! woman 9 
! photograph6 he :isp]$ to me4  ,i /udi$
 h] face m9utely f our coign ( vantage4 
,!re 01 inde$1 a resemblance1 too /rik+ 
to be m]e co9cid5ce4  ,9 ! pres5ce (    
,grady1 %e seem$ to be n]v\s & on gu>d1 
z ?\gh %e knew1 intuitively1 t %e 0     
suspect$4  ,did y "k ,capta9 ,%irley8   
%ot out ,grady4  ,k5n$y look$ ov] at me 
& fr[n$4 ,i knew t some?+ m subtle ?an  
,new ,york police me?ods w\ld be        
necess>y 9 ord] to get any?+ f a woman l

 ?is4  ,no1 %e repli$1 quietly4 ,y see1 
,i j came "h to-day4 ,h] voice _h an    
,engli% acc5t4  ,did y he> a %ot8  ,no1 
%e repli$4 ,! voices 9 ! hall wak5$ me1 
?\gh ,i did n "k :at 0 ! matt] until j  
n[4  ,!n y made no ef=t to f9d out8     
inquir$ ,grady1 suspici\sly4  ,i am     
alone "h 9 ! city1 %e answ]$1 simply4 ,i
 0 afraid to intrude4  ,?r\gh\t %e gave 
! impression t %e 0 /rangely retic5t    
ab\t h]self4 ,evid5tly ,k5n$y _h n mu*  
fai? t ,grady w\ld elicit any?+ (       
importance4 ,he tipto$ to ! door t l$ f 
! b$room to ! hall & f\nd t x c\ld be   
op5$ f ! inside4  ,:ile ,grady cont9u$ 8
 que/ion+1 ,craig & ,i slipp$ out into !
 hall to ! room :i* ,mrs4 ,an?ony       
occupi$4  ,x 0 a suite mu* pla9] ?an t  
occupi$ by ,%irley4 ,craig swit*$ on !  
light & look$ ab\t ha/ily & ke5ly4  ,= a
 mom5t he /ood be=e a dress+-table on   
:i* 7 sev]al toilet articles4 ,a        
jewel-case seem$ to attract 8 att5tion1 
& he op5$ x4 ,inside 7 "s comp>atively  
trifl+ tr9kets4 ,! ?+ t caus$ him to    

exclaim1 h[ev]1 0 a necklace1 brok5 &   
un/rung4 ,i look$1 too4 ,x 0 compos$ (  
little crimson beads1 ea* ) a black spot
 on x6  ,quickly he drew f 8 pocket !   
photograph he _h tak5 f ,%irley's       
baggage4 ,z ,i look$ at x aga9 !re c\ld 
be no d\bt n[ 9 my m9d ( ! id5tity ( !  
orig9al4 ,x 0 ! same face4 ,& ab\t !    
neck1 9 ! picture1 0 a necklace1 pla9ly 
! same z t be=e u4  ,:at are ! beads8 ,i
 ask$1 f+]+ !m4 ,i've nev] se5 any?+ l  
!m4  ,n beads at all1 he repli$4 ,!y are
 ,h9du pray]-beans1 sometimes call$     
ruttee1 jequirity beans1 se$s ( ! plant 
kn[n to sci5ce z ,abrus precatorius4 ,!y
 produce a deadly poison--abr94 ,he     
slipp$ f\r or five ( !m into 8 pocket4  
,!n he resum$ 8 cursory se>* ( ! room4  
,!re1 on a writ+-pad1 0 a note :i* ,mrs4
 ,an?ony _h evid5tly be5 engag$ 9 writ+4
 ,craig por$ ov] x = "s "t1 :ile ,i     
fidget$4 ,x 0 no?+ b a que] jumble (    
lett]s3  ,,s[c ,,fssjwa ,,eknlffby      
,,wovhlx ,,ihwajykh #aja,,mlel          
,,epjnvpsl ,,wclurl ,,ghihda ,,elba4    

,come1 ,i caution$2 %e may return any   
mom5t4  ,quickly he copi$ (f ! lett]s4  
,x's a ciph]1 he said1 simply1 a new & r
 difficult "o1 too1 ,i imag9e4 ,b ,i may
 be able to deciph] x4  ,k5n$y )drew f !
 room &1 in/ead ( go+ back to ,%irley's1
 rode d[n 9 ! elevator to f9d ! night   
cl]k4  ,_h ,capta9 ,%irley any fri5ds 9 
! city8 ask$ ,craig4  ,gl5n %rugg$ 8    
%\ld]s4  ,he 0 out mo/ ( ! "t1 he       
repli$4 ,he seem$ to be v occupi$ ab\t  
some?+4 ,no1 ,i don't ?9k ,i ev] saw him
 speak to a s\l "h1 except a ^w to !    
wait]s & ! boys4 ,once1 ?\gh1 he        
recollect$1 he 0 call$ up by a ,mrs4    
,beekman ,rog]s4  ,mrs4 ,beekman ,rog]s1
 repeat$ ,k5n$y1 jott+ ! "n d[n & look+ 
x up 9 ! telephone-book4 ,%e liv$ on    
,riv]side ,drive1 &1 sl5d] ?\gh !       
in=mation 01 ,k5n$y seem$ glad to get x4
  ,grady jo9$ u a mom5t lat]1 hav+ be5  
wond]+ :]e we _h disappe>$4  ,y saw h]8 
he ask$4 ,:at did y ?9k ( h]8  ,wor?    
wat*+1 0 all ,k5n$y w\ld say4 ,did y get
 any?+ out ( h]8  ,grady %ook 8 head4   

,b ,i am conv9c$ %e kn[s some?+1 he     
insi/$4  ,k5n$y 0 ab\t to reply :5 he 0 
int]rupt$ by ! arrival ( a c\ple (      
detectives f ! city police1 t>dily      
summon$ by ,grady4  ,i %all let y "k !  
mom5t ,i h discov]$ any?+1 he said1 z he
 bade ,grady good-by4 ,& ?ank y = lett+ 
me h a *ance at ! case be=e all ! clues 
_h be5 spoil$4  ,late ?\gh x 01 9 !     
laboratory ,k5n$y set to "w exam9+ ! du/
 :i* he _h swept up by ! vacuum clean]1 
z well z ! jequirity beans he _h tak5 f 
,mrs4 ,an?ony's jewel-case4  ,i d n "k  
h[ mu* sleep he _h1 b ,i manag$ to snat*
 a few h\rs' re/1 & e>ly 9 ! morn+ ,i   
f\nd him at "w aga91 exam9+ ! ciph]     
message :i* he _h copi$4  ,by ! way1 he 
said1 sc>cely look+ up z he saw me aga91
 !re is some?+ q important :i* y c d =  
me4 ,r pleas$ to be ( "s use1 ,i wait$  
eag]ly4 ,i wi% y'd g out & see :at y c  
f9d out ab\t t ,mrs4 ,beekman ,rog]s1 he
 cont9u$4 ,i've "s "w "h t w keep me =  
sev]al h\rs2 s come back to me "h4  ,x 0
 su* a commission z he _h (t5 giv5 me   

be=e1 &1 ?r\gh my connection ) ! ,/>1 ,i
 f\nd no difficulty 9 execut+ x4  ,i    
f\nd t ,mrs4 ,rog]s 0 well kn[n 9 a     
c]ta9 circle ( society 9 ! city4 ,%e 0  
weal?y & _h ! reputation ( hav+ giv5 q  
lib]ally to _m causes t _h int]e/$ h]4  
,j n[1 h] p>ticul> fad 0 ,ori5tal       
religions1 & "s ( h] biz>re beliefs _h  
attract$ a great deal ( att5tion4 ,a    
c\ple ( ye>s be=e %e _h made a trip     
ar\nd ! _w1 & _h liv$ 9 ,india = sev]al 
mon?s1 app>5tly fasc9at$ by ! life &    
attract$ to ! my/]ies ( ,ori5tal fai?s4 
,) my budget ( in=mation ,i ha/5$ back  
aga9 to jo9 ,k5n$y at ! laboratory4 ,i  
c\ld see t ! ciph] 0 /ill unread4 ,f t1 
,i conjectur$ t x 01 z he _h guess$1    
con/ruct$ on "s new & difficult plan4   
,:at d y ?9k ( ,mrs4 ,rog]s8 ,i ask$1 z 
,i f9i%$ recit+ :at ,i _h le>n$4 ,is x  
possible t %e c be 9 ?is revolution>y   
propag&a8 ,he %ook 8 head d\btfully4    
,mu* ( ! disaffection t exi/s 9 ,india  
to-day1 he repli$1 is due to !          
enc\ragem5t & f9ancial assi/ance :i* x  

has receiv$ f p "h 9 ?is c\ntry1 al?\gh 
only a fraction ( ! natives ( ,india h  
ev] he>d ( u4 ,mu* ( ! money devot$ to !
 cause ( revolution & an>*y 9 ,india is 
contribut$ by wor?y p :o innoc5tly      
believe t _! subscriptions are de/9$ to 
promote ! cause ( native enlight5m5t4 ,i
 pref] to believe t !re is "s su*       
explanation 9 h] case4 ,at any rate1 ,i 
?9k t we _h bett] make a call on ,mrs4  
,rog]s4  ,e>ly t aft]noon1 accord+ly1 we
 f\nd ourselves at ! door ( ! l>ge /one 
h\se on ,riv]side ,drive 9 :i* ,mrs4    
,rog]s liv$4 ,k5n$y inquir$ = h]1 & we 7
 admitt$ to a l>ge reception-room1 ! v  
decorations ( :i* %[$ evid5ce ( h] lean+
 t[>d ! ,ori5t4 ,mrs4 ,rog]s prov$ to be
 a wid[ ( baffl+ age1 good-look+1 ) a   
c]ta9 indef9able attractiv5ess4         
,k5n$y's cue 0 obvi\s4 ,x 0 to be an    
eag] neophyte 9 ! my/]ies ( ! ,ea/1 & he
 play$ ! "p p]fectly )\t ov]do+ x4      
,p]haps y w\ld l to come to "s ( !      
meet+s ( our ,cult ( ! ,occult1 %e      
sugge/$4  ,delight$1 ,i am sure1 return$

 ,k5n$y4 ,%e h&$ him a c>d4  ,we h a    
meet+ ?is aft]noon at f\r1 %e expla9$4  
,i %\ld be glad to welcome y among u4   
,k5n$y ?ank$ h] & rose to g1 pref]r+ to 
say no?+ m j !n ab\t ! problems :i* vex$
 u 9 ! ,%irley case1 le/ x %\ld make    
fur!r inve/igation m difficult4  ,no?+ m
 _h happ5$ at ! hotel1 z we he>d f      
,grady a few m9utes lat]1 &1 z !re 0 "s 
"t be=e ! cult met1 we return$ to !     
laboratory4  ,?+s _h evid5tly progress$ 
well1 ev5 9 ! few h\rs t he _h be5 /udy+
 8 meag] evid5ce4 ,n only 0 he mak+ a   
s]ies ( delicate *emical te/s1 b1 9     
cases1 he _h sev]al gu9ea-pigs :i* he 0 
us+ also4  ,he n[ /udi$ ?r\gh a         
microscope "s ( ! p>ticles ( du/ f !    
vacuum clean]4  ,little bits ( glass1 he
 said1 briefly1 tak+ 8 eye f ! eyepiece4
 ,capta9 ,%irley 0 n %ot4  ,n %ot8 ,i   
repeat$4 ,!n h[ 0 he kill$8  ,k5n$y ey$ 
me gravely4  ,%irley 0 murd]$ by a      
poison$ bomb6  ,i said no?+1 = !        
revelation 0 ev5 m />tl+ ?an ,i _h      
imag9$4  ,9 t package :i* 0 plac$ 9 8   

room1 he w5t on1 mu/ h be5 a little     
inf]nal ma*9e ( glass1 con/ruct$ s z to 
explode ! mom5t ! wrapp] 0 brok54 ,!    
fly+ pieces ( glass inject$ ! poison z  
by a myriad ( hypod]mic ne$les--! highly
 poison\s tox9 ( abr91 product ( !      
jequirity1 :i* is ord9>ily de/roy$ 9 !  
/oma* b acts p[]fully if inject$ into ! 
blood4 ,%irley di$ ( jequirity poison+1 
or r ( ! alkaloid 9 ! bean4 ,x has be5  
us$ 9 ,india = crim9al poison+ = ages4  
,only1 !re x is cru%$1 work$ into a     
pa/e1 & roll$ into ne$le-po9t$ =ms :i*  
prick ! sk94 ,abr9 is compos$ ( two     
album9\s bodies1 "o ( :i* resembles     
snake-v5om 9 all its effects1 attack+ ! 
he>t1 mak+ ! temp]ature fall rapidly1 & 
leav+ ! blood fluid aft] dea?4 ,x is a  
vegetable tox91 q comp>able ) ric9 f !  
ca/or-oil bean4  ,9 spite ( my horror at
 ! diabolical plot t _h be5 aim$ at     
,%irley1 my m9d ran along1 ke5ly        
endeavor+ to piece toge!r ! scatt]$     
fragm5ts ( ! case4 ,"s "o1 ( c\rse1 _h  
s5t ! package :ile he 0 out & _h x plac$

 9 8 room4 ,_h x be5 ! same p]son :o _h 
s5t ! s+le jequirity bean8 ,my m9d      
in/antly rev]t$ to ! /range woman across
 ! hall1 ! photograph 9 8 luggage1 & !  
brok5 necklace 9 ! jewel-case4  ,k5n$y  
cont9u$ look+ at ! rema9d] ( ! jequirity
 beans & a liquid he _h develop$ f "s ( 
!m4 ,f9ally1 ) a glance at 8 wat*1 he   
plac$ a tube ( ! liquid 9 a lea!r case 9
 8 pocket4  ,?is may n be ! only murd]1 
he rem>k$1 s5t5ti\sly4 ,x is be/ to be  
prep>$4 ,come2 we mu/ get up to t meet+4
  ,we j\rney$ up-t[n & arriv$ at !      
little private hall :i* ! ,cult ( !     
,occult _h hir$ some:at ahead ( ! "t set
 = ! meet+1 z ,k5n$y _h aim$ to d4 ,mrs4
 ,rog]s 0 already !re & met u at ! door4
  ,s glad to see y1 %e welcom$1 lead+ u 
94  ,z we ent]$ we c\ld brea! !         
*>act]i/ic p]vad+ odor ( s&alwood4 ,ri* 
,ori5tal hang+s 7 on ! walls1 int]sp]s$ 
) cabali/ic signs1 :ile at "o end 0 a   
rais$ dais4  ,mrs4 ,rog]s introduc$ u to
 a r /\t1 middle-ag$1 sall[-fac$        
individual 9 a turban & fl[+ robes (    

ru/l+ purple silk4 ,8 eyes 7 pi]c+1     
small1 & black4 ,! plump1 unheal?y1     
milk-:ite f+]s ( 8 h&s 7 heavy ) ornate 
r+s4 ,he look$ l :at ,i %\ld h imag9$ a 
swami to be1 & su*1 ,i f\nd1 0 inde$ 8  
title4  ,! ,swami ,rajman&ra1 introduc$ 
,mrs4 ,rog]s4  ,he ext5d$ 8 flabby h& 9 
welcome1 :ile ,k5n$y ey$ him ke5ly4 ,we 
7 n p]mitt$ _m words ) ! swami1 h[ev]1 =
 ,mrs4 ,rog]s next pres5t$ u to a y\ng] 
b no less int]e/+-look+ ,ori5tal :o 0 9 
,occid5tal dress4  ,?is is ,mr4 ,s+h    
,b&emat>a91 said ,mrs4 ,rog]s4 ,y "k1 he
 has be5 s5t "h by ! nizam ( 8 prov9ce  
to be educat$ at ! univ]sity4  ,mrs4    
,rog]s !n ha/5$ to conduct u to seats z1
 "o by "o1 ! wor%ip]s ent]$4 ,!y 7 mo/ly
 wom5 ( ! ari/ocratic type :o evid5tly  
f\nd 9 ?is cult a new fad to occupy _!  
jad$ crav+ = ! s5sational4 ,9 ! dim     
light1 !re 0 some?+ almo/ sepul*ral ab\t
 ! ga!r+1 & _! complexions seem$ z :ite 
z wax4  ,aga9 ! door op5$ & ano!r woman 
ent]$4 ,i felt ! pressure ( ,k5n$y's h& 
on my arm & turn$ my eyes unobtrusively4

 ,x 0 ,mrs4 ,an?ony4  ,quietly %e seem$ 
to glide ov] ! floor t[>d ! swami &1 = a
 mom5t1 /ood talk+ to him4 ,i saw ,s+h  
eye h] ) a curi\s look4 ,0 x fe> or     
suspicion8  ,i _h come expect+ to see   
some?+ weird & wild1 p]haps ! exhibition
 ( an ,indian fakir--,i "k n :at4 ,9 t1 
at lea/1 ,i 0 disappo9t$4 ,! ,swami     
,rajman&ra1 picturesque ?\gh he 01 talk$
 mo/ fasc9at+ly ab\t 8 religion1 b ei!r 
! !atricals 7 res]v$ = an inn] circle or
 else we 7 subtly suspect$1 = ,i soon   
f\nd myself long+ = ! meet+ to close s t
 we c\ld obs]ve ^? :om we _h come to    
wat*4  ,i _h almo/ come to ! conclusion 
t our mission _h be5 a failure :5 !     
swami conclud$ & ! visitors sw>m$ =w>d  
to talk ) ! holy man f ! ,ea/4 ,k5n$y   
manag$ to make 8 way ab\t ! circle to   
,mrs4 ,rog]s & soon 0 9 an animat$      
conv]sation4  ,7 y acqua9t$ ) a ,capta9 
,%irley8 he ask$1 f9ally1 z %e op5$ !   
way = ! "q by a rem>k ab\t h] life 9    
,calcutta4  ,y-yes1 %e repli$1 hesitat+2
 ,i read 9 ! pap]s ?is morn+ t he 0 f\nd

 dead1 mo/ my/]i\sly4 ,t]rible1 wasn't  
x8 ,yes1 ,i met him 9 ,calcutta :ile ,i 
0 !re4 ,:y1 he 0 on 8 way to ,london1 & 
came to ,new ,york & call$ on me4  ,my  
eye foll[$ ! direction ( ,mrs4 ,rog]s's4
 ,%e 0 talk+ to u1 b really h] att5tion 
0 c5t]$ on ,mrs4 ,an?ony & ! swami      
toge!r4 ,z ,i glanc$ back at h] ,i      
caught sight ( ,s+h1 evid5tly engag$ 9  
wat*+ ! same two t ,i 04 ,did he h "s   
suspicion ( ,mrs4 ,an?ony8 ,:y 0 he     
wat*+ ,mrs4 ,rog]s8 ,i det]m9$ to /udy !
 two wom5 m closely4 ,i saw t ,k5n$y _h 
already notic$ :at ,i _h se54  ,"o v    
peculi> ?+1 he said1 delib]ately        
modulat+ 8 voice s t x c\ld be he>d by  
^? ab\t u1 0 t1 j be=e he 0 kill$1 "s "o
 s5t a pray]-bean f a necklace to him4  
,at ! m5tion ( ! necklace ,i saw t ,mrs4
 ,rog]s 0 all att5tion4 ,involunt>ily %e
 %ot a glance at ,mrs4 ,an?ony1 z if %e 
not$ t %e 0 n we>+ ! necklace n[4  ,is t
 ,engli%woman a memb] ( ! cult8 qu]i$   
,k5n$y1 a mom5t lat]1 z1 q naturally1 he
 look$ ov] at ,mrs4 ,an?ony4 ,:o is %e8 

,oh1 repli$ ,mrs4 ,rog]s1 quickly1 %e   
isn't an ,engli%woman at all4 ,%e is a  
,h9du--,i believe1 a =m] naut*-girl1    
daught] ( a naut*-girl4 ,%e passes by ! 
"n ( ,mrs4 ,an?ony1 b really h] "n is   
,kalia ,dass4 ,e "o 9 ,calcutta knew h]4
  ,k5n$y quietly drew 8 c>d-case f 8    
pocket & h&$ a c>d to ,mrs4 ,rog]s4  ,i 
%\ld l to talk to y ab\t h] "s "t1 he   
said1 9 a c>eful :isp]4 ,if any?+       
happ5s--don't hesitate to call on me4   
,be=e ,mrs4 ,rog]s c\ld recov] f h]     
surprise ,k5n$y _h said good-by & we 7  
on our way to ! laboratory4  ,t's a     
curi\s situation1 ,i obs]v$4 ,c y make x
 out8 ,h[ does ,%irley fit into ?is ?+8 
,craig hesitat$ a mom5t1 z ?\gh debat+  
:e!r to say any?+1 ev5 to me1 ab\t 8    
suspicions4  ,suppose1 he said1 sl[ly1 t
 ,%irley 0 a secret ag5t ( ! ,briti%    
gov]nm5t1 *>g$ ) ! mission ( f9d+ out   
:e!r ,mrs4 ,rog]s 0                     
contribut+--unkn[+ly1 p]haps--to hat*+  
ano!r ,indian mut9y8 ,w\ld t sugge/     
any?+ to y8  ,& ! naut*-girl :om he _h  

kn[n 9 ,calcutta foll[$ him1 hop+ to    
worm f him ! secrets :i* he--  ,n too   
fa/1 he caution$4 ,let u m]ely suppose t
 ,%irley 0 a spy4 ,if ,i am n mi/ak51 we
 %all see some?+ happ5 soon1 z a result 
( :at ,i said to ,mrs4 ,rog]s4  ,excit$ 
n[ by ! possibilities op5$ up by 8      
conjecture reg>d+ ,%irley1 :i* ,i knew  
mu/ h am\nt$ to a c]ta9ty 9 8 m9d1 ,i   
wat*$ him impati5tly1 z he calmly set to
 "w clean+ up ! rema9d] ( ! laboratory  
inve/igation 9 ! affair4  ,x 0 sc>cely  
half an h\r lat] t a c> drove up        
furi\sly to our door & ,mrs4 ,rog]s bur/
 91 t]ribly agitat$4  ,y rememb]1 %e    
cri$1 brea?lessly1 y said t a jequirity 
bean 0 s5t to ,capta9 ,%irley8  ,yes1   
enc\rag$ ,k5n$y4  ,well1 aft] y left1 ,i
 0 ?9k+ ab\t x4 ,t ,kalia ,dass us$ to  
we> a necklace ( !m1 b %e didn't h x on 
to-day4 ,i began ?9k+ ab\t x4 ,:ile %e 0
 talk+ to ! swami ,i w5t ov]4 ,i've     
notic$ h[ c>eful %e always is ( h]      
h&-bag4 ,s ,i manag$ to cat* my h& 9 !  
loop ab\t h] wri/4 ,x dropp$ on ! floor4

 ,we bo? made a dive = x1 b ,i got x4 ,i
 manag$1 also1 to op5 ! cat* &1 :5 ,i   
pick$ x up to h& to h]1 ) an apology1   
:at %\ld roll out b a score (           
pray]-beans6 ,"s pap]s dropp$ out1 too4 
,%e almo/ tore !m f my h&s2 9 fact1 "o (
 !m did te>4 ,aft] x 0 ov] ,i _h ?is    
scrap1 a corn] torn (f "o ( !m4  ,k5n$y 
took ! scrap :i* %e h&$ to him & /udi$ x
 c>efully1 :ile we look$ ov] 8 %\ld]4   
,on x 0 a que] alphabetical table4      
,across ! fir/ l9e 7 ! lett]s s+ly1 ea* 
foll[$ by a da%4 ,!n1 9 squ>es und]nea?1
 7 pairs ( lett]s--,,aa1 ,,ba1 ,,ca1    
,,da1 & s on1 :ile1 v]tically1 ! column 
on ! left read3 ,,aa1 ,,ab1 ,,ac1 ,,ad1 
& s on4  ,?ank y1 ,mrs4 ,rog]s1 ,craig  
said1 ris+4 ,?is is v important4  ,%e   
seem$ reluctant to g1 b1 z !re 0 no     
excuse = /ay+ long]1 %e f9ally left4    
,k5n$y imm$iately set to "w /udy+ !     
scrap ( pap] & ! ciph] message he _h    
copi$1 :ile ,i /ifl$ my impati5ce z be/ 
,i c\ld4  ,i c\ld d no?+ b reflect on ! 
possibility ( :at a jeal\s woman might  

d4 ,mrs4 ,rog]s _h giv5 u "o example4   
,did ! same explanation %$ any light on 
! my/]y ( ! naut*-girl & ! jequirity    
bean s5t to ,%irley8 ,!re 0 no d\bt n[ t
 ,%irley _h kn[n h] 9                   
,calcutta--intimately1 also4 ,p]haps !  
necklace _h "s significance4 ,at lea/1  
he mu/ h rememb]$ x1 z 8 agitation ov] !
 s+le bean & ! ^w ,gadhr seem$ to       
indicate4 ,if %e _h s5t x to him1 0 x z 
a ?reat8 ,to all appe>ance1 he _h n kn[n
 t %e 0 9 ,new ,york1 mu* less t %e 0 at
 ! same hotel & on ! same floor4 ,:y _h 
%e foll[$ him8 ,_h %e mis9t]pret$ 8     
att5tions to ,mrs4 ,rog]s8  ,long+ to   
ask ,k5n$y ! myriad que/ions t fla%$    
?r\gh my m9d1 ,i turn$ to him z he sc[l$
 at ! scrap ( pap] & ! ciph] be=e him4  
,pres5tly he glanc$ up at me1 /ill      
sc[l+4  ,x's no use1 ,walt]1 he said2 ,i
 c't make x out )\t ! key--at lea/1 x w 
take s long to discov] ! key t x may be 
useless4  ,j !n ! telephone-bell rang & 
he sprang to x eag]ly4 ,z ,i li/5$ ,i   
ga!r$ t x 0 ano!r hurri$ call f ,grady4 

,some?+ has happ5$ to ,mrs4 ,an?ony6    
cri$ ,craig1 z he hook$ up ! receiv] &  
seiz$ 8 hat4  ,a second "t we po/$ to ! 
,pr9ce ,edw>d ,*>les1 spurr$ by ! my/]y 
t surr\nd$ ! case4 ,no "o met u 9 !     
lobby ?is "t1 & we rode up directly 9 ! 
elevator to ,mrs4 ,an?ony's room4  ,z we
 came d[n ! hall & ,grady met u at !    
door1 he did n ne$ to tell u t some?+ 0 
wrong4 ,"o exp]i5ce l t ) ,%irley _h put
 ! hotel p on gu>d1 & ! h\se physician 0
 already !re1 adm9i/]+ /imulants to     
,mrs4 ,an?ony1 :o 0 ly+ on ! b$4  ,x's j
 l ! o!r case1 :isp]$ ,grady4 ,!re are !
 same scrat*es on h] face & h&s4  ,!    
doctor glanc$ ab\t at u4 ,by ! look on 8
 face1 ,i read t x 0 a los+ fight4      
,k5n$y b5t d[n4 ,! floor ab\t ! door 0  
cov]$ ) little glitt]+ sliv]s ( glass4  
,on ,mrs4 ,an?ony's face 0 ! same drawn 
look z on ,%irley's4  ,0 x a suicide8   
,_h we be5 gett+ too close on h] trail1 
or _h ,mrs4 ,an?ony be5 attack$8 ,_h "s 
"o be5 us+ h]1 & n[ 0 afraid ( h] &     
s\ght to get h] out ( ! way = safety8   

,:at 0 ! secret lock$ 9 h] sil5t lips8  
,! woman 0 pla9ly dy+4 ,w\ld %e c>ry !  
secret ) h]1 aft] all8  ,k5n$y quickly  
drew f 8 pocket ! vial :i* ,i _h se5 him
 place !re 9 ! laboratory e>ly 9 ! day4 
,f ! doctor's case he select$ a         
hypod]mic & coolly inject$ a g5]\s dose 
( ! /uff into h] arm4  ,:at is x8 ask$ !
 doctor1 z we all wat*$ h] face         
anxi\sly4  ,! antitox9 to abr91 he      
repli$4 ,i develop$ "s ( x at ! same "t 
t ,i 0 /udy+ ! poison4 ,if an animal t  
is immune to a tox9 is bl$ & ! s]um     
collect$1 ! antitox9 9 x may be inject$ 
into a heal?y animal & r5d] x immune4   
,ric9 & abr9 are vegetable prote9 tox9s 
( enorm\s pot5cy & ex]t a n>cotic       
action4 ,gu9ea-pigs f$ on !m 9 prop]    
doses atta9 su* a degree ( immunity t1 9
 a %ort "t1 !y c tol]ate f\r hundr$     
times ! fatal dose4 ,! s]um also c be   
us$ to neutralize ! tox9 9 ano!r animal1
 to a c]ta9 ext5t4  ,we cr[d$ ab\t      
,k5n$y & ! doctor1 our eyes rivet$ on ! 
drawn face be=e u4 ,w\ld ! antitox9 "w8 

,mean:ile1 ,k5n$y mov$ ov] to !         
writ+-table :i* he _h exam9$ on our fir/
 visit to ! room4 ,cov]$ up 9 !         
writ+-pad 0 /ill ! pap] :i* he _h copi$4
 ,only1 ,mrs4 ,an?ony _h add$ mu* m to  
x4 ,he look$ at x desp]ately4 ,:at good 
w\ld x d if1 aft] h\rs1 8 clev]ness     
might solve ! ciph]--too late8  ,mrs4   
,an?ony seem$ to be /ruggl+ bravely4    
,once ,i ?\ght %e 0 almo/ consci\s4     
,glaz$ ?\gh h] eyes look$1 %e saw ,k5n$y
 vaguely1 ) ! pap] 9 8 h&4 ,h] lips     
mov$4 ,k5n$y b5t d[n1 ?\gh :e!r he he>d 
or read h] lip movem5ts ,i d n "k4  ,h] 
pocket-book6 he exclaim$4  ,we f\nd x   
cru%$ "u h] coat :i* %e _h tak5 (f :5 %e
 ent]$4 ,craig op5$ x & drew =? a       
crumpl$ %eet ( pap] f :i* a corn] _h be5
 torn4 ,x exactly fitt$ ! scrap t ,mrs4 
,rog]s _h giv5 u4 ,!re1 conta9$ )9      
tw5ty-sev5 horizontal & tw5ty-sev5      
v]tical l9es1 mak+ 9 all six hundr$ &   
sev5ty-six squ>es1 0 e possible         
comb9ation ( two lett]s ( ! alphabet4   
,k5n$y look$ up1 /ill 9 desp]ation4 ,x  

did him no good4 ,he c\ld h complet$ !  
table himself4  ,9--!--l9+4 ,h] lips    
manag$ to frame ! words4  ,k5n$y        
lit]ally tore ! bag ap>t4 ,!re 0 no?+ b 
a pla9 :ite blank c>d4 ,) a sup]human   
ef=t %e mov$ h] lips aga94              
,smell+-salts1 %e seem$ to say4  ,i     
look$ ab\t4 ,on ! dress+-table /ood a   
little d>k-gre5 bottle4 ,i pull$ !      
gr\nd-glass /opp] f x & a mo/ pung5t    
odor ( c>bonate ( ammonia fill$ ! room4 
,quickly ,i held x "u h] nose1 b %e %ook
 h] head weakly4  ,k5n$y seem$ to       
und]/&4 ,he snat*$ ! bottle f me & held 
! c>d directly ov] its m\?4 ,z ! fumes (
 ! ammonia p\r$ out1 ,i saw fa9tly on ! 
c>d ! lett]s ,,hr4  ,we turn$ to ,mrs4  
,an?ony4 ,! ef=t _h us$ up h] /r5g?4 ,%e
 _h laps$ aga9 into unconsci\sness z    
,craig b5t ov] h]4  ,w %e live8 la/$4   
,i ?9k s1 he repli$1 add+ a ha/y ^w to !
 doctor4  ,:at's t8 ,look6 ,i exclaim$1 
po9t+ to ! c>d f :i* ! lett]s ,,hr _h   
already fad$ z my/]i\sly z !y _h appe>$1
 leav+ ! c>d blank aga94  ,x is ! key6  

he cri$1 excit$ly4 ,writt5 9 sympa!tic  
ink4 ,at la/ we h x all4  ,on ! que]    
alphabetical table :i* ! two pieces (   
pap] made1 he n[ wrote quickly !        
alphabet aga91 horizontally across !    
top1 />t+ ) ,h1 & v]tically d[n ! side1 
/>t+ ) ,r1 ?us3     ,h  ,i  ,j  ,k  ,l  
,m  ,n  ,o  ,p  ,q  ,r  ,s  ,t  ,u  ,v  
,w  ,x  ,y  ,z  ,a  ,b  ,c  ,d  ,e  ,f  
,g ,r a- b- c- d- e- f- g- h- i- j- k-  
l- m- n- o- p- q- r- s- t- u- v- w- x-  
y- z-,s aa ba ca da ea fa ga ha ia ja ka
 la ma na oa pa qa ra sa ta ua va wa xa 
ya za ,t ab bb cb db eb fb gb hb ib jb  
kb lb mb nb ob pb qb rb sb tb ub vb wb  
xb yb zb ,u ac bc cc dc ec fc gc hc ic  
jc kc lc mc nc oc pc qc rc sc tc uc vc  
wc xc yc zc ,v ad bd cd dd ed fd gd hd  
id jd kd ld md nd od pd qd rd sd td ud  
vd wd xd yd zd ,w ae be ce de ee fe ge  
he ie je ke le me ne oe pe qe re se te  
ue ve we xe ye ze ,x af bf cf df ef ff  
gf hf if jf kf lf mf nf ( pf qf rf sf tf
 uf vf wf xf yf zf ,y ag bg cg dg eg fg 
gg hg ig jg kg lg mg ng og pg qg rg sg  

tg ug vg wg xg yg zg ,z ah bh * dh eh fh
 gh hh ih jh kh lh mh nh oh ph qh rh % ?
 uh vy : xh yh zh  ai bi ci di ei fi gi 
hi ii ji ki li mi ni oi pi qi ri si ti  
ui vi wi xi yi zi ,a aj bj cj dj ej fj  
gj hj ij jj kj lj mj nj oj pj qj rj sj  
tj uj vj wj xj yj zj ,b ak bk ck dk ek  
fk gk hk ik jk kk lk mk nk ok pk qk rk  
sk tk uk vk wk xk yk zk ,c al bl cl dl  
el fl gl hl il jl kl ll ml nl ol pl ql  
rl sl tl ul vl wl xl yl zl ,d am bm cm  
dm em fm gm hm im jm km lm mm nm om pm  
qm rm sm tm um vm wm xm ym zm ,e an bn  
cn dn en fn gn hn 9 jn kn ln mn nn on pn
 qn rn sn tn un vn wn xn yn zn ,f ao bo 
co d eo fo g ho io jo ko lo mo no oo po 
qo ro s to uo vo wo xo yo zo ,g ap bp cp
 dp ep fp gp hp ip jp kp lp mp np op pp 
qp rp sp tp up vp wp xp yp zp ,h aq bq  
cq dq eq fq gq hq iq jq kq lq mq nq oq  
pq qq rq sq tq uq vq wq xq yq zq ,i ar  
br cr dr er fr gr hr ir jr kr lr mr nr  
or pr qr rr sr tr ur vr wr xr yr zr ,j z
 bs cs ds es fs gs hs is js ks ls ms ns 
os ps qs rs ss ts u vs ws xs ys zs ,k at

 bt ct dt et ft gt ht x jt kt lt mt nt  
ot pt qt rt / tt ut vt wt xt yt zt ,l au
 bu cu du eu fu gu hu iu ju ku lu mu nu 
ou pu qu ru su tu uu vu wu xu yu zu ,m  
av bv cv dv ev fv gv hv iv jv kv lv mv  
nv ov pv qv rv sv tv uv vv wv xv yv zv  
,n aw bw cw dw ew fw gw hw iw jw kw lw  
mw nw ow pw qw rw sw tw uw vw ww xw yw  
zw ,o ax bx cx dx ex fx gx hx ix jx kx  
lx mx nx ox px qx rx sx tx ux vx wx xx  
yx zx ,p ay by cy dy ey fy gy hy iy jy  
ky ly my ny oy py qy ry sy ty uy vy wy  
xy yy zy ,q az bz cz dz ez fz gz hz iz  
jz kz lz mz nz oz pz qz rz sz tz uz vz  
wz xz yz zz   ,see6 exclaim$ ,k5n$y1    
triumphantly1 work+ rapidly4 ,take ! ^w 
'w>' = in/ance4 ,! squ>e :i* conta9s    
,,wa is 9 l9e ,s1 column ,d4 ,s ,i put  
d[n ,,sd4 ,! odd lett] ,r1 ) a da%1 is 9
 l9e ,r1 column ,y4 ,s ,i put d[n ,,ry4 
,,w> ?us becomes ,,sdry4 ,work+ x       
backw>d f ,,sdry1 ,i take ! two lett]s  
,,sd4 ,9 l9e ,s1 column ,d1 ,i f9d ,,wa 
9 ! squ>e1 & 9 l9e ,r1 column ,y1 ,i f9d
 j ,r--mak+ ! translation ( ! ciph] read

 ',w>4' ,n[1 he w5t on1 excit$ly1 take !
 message we h3  ,,s[c ,,fssjwa          
,,eknlffby ,,wovhlx ,,ihwajykh          
#aja,,mlel ,,epjnvpsl ,,wclurl ,,ghihda 
,,elba4  ,i translate ea* pair ( lett]s 
z ,i come to !m4 ,he 0 writ+ rapidly4   
,!re 0 ! message3  ,h locat$ ,new ,york 
headqu>t]s at #aja ,ev5+side ,av5ue1    
,ap>tm5t ,k4 ,k5n$y did n pause1 b da%$ 
f ! room1 foll[$ by ,grady & myself4  ,z
 our taxi pull$ up on ! av5ue1 we saw t 
! address 0 a new b small ap>tm5t-h\se4 
,we ent]$ & locat$ ,ap>tm5t ,k4  ,ca/+  
ab\t = a way to get 91 ,craig discov]$ t
 ! fire-escape c\ld be rea*$ f a balcony
 by ! hall w9d[4 ,he swung himself ov] !
 gap1 & we foll[$4 ,x 0 ! "w ( only a   
m9ute to =ce ! w9d[-lat*4 ,we ent]$4 ,no
 "o 0 !re4  ,z we press$ aft] him1 he   
/opp$ %ort & fla%$ 8 electric bull's-eye
 ab\t ) an exclamation ( />tl$ surprise4
 ,!re 0 a fully equipp$ *emical &       
electrical laboratory4 ,!re 7 explosives
 en\gh to h bl[n n only u b a :ole block
 to k+dom come4 ,m ?an t1 x 0 a v]itable

 d5 ( poisons4 ,on a table /ood beak]s &
 te/-tubes 9 :i* 0 cru%$ a pa/e t /ill  
%[$ p>ts ( ! r$ ruttee beans4  ,"s "o   
plann$ "h to kill ,%irley1 get him out (
 ! way1 recon/ruct$ ,k5n$y1 gaz+ ab\t2  
"s "o work+ "u ! cloak ( ,ori5tal       
religion4  ,mrs4 ,an?ony8 qu]i$ ,grady4 
,k5n$y %ook 8 head4  ,on ! contr>y1 l   
,%irley1 %e 0 an ag5t ( ! ,indian       
,secret ,s]vice4 ,! re/ ( ! ciph] %[s x4
 ,%e 0 s5t to wat* "s "o else1 z he 0   
s5t to wat* ,mrs4 ,rog]s4 ,nei!r c\ld h 
kn[n t ! o!r 0 on ! case4 ,%e f\nd out1 
fir/1 t ! package ) ! pray]-bean & ! ^w 
',gadhr' 0 an attempt to w>n & save     
,%irley1 :om %e _h kn[n 9 ,calcutta &   
/ill lov$1 b fe>$ to compromise4 ,%e mu/
 h tri$ to see him1 b fail$4 ,%e        
hesitat$ to write1 b f9ally did4 ,!n "s 
"o mu/ h se5 t %e 0 dang]\s4 ,ano!r     
poison$ bomb 0 s5t to h]4 ,no2 !        
naut*-girl is innoc5t4  ',%6 caution$   
,grady4  ,outside we c\ld he> ! foot/eps
 ( "s "o com+ along ! hall4 ,k5n$y      
snapp$ (f 8 light4 ,! door op5$4  ,/&   

/ill6 ,"o motion & ,i w ?r[ x6  ,z      
,k5n$y's voice rang out f ! direction ( 
! table on :i* /ood ! half-f9i%$ glass  
bombs1 ,grady & ,i flung ourselves =w>d 
at ! intrud]1 n kn[+ :at we w\ld        
enc\nt]4  ,a mom5t lat] ,k5n$y _h f\nd !
 electric swit* & fla%$ up ! lights4  ,x
 0 ,s+h1 :o _h us$ bo? ,mrs4 ,rog]s's   
money & ,raiman&ra's religion to cov] 8 
conspiracy ( revolt4     ,v  ,,!        
,,phantom ,,de/roy]   ,guy ,fawkes      
himself w\ld %udd] 9 t mill4 ,?9k (     
x--five explosions on five successive   
days1 & n a clue6  ,our visitor _h      
pres5t$ a c>d be>+ ! "n ( ,donald       
,mac,leod1 *ief ( ! ,nitropolis ,p[d]   
,company's ,secret ,s]vice4 ,x 0 pla9 t 
he 0 greatly worri$ ov] ! case ab\t :i* 
he _h at la/ be5 =c$ to consult ,k5n$y4 
,z he spoke1 ,i rememb]$ hav+ read 9 !  
despat*es ab\t ! explosions1 b ! acc\nts
 _h be5 s meag] t ,i _h n realiz$ t !re 
0 any?+ especially unusual ab\t !m1 = x 
0 at ! "t :5 accid5ts 9 & attacks on !  
munitions-plants 7 ( common occurr5ce4  

,:y1 w5t on ,mac,leod1 ! :ole bus9ess is
 z my/]i\s z if !re 7 "s phantom de/roy]
 at "w6 ,! m5 are s fright5$ t !y ?reat5
 to quit4 ,sev]al h be5 kill$4 ,!re's   
some?+ /range ab\t t1 too4 ,!re are ugly
 rumors ( poison\s gases be+            
responsible1 q z mu* z ! explosions1    
?\gh1 s f>1 ,i've be5 able to f9d no?+ 9
 t notion4  ,:at sort ( place is x8 ask$
 ,k5n$y1 int]e/$ at once4  ,well1 y see1
 expla9$ ,mac,leod1 s9ce ! company's    
bus9ess has increas$ s fa/ lately1 x has
 be5 =c$ to erect a new plant4 ,p]haps y
 h he>d ( ! ,old ,grove ,amusem5t ,p>k1 
:i* fail$8 ,x's n f> f t4  ,mac,leod    
look$ at u inquir+ly1 & ,k5n$y nodd$ to 
g on1 ?\gh ,i am sure nei!r ( u 0       
famili> ) ! place4  ,!y've call$ ! new  
plant ,nitropolis--r a neat "n = a      
p[d]-works1 don't y ?9k8 resum$         
,mac,leod4 ,ev]y?+ w5t along all "r     
until a few days ago4 ,!n "o ( !        
build+s1 a /oreh\se1 0 bl[n up4 ,we     
c\ldn't be sure t x 0 an accid5t1 s we  
r$\bl$ our precautions4 ,x 0 ( no use4  

,t />t$ x4 ,! v next day ano!r build+ 0 
bl[n up1 !n ano!r1 until n[ !re h be5   
five ( !m4 ,:at may happ5 to-day ,heav5 
only kn[s6 ,i want to get back z soon z 
,i c4  ,r too frequ5t1 ,i mu/ admit1 to 
be co9cid5ces1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y4  ,no2 !y  
c't all be accid5ts1 ass]t$ ,mac,leod1  
confid5tly4 ,!re's too great regul>ity =
 t4 ,i ?9k ,i've consid]$ almo/ ev]y?+4 
,i don't see h[ !y c be f bombs plac$ by
 workm54 ,at lea/1 x's n a bit likely4  
,besides1 ! explosions all occur 9 broad
 daylight1 n at night4 ,we're v c>eful  
ab\t ! m5 we employ1 & !y're wat*$ all !
 "t4 ,! company has a gu>d ( its own1   
tw5ty-five pick$ m51 "u me--all         
honorably dis*>g$ ,unit$ ,/ates army m54
  ,y h =m$ no !ory ( y\r own8 qu]i$     
,k5n$y4  ,mac,leod paus$1 !n drew f 8   
pocket ! clipp+ ( a despat* f ! front 9 
:i* "o ( ! w> correspond5ts report$ !   
de/ruction ( wire entanglem5ts ) heat   
suppos$ to h be5 appli$ by ! use (      
reflect+ mirrors4  ,i'm r$uc$ to pure   
speculation1 he rem>k$4 ,to-day !y seem 

to be reviv+ all ! anci5t practices4    
,maybe "s "o is go+ at x l ,ar*im$es4   
,n impossible1 return$ ,craig1 h&+ back 
! clipp+4 ,buffon te/$ ! probability ( !
 a*ievem5t ( ,ar*im$es 9 sett+ fire to !
 %ips ( ,m>cellus ) mirrors & ! sun's   
rays4 ,he con/ruct$ a composite mirror (
 a hundr$ & tw5ty-eight plane mirrors1 &
 ) x he 0 able to ignite wood at two    
hundr$ & t5 feet4 ,h[ev]1 ,i %rewdly    
suspect t1 ev5 if ?is /ory is true1 !y  
are us+ hydrog5 or acetyl5e fl>es ov]   
!re4 ,b none ( ^! ?+s w\ld be feasible 9
 y\r case4 ,y'd "k x4  ,c\ld x be "s "o 
:o is project+ a deadly wireless =ce :i*
 causes ! explosions8 ,i put 91 m9dful (
 a previ\s case ( ,k5n$y's4 ,we all "k t
 inv5tors h be5 work+ = ye>s on ! idea (
 mak+ explosives obsolete & guns junk4  
,if "s "o has hit on a way ( guid+ an   
electric wave ?r\gh ! air & conc5trat+  
p[] at a po9t1 munitions-plants c\ld be 
wip$ out4  ,mac,leod look$ anxi\sly f me
 to ,k5n$y1 b ,craig betray$ no?+ by 8  
face except 8 int]e/4  ,sometimes ,i h  

imag9$ ,i he>d a peculi>1 fa9t1 :irr+   
noise 9 ! air1 he rem>k$1 ?\ghtfully4 ,i
 ?\ght ( hav+ ! m5 on ! wat* = air-%ips1
 b !y've nev] se5 a trace ( "o4 ,x might
 be "s p[] ei!r l ?is1 he add$1 %ak+ !  
clipp+1 or l t :i* ,mr4 ,jameson        
sugge/s4  ,x's some?+ l t y meant1 ,i   
presume1 :5 y call$ x a 'phantom        
de/roy]' a mom5t ago8 ask$ ,k5n$y4      
,mac,leod nodd$4  ,if y're int]e/$1 he  
pursu$1 ha/ily1 & feel l go+ d[n !re to 
look ?+s ov]1 ,i ?9k ! be/ place = y to 
g w\ld be to ! ,sn$d5s'4 ,!y're "s p :o 
h se5 a *ance to make a little money out
 ( ! boom4 ,_m visitors are n[ com+ &   
go+ on bus9ess connect$ ) ! new works4  
,!y h />t$ a bo>d+-h\se--or1 r1 ,mrs4   
,sn$d5 has4 ,!re's a daught]1 too1 :o   
seems to be v popul>4 ,k5n$y glanc$     
:imsically at me4  ,well1 ,walt]1 he    
rem>k$1 t5tatively1 entirely aside f !  
"y lady1 ?is ought to make a good /ory =
 ! ,/>4  ,inde$ x ought6 ,i repli$1     
en?usia/ically4  ,!n y'll g d[n to      
,nitropolis8 qu]i$ ,mac,leod1 eag]ly4 ,y

 c cat* a tra9 t w get y !re ab\t noon4 
,& ! company w pay y well4  ,mac,leod1 )
 ! my/]y1 ,miss ,sn$d51 & ! remun]ation1
 y are irresi/ible1 smil$ ,k5n$y4  ,?ank
 y1 return$ ! detective4 ,y won't regret
 x4 ,i c't tell y h[ mu* reliev$ ,i feel
 to h "s "o else1 &1 above all1 y\rself1
 on ! case4 ,y c get a tra9 9 half an   
h\r4 ,i ?9k x w\ld be be/ = y to g z    
?\gh y _h no connection ) me--at lea/ = 
! pres5t4  ,k5n$y agre$1 & ,mac,leod    
excus$ himself1 promis+ to be on ! tra91
 al?\gh n to ride ) u1 9 case we %\ld be
 ! t>get ( too inquisitive eyes4  ,= a  
few mom5ts1 :ile our taxicab 0 com+1    
,k5n$y consid]$ ?\ghtfully :at ! company
 detective _h said4 ,by ! "t ! vehicle  
arriv$ he _h hurri$ly pack$ up "s       
app>atus 9 two l>ge grips1 "o ( :i* x   
fell to my lot to c>ry4  ,! trip d[n to 
,nitropolis 0 un9t]e/+1 & we arriv$ at !
 little /ation %ortly aft] noon4        
,mac,leod 0 on ! tra91 b did n speak to 
u1 & x 0 p]haps j z well1 = ! cabm5 &   
o!rs hang+ ab\t ! /ation 7 ke5ly wat*+  

new arrivals1 & any "o ) ,mac,leod mu/ h
 attract$ att5tion4 ,we select$ or 71 r1
 select$ by "o ( ! cabm5 & driv5        
imm$iately to ! ,sn$d5 h\se4 ,our cov]  
01 z ,craig & ,i _h decid$1 to pose z   
two newspap] m5 f ,new ,york1 t be+ !   
easie/ way to acc\nt = any undue int]e/ 
we might %[ 9 ?+s4  ,! p[d]-company's   
plant 0 situat$ on a l>ge tract ( l& :i*
 0 surr\nd$ by a b>b$-wire f5ce1 six    
feet high & con/ruct$ 9 a mann] v simil>
 to ! f5ces us$ 9 protect+ prison-camps 
9 w>-times4 ,at v>i\s places along !    
sev]al miles ( f5ce gates 7 plac$1 )    
arm$ gu>ds4 ,_m o!r features 7 sugge/ive
 ( w>-times4 ,"o t impress$ u mo/ 0 t   
ea* workman _h to c>ry a pass simil>1   
almo/1 to a passport4 ,?is entire f5ce1 
we le>n$1 0 patroll$ day & night by arm$
 gu>ds4  ,a mile or s f ! plant1 or j   
outside ! ma9 gate1 q a settlem5t _h    
gr[n up1 l a mu%room1 almo/ ov]night--! 
product ( a flood ( new money4          
,orig9ally1 !re _h be5 only "o h\se = "s
 di/ance ab\t--t ( ! ,sn$d5s4 ,b n[ !re 

7 scores ( h\ses1 mo/ly ^? ( (ficials & 
manag]s1 "s ( !m really pret5ti\s       
affairs4 ,mac,leod himself liv$ 9 "o (  
!m1 & we c\ld see him ahead ( u1 be+    
driv5 home4  ,! workm5 liv$ f>!r along !
 l9e1 9 a sort ( company t[n1 :i* at    
pres5t greatly resembl$ a ,we/]n        
m9+-camp1 ?\gh ultimately x 0 to be a   
bungal[ t[n4  ,j at pres5t1 h[ev]1 x 0 !
 ,sn$d5 h\se t int]e/$ u mo/1 = we felt 
! ne$ ( gett+ ourselves e/abli%$ 9 ?is  
/range community4 ,x 0 an old-fa%ion$   
f>m-h\se & _h be5 pur*as$ v *eaply by   
,sn$d5 sev]al ye>s be=e4 ,he _h alt]$ x 
& br\ght x up to date1 & ! comb9ation ( 
old & new prov$ to be typical ( ! own] z
 well z ( ! h\se4  ,k5n$y c>ri$ (f well 
! critical situation ( our introduction1
 & we f\nd ourselves welcom$ r ?an      
scrut9iz$ z intrud]s4  ,g>field ,sn$d5 0
 mu* old] ?an 8 second wife1 ,ida4 ,9   
fact1 %e did n seem to be mu* old] ?an  
,sn$d5's daught] ,g]trude1 :om ,mac,leod
 _h already m5tion$--a da%+ "y lady1    
nev] int5d$ by nature to vegetate 9 !   

rural seclusion t h] fa!r _h s\ght be=e 
! adv5t ( ! p[d]-works4 ,mrs4 ,sn$d5 0  
"o ( ^? capable wom5 :o c manage a man  
)\t 8 kn[+ x4 ,inde$1 "o felt t ,sn$d51 
:o 0 some:at ( bo? /ud5t & dream]1 ne$$ 
a manag]4  ,i'm glad y\r tra9 0 on "t1  
bu/l$ ,mrs4 ,sn$d54 ,lun*eon w be ready 
9 a few mom5ts n[4  ,we _h b>ely "t to  
look ab\t be=e ,g]trude l$ u into !     
d9+-room & introduc$ u to ! o!r bo>d]s4 
,kn[+ human nature1 ,k5n$y 0 c>eful to  
be /ruck ) admiration & amazem5t at     
ev]y?+ we _h se5 9 our brief :irl ?r\gh 
,nitropolis4 ,x 0 n a difficult or      
entirely assum$ feel+1 ei!r1 :5 "o      
realiz$ t1 only a few %ort mon?s be=e1 !
 region _h be5 no?+ bett] ?an an almo/  
hopeless wild]ness ( scrub-p9es4  ,we   
did n h to wait long be=e ! subject     
upp]mo/ 9 our m9ds 0 br\ght up--!       
explosions4  ,among ! bo>d]s !re 7 at   
lea/ two :o1 f ! />t1 promis$ to be     
int]e/+ z well z important4 ,"o 0 a     
tall1 sl5d] *ap nam$ ,g>retson1 ^:      
connection ) ! company1 ,i ga!r$ f !    

conv]sation1 took him (t5 on important  
matt]s to ,new ,york4 ,! o!r 0 an old]  
man1 ,jackson1 :o seem$ to be connect$ )
 ! managem5t ( ! works1 a retic5t fell[1
 m giv5 to li/5+ to o!rs ?an to talk+   
himself4  ,no?+ has happ5$ s f> to-day1 
anyh[1 rem>k$ ,g>retson1 tapp+ ! back ( 
8 *air ) 8 knuckle1 z a tok5 ( respect =
 t evil _s :o seems to be exorcis$ by   
knock+ wood4  ,oh1 exclaim$ ,g]trude1 ) 
a little half-suppress$ %udd]1 ,i d hope
 ^? t]rible explosions are at la/ ov]6  
,if ,i _h my way1 ass]t$ ,g>retson1     
savagely1 ,i'd put ?is t[n "u m>tial law
 until !y ,,7 ov]4  ,x may come to t1   
put 9 ,jackson1 quietly4  ,q 9 keep+ ) !
 pres5t t5d5cy ( ! age1 agre$ ,sn$d51 9 
a tone ( philosophical disagreem5t4  ,i 
don't ?9k x makes mu* diff]5ce h[ y     
accompli% ! result1 ,g>field1 *im$ 9 8  
wife1 z long z y accompli% x1 & x is "o 
t %\ld be accompli%$4  ,sn$d5 retreat$  
into ! refuge ( sil5ce4 ,?\gh ?is 0 only
 a bit ( ! conv]sation1 we soon f\nd out
 t he 0 an av[$ pacifi/4 ,g>retson1 on !

 o!r h&1 0 an ard5t milit>i/1 a good    
deal ( a fire-eat]4 ,i wond]$ :e!r !re  
might n be a good deal ( ! poseur ab\t  
him1 too4  ,x ne$$ no second sight to   
discov] t bo? he & ,g]trude 7 deeply    
int]e/$ 9 ea* o!r4 ,g>retson 0 :at      
,broadway w\ld call a live "o1 &1 ?\gh  
!re is no?+ ess5tially wrong 9 t1 ,i    
fanci$ t ,i detect$1 n[ & !n1 an almo/  
mat]nal solicitude on ! "p ( h] /epmo!r1
 :o seem$ to be wat*+ bo? ! "y man & h] 
husb& alt]nately4 ,once ,jackson & ,mrs4
 ,sn$d5 ex*ang$ glances4 ,!re seem$ to  
be "s und]/&+ betwe5 !m4  ,! "t to      
return to ! works 0 approa*+1 & we all  
rose4 ,someh[1 ,g]trude & ,g>retson     
seem$ naturally to gravitate t[>d ! door
 toge!r4  ,"s di/ance f ! h\se !re 0 a  
l>ge b>n4 ,"p ( x _h be5 turn$ into a   
g>age1 :]e ,g>retson kept a fa/ c>4     
,jackson1 also1 _h a road/]4 ,9 fact1 9 
?is new community1 ) its sup]abundant   
new weal?1 ev]ybody _h a c>4  ,k5n$y &  
,i saunt]$ out aft] ! re/4 ,z we turn$  
an angle ( ! h\se we came sudd5ly ^u    

,g>retson 9 8 rac]1 talk+ to ,g]trude4  
,! crun* ( ! gravel "u our feet w>n$ !m 
be=e we saw !m1 b n be=e we c\ld cat* a 
glimpse ( a w>n+ f+] on ! rosy lips (   
,g]trude4 ,z %e saw u %e blu%$ ev] s    
slightly4  ,y'll be late6 %e cri$1      
ha/ily4 ,mr4 ,jackson has be5 gone five 
m9utes4  ,on foot1 return$ ,g>retson1   
non*alantly4 ,i'll ov]take him 9 ?irty  
seconds4 ,nev]!less1 he did n wait      
long]1 b swung up ! road at a pace :i* 0
 ! admiration ( all spe$-lov+           
,nitropolitans4  ,craig _h ord]$ our    
taxicab driv] to /op = u aft] lun*1 &1  
)\t excit+ suspicion1 manag$ to /[ away 
! l>g] "p ( ! cont5ts ( our grips 9 8   
c>4  ,/ill )\t op5ly %[+ our connection 
) ,mac,leod1 ,k5n$y s\ght out ! manag] (
 ! works1 &1 ?\gh scores ( correspond5ts
 & report]s f v>i\s newspap]s _h va9ly  
appli$ = p]mission to inspect ! plant1  
someh[ we seem$ to receive ! fre$om ( ! 
place & )\t excit+ suspicion4 ,craig's  
fir/ move 0 to look ! plant ov]4 ,z we  
approa*$ x our att5tion 0 in/antly      

attract$ to ! num]\s "o-/ory            
galvaniz$-iron build+s t appe>$ to /ret*
 endlessly 9 e direction4 ,!y seem$ to  
be ( a tempor>y nature1 ?\gh !          
p[]-plants1 (fices1 & o!r necess>y      
build+s 7 v sub/antially built4 ,!      
framework ( ! factory-build+s 0 no?+ b  
wood1 cov]$ by iron %ea?+1 & ev5 ! sides
 seem$ to be removable4 ,! floors1      
h[ev]1 7 ( concrete4  ,!y s]ve _!       
purpose well1 obs]v$ ,k5n$y1 z we pick$ 
our way ab\t4 ,explosions at p[d]-mills 
are frequ5t1 anyh[4 ,aft] an explosion  
!re is v little debris to cle> away1 z y
 may imag9e4 ,^! build+s are easily     
repair$ or replac$1 & !y keep a l>ge =ce
 ( m5 = ^! purposes1 z well z mat]ials =
 any em]g5cy4  ,"o felt in/9ctively !   
haz>d ( ! employm5t4 ,ev]y:]e 7 signs   
tell+ :at n & :at to d4 ,"o t /uck 9 my 
m9d 01 ,x is bett] to be c>eful ?an     
sorry4 ,?r\gh\t ! plant at frequ5t      
int]vals 7 fir/-aid /ations ) kits = all
 sorts ( accid5ts1 includ+ respirators1 
= workm5 7 (t5 ov]come by e!r or alcohol

 fumes4 ,ev]y?+ 0 done to m9imize !     
haz>d1 yet "o c\ld n escape ! conviction
 t human life & limb 7 z mu* a co/ (    
production 9 ?is indu/ry z fuel & raw   
mat]ial4  ,once1 9 our w&]+s ab\t !     
plant1 ,i recall we ran across bo?      
,g>retson & ,jackson 9 "o ( ! (fices4   
,!y did n see u1 b seem$ to be talk+ v  
e>ne/ly ab\t some?+4 ,:at x 0 we c\ld n 
guess1 b ?is "t x seem$ to be ,jackson  
:o 0 do+ mo/ ( ! talk+4 ,k5n$y wat*$ !m 
z !y p>t$4  ,!re's some?+ peculi> "u !  
surface ) ^? p at ! bo>d+-h\se1 0 all he
 obs]v$4 ,come2 ov] !re1 ab\t an eigh? (
 a mile1 ,i ?9k ,i see evid5ces ( !     
late/ ( ! explosions4 ,let's look at x4 
,mac,leod _h evid5tly reason$ t1 soon] (
 lat]1 ,k5n$y w\ld appe> 9 ?is "p ( !   
gr\nds1 & z we pass$ "o ( ! %ops he jo9$
 u4  ,y m5tion$ some?+ ab\t rumors (    
poison\s gases1 h9t$ ,craig1 z we walk$ 
along4  ,yes1 ass5t$ ,mac,leod2 ,i don't
 "k :at !re is 9 x4 ,i suppose y "k t   
!re is a v poison\s gas1 c>bon monoxide1
 or c>bonic oxide1 =m$ 9 consid]able    

quantity by ! explosion ( sev]al ( !    
p[d]s commonly us$ 9 %ells4 ,! gas has !
 curi\s p[] ( comb9+ ) ! blood & refus+ 
to let g1 ?us keep+ out ! oxyg5 necess>y
 = life4 ,x may be t t is :at acc\nts = 
:at we've se5--t x is actual poison+ to 
dea? ( m5 n kill$ by ! imm$iate         
explosion4  ,we _h rea*$ ! sc5e ( !     
previ\s day's disa/]4 ,no ef=t _h yet   
be5 made to cle> x up4 ,k5n$y w5t ov] x 
c>efully4 ,:at x 0 he f\nd ,i d n "k1 b 
he _h n sp5t mu* "t be=e he turn$ to me4
  ,walt]1 he direct$1 ,i wi% y w\ld g   
back to ! (fice ne> ! gate1 :]e ,i left 
t p>aph]nalia we br\ght d[n4 ,c>ry x    
ov]--let me see--!re's an op5 space !re 
on t knoll4 ,i'll jo9 y !re4  ,:atev] 0 
9 ! packages 0 bo? bulky & heavy1 & ,i 0
 glad to rea* ! hillside he _h indicat$4
  ,craig 0 wait+ = me !re ) ,mac,leod1 &
 at once op5$ ! packages4 ,f !m he took 
a ?9 /eel rod1 :i* he set up 9 ! c5t] ( 
! op5 space4 ,to x he atta*$ a frame &  
to ! frame :at look$ l f\r rev]s$       
megaphones4 ,atta*$ to ! frame1 :i* 0   

tubul>1 0 an oak box ) a little         
arrangem5t ( h>d rubb] & metal :i* fitt$
 into ! e>s4 ,= "s "t ,k5n$y's face wore
 a set1 f>-away expression1 z if he 7   
/udy+ some?+4  ,! explosions seem always
 to occur 9 ! middle ( ! aft]noon1      
obs]v$ ,mac,leod1 fidget+ appreh5sively4
  ,k5n$y motion$ petulantly = sil5ce4   
,!n sudd5ly he pull$ ! tubes out ( 8 e>s
 & gaz$ ab\t %>ply4  ,!re's some?+ 9 !  
air6 he cri$4 ,i c he> x6  ,mac,leod &  
,i /ra9$ our eyes4 ,!re 0 no?+ visible4 
,?is is an anti-aircraft li/5+-po/1 su* 
z ! ,fr5* use1 expla9$ ,craig1 hurri$ly4
 ,betwe5 ! horns & ! microphone 9 ! box 
y c cat* ! hum ( an eng9e1 ev5 :5 x is  
muffl$4 ,if !re's an a]oplane or a      
,zeppel9 ab\t1 ?is ?+ w\ld locate x4    
,/ill1 !re 0 no?+ t we c\ld see1 ?\gh n[
 ! s\nd 0 j p]ceptible to ! e> if "o    
/ra9$ 8 att5tion a bit4 ,i li/5$4 ,x 0  
pla9 9 ! detector2 yet no?+ 0 visible4  
,:at /range p[] c\ld x be t we c\ld n   
see or feel 9 broad daylight8  ,j !n    
came a l[ rumbl+1 & !n a t]rific ro> f !

 direction ( ! plant4 ,we swung ab\t 9  
"t to see a huge cl\d ( debris lift$    
lit]ally into ! air above ! tree-tops & 
dropp$ to e>? aga94 ,! sil5ce t succe$$ 
! explosion 0 eloqu5t4 ,! phantom       
de/roy] _h deliv]$ 8 bl[ aga94  ,!      
di/ill]y--:]e we make ! d5atur$ alcohol6
 cri$ ,mac,leod1 gaz+ ) t5se face z f   
o!r build+s1 we c\ld see m5 p\r+ =?1    
panic-/rick51 & ! sil5ce 0 punctur$ by  
%\ts4 ,k5n$y b5t ov] 8 detector4  ,t    
same my/]i\s buzz+1 he mutt]$1 only     
fa9t]4  ,toge!r we ha/5$ n[ t[>d !      
di/ill]y1 ano!r ( ^? corrugat$-iron     
build+s4 ,x _h be5 completely demoli%$4 
,"h & !re lay a d>k1 /ill mass4 ,i      
%udd]$4 ,!y 7 m56  ,z we ran t[>d ! ru9 
we cross$ a baseball-field :i* ! company
 _h giv5 ! m54 ,i look$ back = ,k5n$y4  
,he _h paus$ at ! wire back/op beh9d !  
cat*]4 ,some?+ caught 9 ! wires int]e/$ 
him4 ,by ! "t ,i rea*$ him he _h secur$ 
x--a long1 sl5d] metal tube1 clev]ly    
weight$ s z to fall /raight4  ,n a      
hundr$ p] c5t4 ( hits1 evid5tly1 he     

mutt]$4 ,/ill1 "o 0 en\gh4  ,:at is x8  
ask$ ,mac,leod4  ,an inc5di>y pa/ille4  
,on contact1 ! nose burns away any?+ x  
hits1 goes "r ?r\gh corrugat$ iron4 ,x  
c>ries a *>ge ( !rmit ignit$ by ?is     
piece ( magnesium ribbon4 ,y "k :at     
!rmit w p5etrate ) its ?\s&s ( degrees (
 heat4 ,only ! nose ( ?is w5t ?r\gh !   
nett+ & nev] t\*$ a ?+4 ,?is didn't     
explode any?+1 b ano!r "o did4 ,?\s&s ( 
gallons ( alcohol did ! re/4  ,k5n$y _h 
pick$ up 8 o!r package z we ran1 & 0 n[ 
busily unwrapp+ x4 ,i look$ ab\t at !   
cr[d t _h collect$1 & saw t !re 0 no?+  
we c\ld d to help4 ,once ,i caught sight
 ( ,g]trude's face4 ,%e 0 pale1 & seem$ 
eag]ly se>*+ = "s "o4 ,!n1 9 ! cr[d1 ,i 
lo/ h]4 ,i turn$ to ,mac,leod4 ,he 0    
pla9ly ov]:elm$4 ,k5n$y 0 grimly sil5t &
 at "w on some?+ he _h jamm$ into !     
gr\nd4  ,/& back6 he caution$1 z he t\*$
 a mat* to ! ?+4 ,) a muffl$ explosion1 
some?+ :izz$ & %riek$ up into ! air l a 
sky-rocket4  ,f> above1 ,i c\ld n[ see a
 ?+ op5 out l a p>a*ute1 :ile bel[ x    

trail$ some?+ t might h be5 ! /ick ( !  
rocket4 ,eag]ly ,k5n$y foll[$ ! p>a*ute 
z ! w9d waft$ x along & x sank sl[ly to 
! e>?4 ,:51 at la/1 he recov]$ x ,i saw 
t betwe5 ! p>a*ute & ! /ick 0 fa/5$ a   
small1 peculi> cam]a4  ,a ,s*eimpflug   
multiple cam]a1 he expla9$ z he seiz$ x 
almo/ rav5\sly4 ,is !re a place 9 t[n   
:]e ,i c get ! films 9 ?is develop$     
quickly8  ,mac,leod1 himself excit$ n[1 
hurri$ u f ! sc5e ( ! explosion to a    
local drug-/ore1 :i* comb9$ mo/ ( !     
functions ( a g5]al /ore1 ev5 be+ able  
to improvise a d>k-room 9 :i* ,k5n$y    
c\ld "w4  ,x 0 "s "t aft] ! excitem5t   
ov] ! explosion _h quiet$ d[n t         
,mac,leod & ,i1 /&+ impati5tly be=e !   
drug-/ore1 saw ,sn$d5 wildly te>+ d[n ! 
/reet 9 8 c>4 ,he saw u & pull$ up at ! 
curb ) a j]k4  ,:]e's ,g]trude8 he %\t$1
 wildly4 ,has any "o se5 my daught]8    
,brea?lessly he expla9$ t he _h be5 out1
 _h return$ to f9d 8 h\se des]t$1       
,g]trude gone1 8 wife gone1 ev5         
,jackson's c> gone f ! b>n4 ,he _h be5  

to ! works4 ,nei!r ,g>retson nor        
,jackson _h be5 se5 s9ce ! excitem5t ( !
 explosion1 !y told him4 ,g>retson's    
rac] 0 gone1 too4 ,!re seem$ to h be5 a 
sort ( family explosion1 also4  ,k5n$y  
_h he>d ! l\d talk+ & _h left 8 "w to ! 
druggi/ to c>ry on & jo9$ u4 ,!re 0 no  
concealm5t n[ ( our connection )        
,mac,leod1 = x 0 to him t e "o 9 t[n    
came :5 9 tr\ble4  ,9 almo/ no "t1 s    
accurately did he keep 8 f+]s on ! fev]$
 pulse ( ,nitropolis1 ,mac,leod _h f\nd 
out t ,g]trude _h be5 se5 driv+ away f !
 company's gr\nds ) "s "o 9 ,g>retson's 
c>1 probably ,g>retson himself4 ,jackson
 _h be5 se5 hurry+ d[n ! /reet4 ,"s "o  
else _h se5 ,ida ,sn$d5 9 ,jackson's c>1
 alone4  ,mean:ile1 ov] ! wire1         
,mac,leod _h s5t out descriptions ( !   
f\r p & ! two c>s1 9 ! hope ( int]cept+ 
!m be=e !y c\ld be plung$ into !        
obscurity ( any ne>-by city4 ,n cont5t )
 t1 ,mac,leod & ,k5n$y />t$ out 9 !     
=m]'s c>1 :ile ,i climb$ 9 ) ,sn$d51 &  
we began a sy/ematic se>* ( ! roads out 

( ,nitropolis4  ,z we sp$ along1 ,i c\ld
 n help feel+1 ?\gh ,i said no?+1 t1    
someh[1 ! /range disappe>ances mu/ h    
some?+ to d ) ! my/]i\s phantom de/roy]4
 ,i did n tell ev5 ,sn$d5 ab\t ! little 
t ,k5n$y _h discov]$1 = ,i _h le>n$ t x 
0 be/ to let ,craig himself tell1 at 8  
own "t & 9 8 own way4 ,b ! man seem$    
frantic 9 8 se>*1 & ,i c\ld n help !    
impression t !re 0 some?+1 p]haps only a
 suspicion1 t he knew :i* might %$ "s   
light4  ,we 7 com+ d[n ! riv]1 or1 r1 ! 
bay1 aft] a fruitless se>* ( unfrequ5t$ 
roads & 7 approa*+ ! des]t$ ,old ,grove 
,amusem5t ,p>k1 to :i* excursions us$1  
ye>s ago1 to come 9 boats4 ,no "o c\ld  
make x pay1 & x 0 clos$ & go+ to ru94   
,!re _h be5 "s h9t t ,g>retson's rac]   
might h disappe>$ d[n ?is unfrequ5t$    
riv] road4  ,z we came to a turn 9 !    
road1 we c\ld see ,k5n$y & ,mac,leod 9  
_! c>1 com+ up4 ,in/ead ( keep+ on1     
h[ev]1 !y turn$ into ! grove1 ,k5n$y    
lean+ f> ov] ! runn+-bo>d z ,mac,leod   
drove sl[ly1 foll[+ 8 directions1 z ?\gh

 ,craig 7 trac+ some?+4  ,) a hurri$    
exclamation ( surprise1 ,sn$d5 gave our 
c> ! gas & %ot ahead1 sw++ ar\nd aft]   
!m4 ,!y 7 head$1 foll[+ "s k9d (        
tire-tracks1 t[>d an old m]ry-g-r\nd t 0
 dismantl$ & all bo>d$ up4 ,!y he>d u   
com+ & /opp$4  ,has any "o told y t     
,g>retson's c> w5t d[n ! riv] road1 too8
 call$ ,sn$d51 anxi\sly4  ,no2 b "s "o  
?\ght he saw ,jackson's c> come d[n "h1 
call$ back ,mac,leod4  ,jackson's8      
exclaim$ ,sn$d54  ,maybe bo? are "r1 ,i 
v5tur$1 z we came clos]4 ,:at made y    
turn 9 "h8'  ,k5n$y ?\ght he saw fre%   
tire-tracks runn+ into ! grove4  ,we 7  
all out ( our c>s by ?is "t1 & exam9+ ! 
s(t roadway ) ,craig4 ,x 0 evid5t to any
 "o t a c> _h be5 run 91 & n s v long   
ago1 9 ! direction ( ! m]ry-g-r\nd4  ,we
 foll[$ ! tracks on foot1 b5d+ ab\t !   
huge circle ( a build+ until we came to 
! side away f ! road4 ,! tracks seem$ to
 run "r 9 "u ! bo>ds4  ,k5n$y approa*$ &
 t\*$ ! bo>ds4 ,!y 7 loose4 ,"s "o _h   
evid5tly be5 !re1 _h tak5 !m d[n1 & put 

!m up4 ,9 fact1 by ! m>ks on !m1 x seem$
 z ?\gh he _h made a practice ( do+ s4  
,mac,leod & ,k5n$y unhook$ ! bo>d+1 :ile
 ,sn$d5 look$ on 9 a sort ( daze4 ,!y _h
 tak5 d[n only two or ?ree sections1 :i*
 indicat$ t t :ole side might simil>ly  
be remov$1 :5 ,i he>d a l[1 />tl$       
exclamation f ,sn$d54  ,we pe]$ 94 ,!re1
 9 ! half-light ( ! gloomy int]ior1 we  
c\ld see a c>4 ,be=e we knew x ,sn$d5 _h
 d>t$ pa/ u4 ,an in/ant lat] ,i di/+ui%$
 :at 8 m s5sitive eye _h se5--a woman1  
all alone 9 ! c>1 motionless4  ,ida6 he 
cri$4  ,!re 0 no answ]4  ,%e--%e's dead6
 he %\t$4  ,x 0 only too true4 ,!re 0   
,ida ,sn$d51 seat$ 9 ,jackson's c> 9 !  
old des]t$ build+1 all %ut up--dead4    
,yet h] face 0 z p9k z if %e 7 alive & !
 blood _h be5 :ipp$ into h] *eeks by a  
walk 9 ! cold w9d4  ,we look$ at "o     
ano!r1 at a loss4 ,h[ did %e get !re--& 
:y8 ,%e mu/ h come !re volunt>ily4 ,no  
"o _h se5 any "o else ) h] 9 ! c>4      
,sn$d5 0 n[ almo/ beside himself4       
,mis=tunes nev] come s+ly1 he wail$4 ,my

 daught] ,g]trude gone--n[ my wife dead4
 ,conf\nd t "y fell[ ,g>retson--&       
,jackson1 too6 ,:]e are !y8 ,:y h !y    
fl$8 ,! sc\ndrels--!y h /ol5 my :ole    
family4 ,oh1 :at %all ,i d8 :at %all ,i 
d8  ,try+ to quiet ,sn$d51 at ! same "t 
we began to look ab\t ! build+4 ,on "o  
side 0 a small /ove1 9 :i* 7 /ill ! dy+ 
coals ( a fire4 ,ne> by 7 a "w-b5*1 "s  
tools1 pieces ( wire1 & o!r mat]ial4    
,scatt]$ ab\t 7 pieces ( mat]ial t look$
 l celluloid4 ,"s "o evid5tly us$ !     
place z a secret work%op4 ,k5n$y pick$  
up a piece ( ! celluloid-l /uff &       
c>efully t\*$ a mat* to x4 ,x did n burn
 rapidly z celluloid does1 & ,craig     
seem$ m ?an ev] int]e/$4 ,mac,leod      
himself 0 no mean detective4 ,accu/om$  
to action1 he _h an idea ( :at to d4    
,wait "h6 he call$ back1 da%+ out4 ,i'm 
go+ to ! ne>e/ h\se up ! road = help4   
,i'll be back 9 a mom5t4  ,we he>d him  
back & turn 8 c> & %oot away4 ,mean:ile1
 ,k5n$y 0 look+ ov] c>efully ,jackson's 
road/]4 ,he tapp$ ! gas-tank 9 ! re>1 !n

 op5$ x4 ,!re 0 n a drop ( gas 9 x4 ,he 
lift$ up ! hood & look$ inside at !     
motor4 ,:atev] he saw !re1 he said no?+4
 ,f9ally1 by siphon+ "s gas f ,sn$d5's  
tank & mak+ "s adju/m5ts1 he seem$ to h 
! c> 9 a condition aga9 = x to run4 ,he 
0 j ab\t to />t x :5 ,mac,leod return$1 
c>ry+ a can>y-bird 9 a cage4  ,i've     
telephon$ to t[n1 he ann\nc$4 ,"s "o w  
be "h soon n[4 ,mean:ile1 an idea       
occurr$ to me1 & ,i borr[$ ?is bird4    
,let me see :e!r ! idea is any good4    
,k5n$y1 by ?is "t1 _h />t$ ! eng9e4     
,mac,leod plac$ ! bright little song/]  
ne> ! /ove on ! "w-b5* & began to wat* x
 n>r[ly4  ,m ?an ev] up 9 ! air ov] !   
my/]y1 ,i c\ld only wat* ,k5n$y &       
,mac,leod1 ea* foll[+ 8 own l9es4  ,x   
might1 p]haps1 h be5 t5 m9utes aft]     
,mac,leod return$1 & dur+ t "t he _h    
nev] tak5 8 eyes (f ! bird1 :5 ,i began 
to feel a little dr[sy4 ,a ^w f         
,mac,leod r\s$ me4  ,!re's c>bon        
monoxide 9 ! air1 ,k5n$y6 he exclaim$4  
,y "k h[ ?is gas affects birds4  ,k5n$y 

look$ ov] int5tly4 ,! can>y _h begun to 
%[ evid5t signs ( di/ress ov] some?+4   
,x mu/ be t ?is /ove is defective1      
pursu$ ,mac,leod1 pick+ up ! poor little
 bird & c>ry+ x quickly into ! fre% air1
 :]e x c\ld rega9 its =m] livel9ess4    
,!n1 :5 he return$1 he add$1 ,!re mu/ be
 "s defect 9 ! /ove or ! draught t makes
 x s5d out ! poison\s gas4  ,!re's "s   
gas1 agre$ ,k5n$y4 ,x mu/ h cle>$ away  
mo/ly1 ?\gh1 or we c\ldn't /& x         
ourselves4  ,craig cont9u$ to look ab\t 
! c> & ! build+1 9 ! va9 hope ( discov]+
 "s o!r clue4 ,_h ,mrs4 ,sn$d5 be5 kill$
 by ! c>bonic oxide8 ,0 x a case ( gas  
poison+8 ,!n1 too1 :y _h %e be5 "h at   
all8 ,:o _h %ut h] up8 ,_h %e be5       
ov]come fir/ &1 9 a /upor1 be5 unable to
 move to save h]self8 ,above all1 :at _h
 ?is to d ) ! my/]i\s phantom slay] t _h
 wreck$ s mu* ( ! works 9 less ?an a    
week8  ,x 0 q late 9 ! aft]noon :51 at  
la/1 p came f ! t[n & took away bo? !   
body ( ,mrs4 ,sn$d5 & ,jackson's c>4    
,sn$d5 c\ld only />e & "w 8 f+]s1 & aft]

 we _h se5 him safely 9 ! c>e ( "s "o we
 c\ld tru/ ,k5n$y1 ,mac,leod1 & ,i      
climb$ into ,mac,leod's c> sil5tly4     
,x's too deep = me1 ackn[l$g$ ,mac,leod4
 ,:at %all we d next8  ,surely t fell[  
mu/ h my pictures develop$ by ?is "t1   
consid]$ ,k5n$y4 ,%oot back !re4  ,!y   
came out beautifully--all except "o1    
report$ ! druggi/1 :o 0 some:at ( a     
cam]a fi5d himself4 ,t's a wond]ful     
sy/em1 sir4  ,k5n$y ?ank$ him = 8 tr\ble
 & took ! pr9ts4 ,) c>e he piec$ !m     
toge!r1 until he _h sev]al successive   
panoramas ( ! c\ntry tak5 f v>i\s       
elevations ( ! p>a*ute4 ,!n1 ) a        
magnify+-glass1 he w5t ov] ea* section  
m9utely4  ,look at t6 he po9t$ out at   
la/ ) ! %>p tip ( a p5cil on "o picture4
  ,9 :at look$ l an op5 space among "s  
trees 0 a t9y figure ( a man4 ,x seem$ z
 if he 7 hack+ at some?+ ) an ax4 ,:at !
 some?+ 0 did n appe> 9 ! picture4  ,i  
%\ld say t x 0 half a mile1 p]haps a    
mile1 f>!r away ?an t grove1 comm5t$    
,k5n$y1 mak+ a r\gh calculation4  ,on ! 

old ,davis f>m1 consid]$ ,mac,leod4     
,look & see if y c't make out ! ru9s ( a
 h\se some:]e ne>-by4 ,x 0 burn$ _m ye>s
 ago4  ,yes1 yes1 return$ ,k5n$y1       
excit$ly2 !re's ! place6 ,d y ?9k we c  
get !re 9 a c> be=e x's d>k8  ,easily1  
repli$ ,mac,leod4  ,x 0 only a matt] (  
m9utes be=e we ?ree 7 pok+ ab\t 9 a     
tangle ( wood & field1 seek+ to locate !
 spot :]e ,k5n$y's app>atus _h          
photograph$ ! lone axman4  ,at la/1 9 a 
l>ge1 cle>$ field1 we came ^u a mo/     
peculi> heap ( debris4 ,z ne>ly z ,i    
c\ld make out1 x 0 a pile ( junk1 b mo/ 
int]e/+ junk4 ,practically all ( x      
consi/$ 9 brok5 bits ( ! celluloid-l    
/uff we _h se5 9 ! ab&on$ build+4 ,twi/$
 inextricably ab\t 7 /eel wires & bits (
 all sorts ( mat]ial4 ,9 ! mid/ ( !     
wreckage 0 some?+ t look$ = all ! _w l !
 rema9s ( a gas-motor4 ,x 0 n ru/$1     
ei!r1 :i* indicat$ t x _h be5 put !re   
rec5tly4  ,z he look$ at x1 ,craig's    
face display$ a smile ( satisfaction4   
,looks z ?\gh x might h be5 an a]oplane 

( ! tractor type1 he v\*saf$1 f9ally4   
,surely !re c\ldn't h be5 an accid5t1   
object$ ,mac,leod4 ,no aviator c\ld h   
liv$ ?r\gh x1 & !re's no body4  ,no2 x 0
 purposely de/roy$1 cont9u$ ,craig4 ,x 0
 l&$ "h f some:]e else = t purpose4 ,t 0
 :at ! man 9 ! picture 0 do+ ) ! ax4    
,aft] ! la/ explosion some?+ happ5$4 ,he
 br\ght ! ma*9e "h to de/roy ! evid5ce4 
,b1 p]si/$ ,mac,leod1 if !re _h be5 an  
a]oplane hov]+ ab\t we %\ld h se5 x 9 ! 
air1 pass+ ov] ! works at ! "t ( !      
explosion4  ,k5n$y pick$ ! pieces1      
significantly4  ,"s "o ab\t "h has kept 
abrea/ ( ! times1 if n ahead4 ,see2 !   
planes 7 ( ?is non-inflammable celluloid
 t made x virtually transp>5t & visible 
only at a few hundr$ feet 9 ! air4 ,!   
aviator c\ld fly l[ & s drop ^? pa/illes
 accurately--& unse54 ,! eng9e _h "o (  
^? new muffl]-boxes4 ,he w\ld h be5     
unhe>d1 too1 except = t delicate air-%ip
 detector4  ,mac,leod & ,i c\ld b />e at
 ea* o!r1 agha/4 ,)\t a d\bt x 0 9 ! old
 m]ry-g-r\nd build+ t ! phantom aviator 

_h e/abli%$ 8 hang>4 ,:at ! connection 0
 betwe5 ! trag$y 9 ! ,sn$d5 family & !  
trag$y 9 ! p[d]-works we did n "k1 b1 at
 lea/1 n[ we knew t !re 0 "s connection4
  ,x 0 gr[+ d>k rapidly1 &1 ) "s        
difficulty1 we retrac$ our /eps to !    
po9t :]e we _h left ! c>4 ,we :irl$ back
 to ! t[n1 &1 ( c\rse1 to ! ,sn$d5 h\se4
  ,sn$d5 0 sitt+ 9 ! p>lor :5 we arriv$1
 by ! body ( 8 wife1 />+1 spee*less1    
/raight be=e him1 :ile sev]al neighbors 
7 ga!r$ ab\t1 try+ to console him4 ,we  
_h sc>cely ent]$ :5 a mess5g]-boy came  
up ! pa? f ! gate4 ,bo? ,k5n$y &        
,mac,leod turn$ t[>d him1 expect+ "s    
reply to ! num]\s messages ( al>m s5t   
out e>li] 9 ! aft]noon4  ,telegram =    
,mrs4 ,sn$d51 ann\nc$ ! boy4  ,,mrs4    
,sn$d58 qu]i$ ,k5n$y1 surpris$1 !n      
quickly3 ,oh yes1 t's all "r4 ,i'll take
 c>e ( x4  ,he sign$ = ! message1 tore x
 op51 & read x4 ,= a mom5t 8 face1 :i*  
_h be5 cl\d$1 smoo!d out1 & he took a   
c\ple ( turns up & d[n ! hall1 z ?\gh   
undecid$4 ,f9ally he crumpl$ ! telegram 

ab/ract$ly & %ov$ x into 8 pocket4 ,we  
foll[$ him z he w5t into ! p>lor & /ood 
= sev]al mom5ts1 look+ fix$ly on !      
/rangely flu%$ face ( ,mrs4 ,sn$d54     
,mac,leod1 he said1 f9ally1 turn+       
gravely t[>d u1 &1 = ! pres5t1 seem+ to 
ignore ! pres5ce ( ! o!rs1 ?is amaz+    
s]ies ( crimes has br\ght home to me    
=cibly ! al>m+ possibilities ( apply+   
mod]n sci5tific devices to crim9al uses4
 ,new modes & processes seem to br+ new 
m5aces4  ,l c>bon-monoxide poison+8     
sugge/$ ,mac,leod4 ,( c\rse x has long  
be5 kn[n z a h>mful gas1 b--  ,let u    
see1 int]rupt$ ,k5n$y4 ,walt]1 y 7 !re  
:5 ,i exam9$ ,jackson's c>4 ,!re 0 n a  
drop ( gasol5e 9 ! tank1 y w recall4    
,ev5 ! wat] 9 ! radiator 0 l[4 ,i lift$ 
! hood4 ,"s "o mu/ h tamp]$ ) !         
c>buretor4 ,x 0 adju/$ s t ! am\nt ( air
 9 ! mixture 0 r$uc$4 ,m ?an t1 ,i don't
 "k :e!r y notic$ x or n1 b ! sp>k & gas
 7 set s t1 :5 ,i did put gasol5e 9 !   
tank1 ,i _h b to turn ! eng9e ov] & x   
w5t4 ,9 o!r words1 t c> _h be5 /&+ !re1 

! eng9e runn+1 until x simply /opp$ =   
want ( fuel4 ,he paus$ :ile we li/5$    
int5tly1 !n resum$4 ,! gas-eng9e &      
gas-motor h br\ght ) !m ano!r ( ^?      
unanticipat$ m5aces ( :i* ,i spoke4     
,:5ev] ! explosion ( ! combu/ible       
mixture is incomplete or ( mod]at$      
int5sity a gas ( :i* little is kn[n may 
be =m$ 9 consid]able quantities4  ,9 ?is
 case1 z 9 sev]al o!rs t h come to my   
att5tion1 vapors aris+ f ! combu/ion mu/
 h emitt$ c]ta9 noxi\s products4 ,!     
fumes t caus$ ,ida ,sn$d5's dea? 7 n (  
c>bon monoxide f ! /ove1 ,mac,leod4 ,!y 
7 splitt+-products ( gasol5e1 :i* are s 
new to sci5ce t !y h n yet be5 nam$4    
,mrs4 ,sn$d5's dea?1 ,i may say = !     
b5efit ( ! coron]1 0 due to ! absorption
 ( "s ( ^! unid5tifi$ gase\s poisons4   
,!y are z deadly z a knife-?ru/ ?r\gh ! 
he>t1 "u c]ta9 conditions4 ,due to !    
non-oxidation ( "s ( ! elem5ts (        
gasol5e1 !y escape f ! exhau/ ( e runn+ 
gas-eng9e4 ,9 ! op5 air1 :]e only a :iff
 or two w\ld be inhale n[ & !n1 !y are n

 dang]\s4 ,b 9 a clos$ room !y may kill 
9 an incr$ibly %ort "t4 ,9 fact1 !      
condition has giv5 rise to an entirely  
new ph5om5on :i* "s "o has nam$         
'petromortis4'  ,petromortis8 repeat$   
,sn$d51 :o1 = ! fir/ "t1 began to %[    
int]e/ 9 :at 0 go+ on ab\t him4 ,!n x 0 
an accid5t8  ,i did n say x 0 an        
accid5t1 correct$ ,craig4 ,!re is an old
 adage t murd] w out4 ,& ?is expression 
( human exp]i5ce is only repeat$ 9 :at  
we mod]n sci5tific detectives are do+4  
,no man b5t on ! commission ( a crime c 
s arrange ! circum/ances ( t crime t x w
 aft]w>d appe>1 po9t by po9t1 z an      
accid5t4  ,k5n$y _h u all foll[+ him    
brea?lessly n[4  ,i d n consid] x an    
accid5t1 he w5t on1 rapidly piec+ toge!r
 ! facts z we _h f\nd !m4 ,ida ,sn$d5 0 
kill$ because %e 0 gett+ too close to "s
 "o's secret4 ,ev5 at lun*eon1 ,i c\ld  
see t %e _h discov]$ ,g]trude's atta*m5t
 = ,g>retson4 ,h[ %e he>d t1 foll[+ !   
excitem5t ( ! explosion ?is aft]noon1   
,g]trude & ,g>retson _h disappe>$1 ,i d 

n pret5d to "k4 ,b x is evid5t t %e did 
he>1 t %e w5t out & took ,jackson's c>1 
probably to pursue !m4 ,if we h he>d t  
!y w5t by ! riv] road1 %e might h he>d  
x1 too4  ,9 all probability %e came     
along j 9 "t to surprise "s "o work+ on 
! o!r side ( ! old m]ry-g-r\nd /ructure4
 ,!re c be no reason to conceal ! fact  
long]4 ,f t des]t$ build+ "s "o 0 daily 
laun*+ a newly design$ invisible        
a]oplane4 ,z ,mrs4 ,sn$d5 came along1 %e
 mu/ h be5 j 9 "t to see t p]son at 8   
secret hang>4 ,:at happ5$ ,i d n "k1    
except t %e mu/ h run ! c> (f ! riv]    
road & into ! build+4 ,! p]son :om %e   
f\nd mu/ h sudd5ly conceiv$ a me?od (   
gett+ h] out ( ! way & mak+ x look l an 
accid5t ( "s k9d1 p]haps p]suad$ h] to  
/ay 9 ! c> ) ! eng9e runn+1 :ile he w5t 
(f & de/roy$ ! a]oplane :i* 0 damn+     
evid5ce n[4  ,/>tl+ z 0 ! revelation (  
an actual phantom de/roy]1 our m9ds 7 m 
ar\s$ z to :o might be ! crim9al :o _h  
employ$ su* an eng9e ( dea?4  ,k5n$y    
drew f 8 pocket ! telegram :i* _h j     

arriv$1 & spread x out flat be=e u on a 
table4 ,x 0 dat$ ,philadelphia1 & read3 
,,mrs4 ,,ida ,,sn$d51 ,nitropolis3      
,g>retson & ,g]trude 7 m>ri$ to-day4 ,h 
trac$ !m to ! ,wolcott4 ,try to         
reconcile ,mr4 ,sn$d54  ,,hunt]         
,,jackson4  ,i saw at once t "p ( !     
/ory4 ,x 0 j a pla9 love-affair t _h    
end$ 9 an elopem5t at a conv5i5t "t4 ,! 
fire-eat+ ,g>retson _h be5 afraid ( !   
,sn$d5s & ,jackson1 :o 0 _! fri5d4 ,be=e
 ,i c\ld ev5 ?9k fur!r1 ,k5n$y _h drawn 
out ! films tak5 by ! rocket-cam]a4  ,) 
! aid ( a magnify+-glass1 he 0 say+1 ,i 
c get j en\gh ( ! lone figure 9 ?is     
picture to id5tify x4 ,^! are ! crimes (
 a craz$ pacifi/1 "o ^: m9d _h s long   
dwelt on ! horrors (--  ,look out6 %\t$ 
,mac,leod1 leap+ 9 front ( ,k5n$y4  ,!  
/ra9 ( ! revelation _h be5 too mu*4     
,sn$d5--a rav+ maniac--_h reel$ =w>d1   
wildly & impot5tly1 at ! man :o _h      
expos$ him4     ,,vi  ,,! ,,beauty      
,,mask   ,oh1 ,mr4 ,jameson1 if !y c\ld 
only wake h] up--f9d out :at is !       

matt]--d some?+6 ,?is susp5se is kill+  
bo? "m & myself4  ,sc5t+ a good feature 
/ory1 my city editor _h s5t me out on an
 assignm5t1 my sole equipm5t be+ a      
clipp+ ( two p>agraphs f ! morn+ ,/>4   
,,girl ,,9 ,,coma ,,six ,,days--,,%[s   
,,no ,,sign ,,( ,,revival  ,virg9ia     
,blakeley1 ! n9ete5-ye>-old daught] (   
,mrs4 ,/u>t ,blakeley1 ( ,riv]side      
,drive1 :o has be5 9 a /ate ( coma = six
 days1 /ill %[s no sign ( return+       
consci\sness4  ,ev] s9ce ,monday "s     
memb] ( h] family has be5 con/antly     
beside h]4 ,h] "m & si/] h bo? va9ly    
tri$ to coax h] back to consci\sness1 b 
_! ef=ts h n met ) ! slighte/ response4 
,dr4 ,calv]t ,haynes1 ! family          
physician1 & sev]al speciali/s :o h be5 
call$ 9 consultation1 are completely    
baffl$ by ! /range malady4  ,(t5 ,i _h  
read ( cases ( morbid sleep la/+ = days 
& ev5 = weeks4 ,b ?is 0 ! fir/ case ,i  
_h ev] actually enc\nt]$ & ,i 0 glad to 
take ! assignm5t4  ,! ,blakeleys1 z e "o
 knew1 _h inh]it$ f ,/u>t ,blakeley a v 

consid]able =tune 9 real e/ate 9 "o ( ! 
mo/ rapidly develop+ sections ( upp]    
,new ,york1 & on ! dea? ( _! "m ! two   
girls1 ,virg9ia & ,cyn?ia1 w\ld be      
numb]$ among ! weal?ie/ heiresses ( !   
city4  ,!y liv$ 9 a big s&/one mansion  
front+ ! ,hudson & x 0 ) "s misgiv+ t ,i
 s5t up my c>d4 ,bo? ,mrs4 ,blakeley &  
h] o!r daught]1 h[ev]1 met me 9 !       
reception-room1 ?9k+1 p]haps1 f :at ,i  
_h writt5 on ! c>d1 t ,i might h "s     
assi/ance to (f]4  ,mrs4 ,blakeley 0 a  
well-pres]v$ lady1 pa/ middle-age1 & v  
n]v\s4  ,m]cy1 ,cyn?ia6 %e exclaim$1 z  
,i expla9$ my mission1 x's ano!r "o ( ^?
 report]s4 ,no1 ,i _c say any?+--n a ^w4
 ,i don't "k any?+4 ,see ,doctor        
,haynes4 ,i--  ,b1 "m1 int]pos$ ,cyn?ia1
 m calmly1 ! ?+ is 9 ! pap]s4 ,x may be 
t "s "o :o reads ( x may "k ( some?+ t c
 be done4 ,:o c tell8  ,well1 ,i won't  
say any?+1 p]si/$ ! eld] woman4 ,i don't
 l all ?is publicity4 ,did ! newspap]s  
ev] d any?+ b h>m to y\r poor de> fa!r8 
,no1 ,i won't talk4 ,x won't d u a bit (

 good4 ,& y1 ,cyn?ia1 _h bett] be       
c>eful4  ,mrs4 ,blakeley back$ out ( !  
door1 b ,cyn?ia1 :o 0 a few ye>s old]   
?an h] si/]1 _h evid5tly acquir$        
indep5d5ce4 ,at lea/ %e felt capable (  
cop+ ) an ord9>y report] :o look$ no m  
=midable ?an myself4  ,x is q possible t
 "s "o :o kn[s ab\t su* cases may le>n (
 ?is1 ,i urg$4  ,%e hesitat$ z h] "m    
disappe>$1 & look$ at me a mom5t1 !n1 h]
 feel+s gett+ ! bett] ( h]1 bur/ =? ) ! 
/range appeal ,i h already quot$4  ,x 0 
z ?\gh ,i _h come at j an opportune     
mom5t :5 %e mu/ talk to "s outsid] to   
relieve h] p5t-up feel+s4  ,by an adroit
 "q "h & !re1 z we /ood 9 !             
reception-hall1 ,i succe$$ 9 gett+ !    
/ory1 :i* seem$ to be m ( human int]e/  
?an ( news4 ,i ev5 manag$ to secure a   
photograph ( ,virg9ia z %e 0 be=e !     
/range sleep fell on h]4  ,briefly1 z h]
 si/] told x1 ,virg9ia 0 engag$ to      
,hampton ,haynes1 a "y m$ical /ud5t at !
 college :]e 8 fa!r 0 a pr(essor (      
diseases ( ! he>t4 ,! ,hayneses 7 ( a   

f9e ,s\!rn family :i* _h nev] recov]$ f 
! w> & _h f9ally come to ,new ,york4 ,! 
fa!r1 ,dr4 ,calv]t ,haynes1 9 addition  
to be+ a well-kn[n physician1 0 ! family
 physician ( ! ,blakeleys1 z ,i already 
knew4 ,twice ! date ( ! m>riage has be5 
set1 only to be po/pon$1 add$ ,cyn?ia   
,blakeley4 ,we don't "k :at to d4 ,&    
,hampton is frantic4  ,!n ?is is really 
! second attack ( ! morbid sleep8 ,i    
qu]i$4  ,yes--9 a few weeks4 ,only ! o!r
 wasn't s long--n m ?an a day4  ,%e said
 x 9 a hesitat+ mann] :i* ,i c\ld n     
acc\nt =4 ,ei!r %e ?\ght !re might be   
some?+ m back ( x or %e recall$ h] "m's 
av]sion to report]s & did n "k :e!r %e 0
 say+ too mu* or n4  ,d y really fe> t  
!re is some?+ wrong8 ,i ask$1           
significantly1 ha/ily *oos+ ! =m]       
explanation4  ,cyn?ia ,blakeley look$   
quickly at ! door ?r\gh :i* h] "m _h    
retreat$4  ,i--,i don't "k1 %e repli$1  
tremul\sly4 ,i don't "k :y ,i am talk+  
to y4 ,i'm s afraid1 too1 t ! newspap]s 
may say some?+ t isn't true4  ,y w\ld l 

to get at ! tru?1 if ,i promise to hold 
! /ory back8 ,i p]si/$1 cat*+ h] eye4   
,yes1 %e answ]$1 9 a l[ tone1 b-- !n    
/opp$4  ,i w ask my fri5d1 ,pr(essor    
,k5n$y1 at ! univ]sity1 to come "h1 ,i  
urg$4  ,y "k him8 %e ask$1 eag]ly4 ,he w
 come8  ,)\t a d\bt1 ,i reassur$1 wait+ 
= h] to say no m1 b pick+ up ! telephone
 receiv] on a /& 9 ! hall4  ,=tunately  
,i f\nd ,craig at 8 laboratory & a few  
ha/y words 7 all t 0 necess>y to cat* 8 
int]e/4  ,i mu/ tell "m1 ,cyn?ia cri$1  
excit$ly1 z ,i hung up ! receiv]4       
,surely %e _c object to t4 ,w y wait "h8
  ,z ,i wait$ = ,craig1 ,i tri$ to      
puzzle ! case out = myself4 ,?\gh ,i    
knew no?+ ab\t x z yet1 ,i felt sure t  
,i _h n made a mi/ake & t !re 0 "s my/]y
 "h4  ,sudd5ly ,i became aw>e t ! two   
wom5 7 talk+ 9 ! next room1 ?\gh too l[ 
= me to cat* :at !y 7 say+4 ,x 0 evid5t1
 h[ev]1 t ,cyn?ia 0 hav+ "s difficulty 9
 p]suad+ h] "m t ev]y?+ 0 all "r4       
,well1 ,cyn?ia1 ,i he>d h] "m say1      
f9ally1 z %e left ! room = "o f>!r back1

 ,i hope x w be all "r--t is all ,i c   
say4  ,:at 0 x t ,mrs4 ,blakeley s fe>$8
 ,0 x m]ely ! unpleasant notoriety8 ,"o 
c\ld n help ! feel+ t !re 0 some?+ m t  
%e suspect$1 p]haps knew1 b w\ld n tell4
 ,yet1 app>5tly1 x 0 aside f h] desire  
to h h] daught] re/or$ to normal4 ,%e 0 
at sea1 h]self1 ,i felt4  ,poor de> "m6 
murmur$ ,cyn?ia1 rejo9+ me 9 a few      
mom5ts4 ,%e h>dly kn[s j :at x is %e    
does want-except t we want ,virg9ia well
 aga94  ,we _h n long to wait = ,craig4 
,:at ,i _h told him ov] ! telephone _h  
be5 q en\gh to ar\se 8 curiosity4  ,bo? 
,mrs4 ,blakeley & ,cyn?ia met him1 at   
fir/ a little fe>fully1 b quickly       
reassur$ by 8 mann]1 z well z my promise
 to see t no?+ appe>$ 9 ! ,/> :i* w\ld  
be di/a/eful4  ,oh1 if "s "o c\ld only  
br+ back our little girl6 cri$ ,mrs4    
,blakeley1 ) suppress$ emotion1 lead+ ! 
way ) h] daught] up-/airs4  ,x 0 only = 
a mom5t t ,i c\ld see ,craig alone to   
expla9 ! impressions ,i _h receiv$1 b x 
0 en\gh4  ,i'm glad y call$ me1 he      

:isp]$4 ,!re is some?+ que]4  ,we foll[$
 !m up to ! da9ty b$room 9 fl[]$ enamel 
:]e ,virg9ia ,blakeley lay1 & x 0 !n = !
 fir/ "t t we saw h]4 ,k5n$y drew a *air
 up beside ! little :ite b$ & w5t to "w 
almo/ z ?\gh he _h be5 a physician      
himself4  ,p>tly f :at ,i obs]v$ myself 
& p>tly f :at he told me aft]w>d1 ,i    
%all try to describe ! peculi> condition
 9 :i* %e 04  ,%e lay !re le?>gic1      
sc>cely brea?+4 ,once %e _h be5 a tall1 
sl5d]1 fair girl1 ) a sort ( wild grace4
 ,n[ %e seem$ to be completely alt]$4 ,i
 c\ld n help ?9k+ ( ! contra/ betwe5 h] 
looks n[ & ! photograph 9 my pocket4  ,n
 only 0 h] respiration sl[1 b h] pulse 0
 almo/ imp]ceptible1 less ?an =ty a     
m9ute4 ,h] temp]ature 0 f> bel[ normal1 
& h] blood pressure l[4 ,once %e _h     
seem$ fully a woman1 ) all ! /r5g? &    
promise ( precoci\s maturity4 ,b n[ !re 
0 some?+ /range ab\t h] looks4 ,x is    
difficult to describe4 ,x 0 n t %e 0 no 
long] a "y woman1 b !re seem$ to be     
some?+ almo/ sexless ab\t h]4 ,x 0 z    

?\gh h] second>y sex *>act]i/ics 7 no   
long] fem99e1 b--= want ( a bett]       
^w--neut]4  ,yet1 /range to say1 9 spite
 ( ! le?>gy :i* necessitat$ at lea/ "s  
artificial fe$+1 %e 0 n fall+ away4 ,%e 
seem$1 if any?+1 plump4 ,to all         
appe>ances !re 0 really a ret>dation (  
metabolism connect$ ) ! trance-l sleep4 
,%e 0 actually ga9+ 9 weight6  ,z he    
not$ "o ( ^! ?+s aft] ano!r1 ,k5n$y     
look$ at h] long & c>efully4 ,i foll[$ !
 direction ( 8 eyes4 ,ov] h] nose1 j a  
trifle above ! l9e ( h] eyebr[s1 0 a    
peculi> r$ m>k1 a sore1 :i* 0 v         
disfigur+1 z ?\gh x 7 h>d to heal4  ,:at
 is t8 he ask$ ,mrs4 ,blakeley1 f9ally4 
,i don't "k1 %e repli$1 sl[ly4 ,we've   
all notic$ x4 ,x came j aft] ! sleep    
began4  ,y h no idea :at c\ld h caus$ x8
  ,bo? ,virg9ia & ,cyn?ia h be5 go+ to a
 face speciali/1 %e admitt$1 to h _!    
sk9s treat$ = freckles4 ,aft] ! treatm5t
 !y wore masks :i* 7 suppos$ to h "s    
effect on ! sk94 ,i don't "k4 ,c\ld x be
 t8  ,k5n$y look$ %>ply at ,cyn?ia's    

face4 ,!re 0 no r$ m>k ov] h] nose4 ,b  
!re 7 c]ta9ly no freckles on ei!r ( !   
girls' faces n[1 ei!r4  ,oh1 "m1        
remon/rat$ ,cyn?ia1 x c\ldn't be any?+  
,doctor ,*apelle did4  ,doctor ,*apelle8
 repeat$ ,k5n$y4  ,yes1 ,dr4 ,c>l       
,*apelle1 repli$ ,mrs4 ,blakeley4       
,p]haps y h he>d ( him4 ,he is q well   
kn[n1 has a beauty-p>lor on ,fif?       
,av5ue4 ,he--  ,x's ridicul\s1 cut 9    
,cyn?ia1 %>ply4 ,:y1 my face 0 worse ?an
 ,virgie's4 ,c>--,he said x w\ld take   
long]4  ,i _h be5 wat*+ ,cyn?ia1 b x    
ne$$ only to h he>d h] to see t ,doctor 
,*apelle 0 some?+ m ?an a beauty        
speciali/ to h]4  ,k5n$y glanc$         
?\ghtfully f ! cle> sk9 ( ,cyn?ia to !  
r$ m>k on ,virg9ia4 ,?\gh he said no?+1 
,i c\ld see t 8 m9d 0 on x4 ,i _h he>d (
 ! beauty doctors :o promise to give "o 
a sk9 z s(t & cle> z a baby's--& (t51 by
 _! inexp]t use ( lotions & *emicals1   
succe$ 9 ru9+ ! sk9 & disfigur+ ! pati5t
 = life4 ,c\ld ?is be a case ( t sort8  
,yet h[ expla9 ! app>5t success )       

,cyn?ia8  ,! eld] si/]1 h[ev]1 0 pla9ly 
vex$ at ! m5tion ( ! beauty doctor's "n 
at all1 & %e %[$ x4 ,k5n$y made a m5tal 
note ( ! matt]1 b refra9$ f say+ any m  
ab\t x4  ,i suppose !re is no objection 
to my see+ ,doctor ,haynes8 ask$ ,k5n$y1
 ris+ & *ang+ ! subject4  ,none :atev]1 
return$ ,mrs4 ,blakeley4 ,if !re's any?+
 y or he c d to br+ ,virg9ia out (      
?is--any?+ safe--,i want x done1 %e     
emphasiz$4  ,cyn?ia 0 sil5t z we left4  
,evid5tly %e _h n expect$ ,doctor       
,*apelle's "n to be br\ght into ! case4 
,we 7 lucky 9 f9d+ ,doctor ,haynes at   
home1 al?\gh x 0 n ! regul> "t = 8 (fice
 h\rs4 ,k5n$y introduc$ himself z a     
fri5d ( ! ,blakeleys :o _h be5 ask$ to  
see t ,i made no blund]s 9 writ+ ! /ory 
= ! ,/>4 ,doctor ,haynes did n "q !     
explanation4  ,he 0 a man well on t[>d !
 sixties1 ) t magnetic quality t        
inspires ! confid5ce s necess>y = a     
doctor4 ,f> f weal?y1 he _h atta9$ a    
high place 9 ! pr(ession4  ,z ,k5n$y    
f9i%$ 8 v]sion ( our mission1 ,doctor   

,haynes %ook 8 head ) a deep sigh4  ,y c
 und]/& h[ ,i feel t[>d ! ,blakeleys1 he
 rem>k$1 at l5g?4 ,i %\ld consid] x     
une?ical to give an int]view "u any     
circum/ances--mu* m s "u ! pres5t4      
,/ill1 ,i put 91 tak+ ,k5n$y's cue1 j a 
^w to set me /raight c't d any h>m4 ,i  
won't quote y directly4  ,he seem$ to   
realize t x might be bett] to talk      
c>efully ?an to leave all to my         
imag9ation4  ,well1 he began1 sl[ly1 ,i 
h consid]$ all ! usual causes assign$ = 
su* morbid sleep4 ,x is n auto-sugge/ion
 or trance1 ,i am positive4 ,nor is !re 
any trace ( epilepsy4 ,i _c see h[ x    
c\ld be due to poison+1 c y8  ,i admitt$
 readily t ,i c\ld n4  ,no1 he resum$1 x
 is j a case ( :at we call              
n>colepsy--pa?ological somnol5ce--a     
sudd51 uncontrollable incl9ation to     
sleep1 occurr+ sometimes repeat$ly or at
 v>y+ int]vals4 ,i don't ?9k x hy/]ical1
 epileptic1 or toxemic4 ,! pla9 fact ( !
 matt]1 g5tlem51 is t nei!r myself nor  
any ( my colleagues :om ,i h consult$ h 

! fa9te/ idea :at x is--yet4  ,! door ( 
! (fice op5$1 = x 0 n ! h\r = consult+  
pati5ts1 & a tall1 a?letic "y fell[1 ) a
 ke5 & re/less face1 ?\gh v boyi%1      
ent]$4  ,my son1 ! doctor introduc$1    
soon to be ! six? ,doctor ,haynes 9     
direct l9e 9 ! family4  ,we %ook h&s4 ,x
 0 evid5t t ,cyn?ia _h n by any means   
exagg]at$ :5 %e said t he 0 frantic ov] 
:at _h happ5$ to 8 fiancee4  ,accord+ly1
 !re 0 no difficulty 9 rev]t+ to !      
subject ( our visit4 ,gradually ,i let  
,k5n$y take ! lead 9 ! conv]sation s t  
our position might n seem to be false4  
,x 0 n long be=e ,craig manag$ to inject
 a rem>k ab\t ! r$ spot ov] ,virg9ia's  
nose4 ,x seem$ to excite "y ,hampton4   
,naturally ,i look on x m z a doctor ?an
 a lov]1 rem>k$ 8 fa!r1 smil+ indulg5tly
 at ! "y man1 :om x 0 evid5t he reg>d$  
above ev]y?+ else 9 ! _w4 ,i h n be5    
able to acc\nt = x1 ei!r4 ,really ! case
 is "o ( ! mo/ rem>kable ,i h ev] he>d  
(4  ,y h he>d ( a ,dr4 ,c>l ,*apelle8   
inquir$ ,craig1 t5tatively4  ,a beauty  

doctor1 int]rupt$ ! "y man1 turn+ t[>d 8
 fa!r4 ,y've met him4 ,he's ! fell[ ,i  
?9k is really engag$ to ,cyn?ia4        
,hampton seem$ mu* excit$4 ,!re 0       
unconceal$ animosity 9 ! mann] ( 8      
rem>k1 & ,i wond]$ :y x 04 ,c\ld !re be 
"s lat5t jeal\sy8  ,i see1 calm$ ,doctor
 ,haynes4 ,y mean to inf] t ?is--er--?is
 ,doctor ,*apelle-- ,he paus$1 wait+ =  
,k5n$y to take ! initiative4  ,i suppose
 y've notic$ ov] ,miss ,blakeley's nose 
a r$ sore8 haz>d$ ,k5n$y4  ,yes1 repli$ 
,doctor ,haynes1 r refractory1 too4 ,i--
  ,say1 int]rupt$ ,hampton1 :o by ?is "t
 _h rea*$ a high pit* ( excitem5t1 say1 
d y ?9k x c\ld be any ( 8 conf\nd$      
no/rums back ( ?is ?+8  ,c>eful1        
,hampton1 caution$ ! eld] man4  ,i'd l  
to see him1 pursu$ ,craig to ! y\ng]4 ,y
 "k him8  ,"k him8 ,i %\ld say ,i d4    
,good-look+1 good practice1 & all t1    
b--:y1 he mu/ h hypnotiz$ t girl6       
,cyn?ia ?9ks he's wond]ful4  ,i'd l to  
see him1 sugge/$ ,craig4  ,v well1 agre$
 ,hampton1 tak+ him at 8 ^w4 ,mu* z ,i  

dislike ! fell[1 ,i h no objection to   
go+ d[n to 8 beauty-p>lor ) y4  ,?ank y1
 return$ ,craig1 z we excus$ ourselves &
 left ! eld] ,doctor ,haynes4  ,sev]al  
times on our j\rney d[n ,hampton c\ld n 
resi/ "s ref]5ce to ,*apelle =          
comm]cializ+ ! pr(ession1 rem>ks :i*    
s\nd$ /rangely old on 8 lips4           
,*apelle's (fice1 we f\nd1 0 9 a l>ge   
build+ on ,fif? ,av5ue 9 ! new %opp+    
di/rict1 :]e hundr$s ( ?\s&s ( wom5     
pass$ almo/ daily4 ,he call$ ! place a  
,d]matological ,in/itute1 b1 z ,hampton 
put x1 he practis$ decorative surg]y4   
,z we ent]$ "o door1 we saw t pati5ts   
left by ano!r4 ,evid5tly1 z ,craig      
:isp]$1 :5 sixty s\ght to look l sixte5 
! seek]s did n l to come 9 contact ) "o 
ano!r4  ,we wait$ "s "t 9 a little      
private room4 ,at la/ ,doctor ,*apelle  
himself appe>$1 a r h&some man ) ! mann]
 t "o in/9ctively feels appeals to !    
ladies4  ,he %ook h&s ) "y ,haynes1 & ,i
 c\ld detect no ho/ility on ,*apelle's  
"p1 b r a fri5dly int]e/ 9 a y\ng] memb]

 ( ! m$ical pr(ession4  ,aga9 ,i 0 ?r[n 
=w>d z a buff]4 ,i 0 _! excuse = be+    
!re4 ,h[ev]1 a newspap] exp]i5ce gives y
 "o ?+1 if no o!r--assurance4  ,i       
believe y h a pati5t1 a ,miss ,virg9ia  
,blakeley8 ,i v5tur$4  ,miss ,blakeley8 
,oh yes1 & h] si/]1 also4  ,! m5tion ( !
 names 0 en\gh4 ,i 0 no long] ne$$ z a  
buff]4  ,*apelle1 blurt$ out ,hampton1 y
 mu/ h done some?+ to h] :5 y treat$ h] 
face4 ,!re's a little r$ spot ov] h]    
nose t hasn't heal$ yet4  ,k5n$y fr[n$  
at ! impetu\s int]ruption4 ,yet x 0     
p]haps ! be/ ?+ t c\ld h happ5$4  ,s1   
return$ ,*apelle1 draw+ back & plac+ 8  
head on "o side z he nodd$ x ) ea* ^w1 y
 ?9k ,i've spoil$ h] looks8 ,ar5't !    
freckles gone8  ,yes1 retort$ ,hampton1 
bitt]ly1 b on h] face is ?is new        
disfigurem5t4  ,t8 %rugg$ ,*apelle4 ,i  
"k no?+ ( t--nor ( ! trance4 ,i h only  
my specialty4  ,calm ?\gh he appe>$     
outw>dly1 "o c\ld see t ,*apelle 0      
pla9ly worri$4 ,"u ! circum/ances1 might
 n 8 pr(essional reputation be at /ake8 

,:at if a h9t l ?is got abroad among 8  
ri* cli5tele8  ,i look$ ab\t 8 %op &    
wond]$ j h[ mu* ( a fak] he 04 ,once or 
twice ,i _h he>d ( surgeons :o _h gone  
legitimately into ?is sort ( ?+4 ,b !   
common /ory 0 t ( ! sw9dl]--or worse4 ,i
 _h he>d ( scores ( cases ( good looks  
p]man5tly ru9$1 seldom ( any b5efit4 ,_h
 ,*apelle ignorantly done some?+ t w\ld 
leave its sc> =ev]8 ,or 0 he "o ( ! few 
:o 7 hone/ & c>eful8  ,:atev] ! case1   
,k5n$y _h accompli%$ 8 purpose4 ,he _h  
se5 ,*apelle4 ,if he 7 really guilty (  
any?+ ! *ances 7 all 9 favor ( 8 betray+
 x by try+ to cov] x up4 ,deftly        
suppress+ ,hampton1 we manag$ to beat a 
retreat )\t %[+ our h&s any fur!r4      
,humph6 snort$ ,hampton1 z we rode d[n 9
 ! elevator & hopp$ on a 'bus to g      
up-t[n4 ,gave up legitimate m$ic9e &    
took up ?is beauty doctor+--x's         
unpr(essional1 ,i tell y4 ,:y1 he ev5   
adv]tises6  ,we left ,hampton & return$ 
to ! laboratory1 ?\gh ,craig _h no      
pres5t int5tion ( /ay+ !re4 ,8 visit 0  

m]ely = ! purpose ( ga!r+ "s app>atus1  
:i* includ$ a ,crookes tube1 c>efully   
pack$1 a rheo/at1 & "s o!r p>aph]nalia  
:i* we divid$4 ,a few mom5ts lat] we 7  
on our way aga9 to ! ,blakeley mansion4 
,no *ange _h tak5 place 9 ! condition ( 
! pati5t1 & ,mrs4 ,blakeley met u       
anxi\sly4 ,nor 0 ! anxiety :olly ov] h] 
daught]'s condition1 = !re seem$ to be  
an air ( relief :5 ,k5n$y told h] t we  
_h little to report4  ,up-/airs 9 !     
sick-room1 ,craig set sil5tly to "w1    
atta*+ 8 app>atus to an electric-light  
socket f :i* he _h unscrew$ ! bulb4 ,z  
he proce$$ ,i saw t x 01 z ,i _h        
surmis$1 8 new ,x-ray photograph+ ma*9e 
:i* he _h br\ght4 ,c>efully1 f sev]al   
angles1 he took photographs ( ,virg9ia's
 head1 !n1 )\t say+ a ^w1 pack$ up 8 kit
 & />t$ away4  ,we 7 pass+ d[n ! hall1  
aft] leav+ ,mrs4 ,blakeley1 :5 a figure 
/epp$ out f beh9d a porti]e4 ,x 0       
,cyn?ia1 :o _h be5 wait+ to see u alone4
  ,y--don't ?9k ,doctor ,*apelle _h     
any?+ to d ) x8 %e ask$1 9 a ho>se      

:isp]4  ,!n ,hampton ,haynes has be5 "h8
 avoid$ ,k5n$y4  ,yes1 %e admitt$1 z    
?\gh ! "q _h be5 q logical4 ,he told me 
( y\r visit to ,c>l4  ,!re 0 no         
concealm5t1 n[1 ( h] anxiety4 ,inde$1 ,i
 saw no reason :y !re %\ld be4 ,x 0 q   
natural t ! girl %\ld worry ov] h] lov]1
 if %e ?\ght !re 0 ev5 a haze (         
suspicion 9 ,k5n$y's m9d4  ,really ,i h 
f\nd out no?+ yet1 0 ! only answ] ,craig
 gave1 f :i* ,i readily d$uc$ t he 0    
well satisfi$ to play ! game by pitt+   
ea* aga9/ all1 9 ! hope ( ga!r+ "h & !re
 a bit ( ! tru?4 ,z soon z ,i f9d out   
any?+ ,i %all let y & y\r "m "k4 ,& y   
mu/ tell me ev]y?+1 too4  ,he paus$ to  
emphasize ! la/ words1 !n sl[ly turn$   
aga9 t[>d ! door4 ,f ! corn] ( my eye ,i
 saw ,cyn?ia take a /ep aft] him1 pause1
 !n take ano!r4  ,oh1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 
%e call$4  ,craig turn$4  ,!re's some?+ 
,i =got1 %e cont9u$4 ,!re's some?+ wrong
 ) "m6 ,%e paus$1 !n resum$3 ,ev5 be=e  
,virg9ia 0 tak5 d[n ) ?is--illness ,i   
saw a *ange4 ,%e is worri$4 ,oh1        

,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 :at is x8 ,we h all   
be5 s happy4 ,& n[--,virgie1 "m--all ,i 
h 9 ! _w4 ,:at %all ,i d8  ,j :at d y   
mean8 ask$ ,k5n$y1 g5tly4  ,i don't "k4 
,"m has be5 s diff]5t lately4 ,& n[1 e  
night1 %e goes out4  ,:]e8 enc\rag$     
,k5n$y1 realiz+ t 8 plan 0 work+4  ,i   
don't "k4 ,if %e w\ld only come back    
look+ happi]4 ,%e 0 sobb+1 convulsively1
 ov] %e knew n :at4  ,miss ,blakeley1   
said ,k5n$y1 tak+ h] h& betwe5 bo? ( 81 
only tru/ me4 ,if x is 9 my p[] ,i %all 
br+ y all out ( ?is unc]ta9ty t haunts  
y4  ,%e c\ld only murmur h] ?anks z we  
left4  ,x is /range1 rum9at$ ,k5n$y1 z  
we sp$ across ! city aga9 to !          
laboratory4 ,we mu/ wat* ,mrs4          
,blakeley4  ,t 0 all t 0 said4 ,al?\gh  
,i _h no inkl+ ( :at 0 back ( x all1 ,i 
felt q satisfi$ at hav+ recogniz$ !     
my/]y ev5 on /umbl+ on x z ,i _h4  ,9 ! 
laboratory1 z soon z he c\ld develop !  
skiagraphs he _h tak51 ,k5n$y began a   
m9ute /udy ( !m4 ,x 0 n long be=e he    
look$ ov] at me ) ! expression ,i _h    

come to recognize :5 he f\nd some?+     
important4 ,i w5t ov] & look$ at !      
radiograph :i* he 0 /udy+4 ,to me x 0   
no?+ b successive gradations ( %ad[s4 ,b
 to "o :o _h /udi$ ro5tg5ography z      
,k5n$y _h ea* m9ute gradation ( light & 
%ade _h its mean+4  ,y see1 po9t$ out   
,k5n$y1 trac+ along "o ( ! %ad[s ) a    
f9e-po9t$ p5cil1 & !n along a           
correspond+ position on ano!r /&>d      
skiagraph :i* he already _h1 !re is a   
m>k$ dim9ution 9 size ( ! sella turcica1
 z x is call$4 ,yet !re is no evid5ce ( 
a tumor4 ,= sev]al mom5ts he pond]$     
deeply ov] ! photographs4 ,& x is       
impossible to conceive ( any me*anical  
pressure suffici5t to cause su* a *ange1
 he add$4  ,unable to help him on !     
problem1 :atev] x might be1 ,i wat*$ him
 pac+ up & d[n ! laboratory4  ,i %all h 
to take t picture ov] aga9--"u diff]5t  
circum/ances1 he rem>k$1 f9ally1 paus+ &
 look+ at 8 wat*4 ,to-night we mu/ foll[
 ?is clue :i* ,cyn?ia has giv5 u4 ,call 
a cab1 ,walt]4  ,we took a /& d[n !     

block f ! ,blakeley mansion1 ne> a l>ge 
ap>tm5t1 :]e ! pres5ce ( a cab w\ld n   
attract att5tion4 ,if !re is any job ,i 
despise x is %ad[+4 ,"o mu/ keep 8 eyes 
rivet$ on a h\se1 =1 once let ! att5tion
 relax & x is incr$ible h[ quickly any  
"o may get out & disappe>4  ,our vigil 0
 f9ally rew>d$ :5 we saw ,mrs4 ,blakeley
 em]ge & hurry d[n ! /reet4 ,to foll[ h]
 0 easy1 = %e did n suspect t %e 0 be+  
wat*$1 & w5t afoot4 ,on %e walk$1 turn+ 
(f ! ,drive & proce$+ rapidly t[>d !    
region ( *eap t5em5ts4 ,%e paus$ be=e   
"o1 & z our cab cruis$ leisurely pa/ we 
saw h] press a button1 ! la/ on ! "r-h& 
side1 ent] ! door1 & />t up ! /airs4    
,in/antly ,k5n$y signal$ our driv] to   
/op & toge!r we hopp$ out & walk$ back1 
cauti\sly ent]+ ! ve/ibule4 ,! "n 9 !   
lett]-box 0 ,mrs4 ,reba ,r9eh>t4 ,:at   
c\ld x mean8  ,j !n ano!r cab /opp$ up !
 /reet1 & z we turn$ to leave ! ve/ibule
 ,k5n$y drew back4 ,x 0 too late1 h[ev]1
 n to be se54 ,a man _h j alight$ &1 9  
turn1 _h />t$ back1 also realiz+ t x 0  

too late4 ,x 0 ,*apelle6 ,!re 0 no?+ to 
d b to make ! be/ ( x4  ,%ad[+ ! %ad[]s8
 qu]i$ ,k5n$y1 ke5ly wat*+ ! play ( 8   
features "u ! arc-light ( ! /reet4      
,miss ,cyn?ia ask$ me to foll[ h] "m !  
o!r night1 he answ]$1 q frankly4 ,& ,i h
 be5 do+ s ev] s9ce4  ,x 0 a glib answ]1
 at any rate1 ,i ?\ght4  ,!n1 p]haps y  
"k some?+ ( ,reba ,r9eh>t1 too1 bluff$  
,k5n$y4  ,*apelle ey$ u a mom5t1 9 d\bt 
h[ mu* we knew4 ,k5n$y play$ a pair (   
deuces z if !y _h be5 f\r aces in/ead4  
,n mu*1 repli$ ,*apelle1 dubi\sly4 ,i "k
 t ,mrs4 ,blakeley has be5 pay+ money to
 ! old woman1 :o seems to be ill4 ,once 
,i manag$ to get 9 to see h]4 ,x's a bad
 case ( p]nici\s anemia1 ,i %\ld say4 ,a
 neighbor told me %e _h be5 to ! college
 hospital1 _h be5 "o ( ,doctor ,haynes's
 cases1 b t he _h turn$ h] ov] to 8 son4
 ,i've se5 ,hampton ,haynes "h1 too4    
,!re 0 an air ( s9c]ity ab\t ,*apelle's 
words4 ,b1 !n1 ,i reflect$ t !re _h also
 be5 a simil> r+ to :at we _h he>d      
,hampton say4 ,7 !y play+ a game aga9/  

ea* o!r8 ,p]haps--b :at 0 ! game8 ,:at  
did x all mean & :y %\ld ,mrs4 ,blakeley
 pay money to an old woman1 a *>ity     
pati5t8  ,!re 0 no solution4 ,bo? ,k5n$y
 & ,*apelle1 by a sort ( tacit cons5t1  
dismiss$ _! cabs1 & we /roll$ on ov]    
t[>d ,broadway1 wat*+ "o ano!r1         
furtively4 ,we p>t$ f9ally1 & ,craig &  
,i w5t up to our ap>tm5t1 :]e he sat =  
h\rs 9 a br[n /udy4 ,!re 0 pl5ty to ?9k 
ab\t ev5 s f> 9 ! affair4 ,he may h sat 
up all night4 ,at any rate1 he r\s$ me  
e>ly 9 ! morn+4  ,come ov] to !         
laboratory1 he said4 ,i want to take t  
,x-ray ma*9e up !re aga9 to ,blakeley's4
 ,conf\nd x6 ,i hope x's n too late4  ,i
 lo/ no "t 9 jo9+ him & we 7 at ! h\se  
long be=e any reasonable h\r = visitors4
  ,k5n$y ask$ = ,mrs4 ,blakeley &       
hurri$ly set up ! ,x-ray app>atus4 ,i   
wi% y w\ld place t face mask :i* %e 0   
we>+ exactly z x 0 be=e %e became ill1  
he ask$4  ,h] "m did z ,k5n$y direct$1  
replac+ ! rubb] mask z ,virg9ia _h worn 
x4  ,i want y to pres]ve t mask1 direct$

 ,k5n$y1 z he f9i%$ tak+ 8 pictures4    
,say no?+ ab\t x to any "o4 ,9 fact1 ,i 
%\ld advise putt+ x 9 y\r family safe = 
! pres5t4  ,ha/ily we drove back to !   
laboratory & ,k5n$y set to "w aga9      
develop+ ! second set ( skiagraphs4 ,i  
_h n long to wait1 ?is "t1 = him to /udy
 !m4 ,8 fir/ glance br\ght me ov] to him
 z he exclaim$ l\dly4  ,at ! po9t j     
opposite ! sore :i* he _h obs]v$ on     
,virg9ia's =ehead1 & ov]ly+ ! sella     
turcica1 !re 0 a peculi> spot on !      
radiograph4  ,some?+ 9 t mask has       
affect$ ! photographic plate1 he        
expla9$1 8 face n[ animat$4  ,be=e ,i   
c\ld ask him :at x 0 he _h op5$ a cab9et
 :]e he kept _m new ?+s :i* he /udi$ 9 8
 leisure mom5ts4 ,f x ,i saw him take   
sev]al glass ampules :i* he glanc$ at   
ha/ily & %ov$ into 8 pocket z we he>d a 
foot/ep out 9 ! hall4 ,x 0 ,*apelle1 v  
mu* worri$4 ,c\ld x be t he knew 8      
society cli5tele 0 at /ake1 ,i wond]$4  
,or 0 x m ?an t8  ,%e's dead6 he cri$4  
,! old lady di$ la/ night6  ,)\t a ^w   

,k5n$y hu/l$ u out ( ! laboratory1 /uff+
 ! ,x-ray pictures into 8 pocket1 also1 
z we w5t4  ,z we hurri$ d[n-t[n ,*apelle
 told u h[ he _h tri$ to keep a wat* by 
brib+ "o ( ! neighbors1 :o _h j in=m$   
him ( ! trag$y4  ,x 0 h] he>t1 said "o (
 ! neighbors1 z we ent]$ ! poor ap>tm5t4
 ,! doctor said s4  ,anemia1 insi/$     
,*apelle1 look+ c>efully at ! body4     
,k5n$y b5t ov]1 also1 & exam9$ ! poor1  
worn frame4 ,z he did s he caught sight 
( a heavy l95 envelope tuck$ "u h]      
pill[4 ,he pull$ x out g5tly & op5$ x4  
,inside 7 sev]al "t-worn docum5ts &     
lett]s4 ,he glanc$ ov] !m ha/ily1       
unfold+ fir/ a lett]4  ,walt]1 he       
:isp]$1 furtively1 look+ at ! neighbors 
9 ! room & mak+ sure t none ( !m _h se5 
! envelope already4 ,read ^!4 ,t's h]   
/ory4  ,"o glance 0 suffici5t4 ,! fir/ 0
 a lett] f old ,/u>t ,blakeley4 ,reba   
,r9eh>t _h be5 secretly m>ri$ to him--& 
nev] divorc$4 ,"o pap] aft] ano!r       
unfold$ h] /ory4  ,i ?\ght quickly4 ,!n 
%e _h _h a "r 9 ! ,blakeley millions4 ,m

 ?an t1 ! ,blakeleys !mselves _h none1  
at lea/ only :at came to !m by          
,blakeley's w4  ,i read on1 to see :at1 
if any1 conte/ %e _h int5d$ to make4 ,& 
z ,i read ,i c\ld picture old ,/u>t     
,blakeley to myself--/rong1 direct1     
unscrupul\s1 a man :o knew :at he want$ 
& got x1 dom9ant1 close-m\!d1 my/]i\s4  
,he _h und]/ood & e/imat$ ! future (    
,new ,york4 ,on t he _h f\nd$ 8 =tune4  
,accord+ to ! old lady's /ory1 ! m>riage
 0 a complete secret4 ,%e _h dem&$      
m>riage :5 he _h dem&$ h]4 ,he _h po9t$ 
out ! difficulties4 ,! orig9al prop]ty  
_h come to him & w\ld rema9 9 8 h&s only
 on condition t he m>ri$ "o ( 8 own     
fai?4 ,%e 0 n ( ! fai? & decl9$ to      
become s4 ,!re _h be5 o!r family        
reasons1 also4 ,!y _h be5 m>ri$1 ) !    
idea ( keep+ x secret until he c\ld     
arrange 8 affairs s t he c\ld safely    
ackn[l$ge h]4  ,x 01 accord+ to h] /ory1
 a ruse4 ,:5 %e dem&$ recognition he    
repli$ t ! m>riage 0 invalid1 t ! m9i/] 
_h be5 unfrock$ be=e ! c]emony4 ,%e 0 n 

9 law 8 wife & _h no claim1 he ass]t$4  
,b he agre$ to compromise1 9 spite ( x  
all4 ,if %e w\ld g ,we/ & n return or   
intrude1 he w\ld make a ca% settlem5t4  
,disillusion$1 %e took ! (f] & w5t to   
,cali=nia4 ,someh[1 he und]/ood t %e 0  
dead4 ,ye>s lat] he m>ri$ aga94         
,mean:ile %e _h inve/$ h] settlem5t1 _h 
prosp]$1 _h ev5 m>ri$ h]self1 ?9k+ !    
fir/ m>riage void4 ,!n h] second husb&  
di$ & evil times came4 ,blakeley 0 dead1
 b %e came ,ea/4 ,s9ce !n %e _h be5     
fight+ to e/abli% ! validity ( ! fir/   
m>riage & h5ce h] claim to d[] rights4  
,x 0 a mov+ /ory4  ,z we f9i%$ read+1   
,k5n$y ga!r$ ! pap]s toge!r & took *>ge 
( !m4 ,tak+ ,*apelle1 :o by ?is "t 0 9 a
 high /ate ( excitem5t ov] bo? ! dea? & 
! discov]y1 ,k5n$y hurri$ to ! ,blakeley
 mansion1 /opp+ only long en\gh to      
telephone to ,doctor ,haynes & 8 son4   
,evid5tly ! news _h spread4 ,cyn?ia     
,blakeley met u 9 ! hall1 half fright5$1
 yet mu* reliev$4  ,oh1 ,pr(essor       
,k5n$y1 %e cri$1 ,i don't "k :at x is1 b

 "m seems s diff]5t4 ,:at is x all ab\t8
  ,z ,k5n$y said no?+1 %e turn$ to      
,*apelle1 :om ,i 0 wat*+ n>r[ly4 ,:at is
 x1 ,c>l8 %e :isp]$4  ,i--,i c't tell1  
he :isp]$ back1 gu>d$ly4 ,!n1 ) an      
anxi\s glance at ! re/ ( u1 ,is y\r si/]
 any bett]8  ,cyn?ia's face cl\d$4      
,reliev$ ?\gh %e 0 ab\t h] "m1 !re 0    
/ill t horror = ,virg9ia4  ,come1 ,i    
int]rupt$1 n wi%+ to let ,*apelle get   
out ( my sight1 yet wi%+ to foll[       
,k5n$y1 :o _h da%$ up-/airs4  ,i f\nd   
,craig already at ! b$side ( ,virg9ia4  
,he _h brok5 "o ( ! ampules & 0 inject+ 
"s ( ! extract 9 x into ! sleep+ girl's 
arm4 ,mrs4 ,blakeley b5t ov] eag]ly z he
 did s4 ,ev5 9 h] mann] %e 0 *ang$4 ,!re
 0 anxiety = ,virg9ia yet1 b "o c\ld    
feel t a great weight seem$ to be lift$ 
f h]4  ,s engross$ 0 ,i 9 wat*+ ,k5n$y t
 ,i did n he> ,doctor ,haynes & ,hampton
 ent]4 ,*apelle he>d1 h[ev]1 & turn$4   
,= a mom5t he gaz$ at ,hampton4 ,!n ) a 
slight curl ( ! lip he said1 9 a l[     
tone1 ,is x /rictly e?ical to treat a   

pati5t = disease ( ! he>t :5 %e is      
suff]+ f anemia--if y h an int]e/ 9 !   
life & dea? ( ! pati5t8  ,i wat*$       
,hampton's face closely4 ,!re 0         
indignation 9 e l9e ( x4 ,b be=e he c\ld
 reply ,doctor ,haynes /epp$ =w>d4  ,my 
son 0 "r 9 ! diagnosis1 he almo/ %\t$1  
%ak+ a m5ac+ f+] at ,*apelle4 ,to come  
to ! po9t1 sir1 expla9 t m>k on ,miss   
,virg9ia's =ehead6  ,yes1 dem&$         
,hampton1 also tak+ a /ep t[>d ! beauty 
doctor1 expla9 x--if y d>e4  ,cyn?ia    
suppress$ a little cry ( fe>4 ,= a mom5t
 ,i ?\ght t ! two "y m5 w\ld =get ev]y?+
 9 ! heat ( _! feel+s4  ,j a second1    
int]pos$ ,k5n$y1 quickly /epp+ betwe5   
!m4 ,let me d ! talk+4 ,!re 0 some?+    
comm&+ ab\t 8 tone z he look$ f "o to ! 
o!r ( u4  ,! tr\ble ) ,miss ,virg9ia1 he
 add$1 delib]ately1 seems to lie 9 "o ( 
:at ! sci5ti/s h lately designat$ !     
'endocr9e gl&s'--9 ?is case ! pituit>y4 
,my ,x-ray pictures %[ t conclusively4  
,let me expla9 = ! b5efit ( ! re/4 ,!   
pituit>y is an oval gl&ul> body compos$ 

( two lobes & a connect+ area1 :i* re/ 9
 ! sella turcica1 envelop$ by a lay] (  
tissue1 ab\t "u ?is po9t4 ,he indicat$ !
 r$ spot on h] =ehead z he spoke4 ,x is1
 z ! e>ly ,fr5* surgeons call$ x1       
l'organe enigmatique4 ,! anci5ts ?\ght x
 dis*>g$ ! pituita1 or mucus1 into !    
nose4 ,mo/ sci5ti/s ( ! pa/ c5tury      
ass]t$ t x 0 a ve/igial relic (         
prehi/oric usefulness4 ,to-day we "k    
bett]4  ,"o by "o ! functions ( !       
int]nal secretions are be+ discov]$4    
,our v>i\sly acquir$ bits ( in=mation   
conc]n+ ! ductless gl&s lie be=e u l !  
fragm5ts ( a mod]n picture puzzle4 ,& s1
 ,i may tell y1 9 connection ) rec5t    
exp]im5tal /udies ( ! role ( ! pituit>y1
 ,doctor ,cu%+ & o!r collaborators at   
,johns ,hopk9s h notic$ a m>k$ t5d5cy to
 pass into a pr(\ndly le?>gic /ate :5 ! 
secretion ( ! pituit>y is totally or    
ne>ly s remov$4  ,k5n$y n[ _h e eye     
rivet$ on him z he deftly l$ ! subject  
/raight to ! case ( ! poor girl be=e u4 
,?is1 he add$1 ) a wave ( 8 h& t[>d h]1 

is mu* l :at is call$ ! ,frohli*        
syndrome--! le?>gy1 ! subnormal         
temp]ature1 sl[ pulse1 & respiration1   
l[]$ blood pressure1 & ins5sitivity1 !  
gr[? ( fat & ! loss ( sex *>act]i/ics4  
,x has a "n--dy/rophia adiposog5italis4 
,he nodd$ to ,doctor ,haynes1 b did n   
pause4 ,?is case be>s a /rik+           
resemblance to ! pron\nc$ natural       
somnol5ce ( hib]nation4 ,& induc$       
hypopituit>ism--"u activity ( !         
gl&--produces a result j l natural      
hib]nation4 ,hib]nation has no?+ to d ) 
w9t]1 or ) food1 prim>ily2 x is connect$
 9 "s way ) ?is little gl& "u ! =ehead4 
,z ! pituit>y secretion is less5$1 !    
block+ action ( ! fatigue products 9 !  
body be-comes great] & morbid somnol5ce 
sets 94 ,!re is a high tol]ance (       
c>bohydrates :i* are promptly /or$ z    
fat4 ,i am surpris$1 ,doctor ,haynes1 t 
y did n recognize ! symptoms4  ,a murmur
 f ,mrs4 ,blakeley cut %ort ,doctor     
,haynes's reply4 ,i ?\ght ,i notic$ a   
movem5t ( ! /ill face on ! :ite b$4     

,virgie6 ,virgie6 call$ ,mrs4 ,blakeley1
 dropp+ on h] knee beside h] daught]4   
,i'm "h--"m6  ,virg9ia's eyes op5$ ev] s
 slightly4 ,h] face turn$ j an in* or   
two4 ,%e seem$ to be mak+ a great ef=t1 
b x la/$ only a mom5t4 ,!n %e slipp$    
back into ! /range condition t _h baffl$
 skill$ physicians & surgeons = ne>ly a 
week4  ,! sleep is be+ dispell$1 said   
,k5n$y1 quietly plac+ 8 h& on ,mrs4     
,blakeley's %\ld]4 ,x is a sort (       
semi-consci\sness n[ & ! improvem5t %\ld
 soon be great4  ,& t8 ,i ask$1 t\*+ !  
empty ampule f :i* he _h inject$ !      
cont5ts into h]4  ,pituitr9--! extract (
 ! ant]ior lobe ( ! pituit>y body4 ,"s  
"o :o _h an object 9 remov+ h]          
tempor>ily probably c\nt$ on re/or+ h]  
to h] =m] bloom+ womanhood by           
pituitr9--& by remov+ ! cause ( !       
tr\ble4  ,k5n$y rea*$ into 8 pocket &   
drew =? ! second ,x-ray photograph he _h
 tak54 ,mrs4 ,blakeley1 may ,i tr\ble y 
to get t beauty mask :i* y\r daught]    
wore8  ,me*anically ,mrs4 ,blakeley     

obey$4 ,i expect$ ,*apelle to object1 b 
n a ^w broke ! dea?-l /illness4  ,!     
n>colepsy1 cont9u$ ,k5n$y1 tak+ ! mask1 
0 due1 ,i f9d1 to some?+ t affect$ !    
pituit>y gl&4 ,i h "h a photograph ( h] 
tak5 :5 %e 0 we>+ ! mask4 ,he ran 8 f+] 
lightly ov] ! "p j above ! eyes4 ,feel t
 little lump1 ,walt]1 he direct$4  ,i   
did s4 ,x 0 almo/ imp]ceptible1 b !re 0 
some?+4  ,:at is x8 ,i ask$4  ,locat$ 9 
"o ( ! be/ protect$ & mo/ inaccessible  
p>ts ( ! body1 ,k5n$y consid]$1 sl[ly1  
h[ c\ld ! pituit>y be rea*$8 ,if y w    
/udy my skiagraph1 y w see h[ ,i got my 
fir/ clue4 ,!re 0 some?+ ov] t spot :i* 
caus$ ! refractory sore4 ,:at 0 x8      
,radium--c>efully plac$ 9 ! mask ) gu>ds
 ( lead foil 9 su* a way z to protect ! 
eyes1 b direct ! emission full at ! gl& 
:i* 0 to be affect$1 & ! secretions     
/opp$4  ,*apelle gave a gasp4 ,he 0 pale
 & agitat$4  ,"s ( y h already he>d (   
,reba ,r9eh>t1 %ot out ,k5n$y1 sudd5ly  
*ang+ ! subject4  ,mrs4 ,blakeley c\ld n
 h be5 m a/\nd$ if a bomb _h dropp$ be=e

 h]4 ,/ill kneel+ be=e ,virg9ia's b$1 %e
 turn$ h] />tl$ face at ,k5n$y1 clasp+  
h] h&s 9 appeal4  ,x 0 = my girls t ,i  
tri$ to buy h] (f--= _! good "n--_!     
=tune--_! future1 %e cri$1 implor+ly4   
,k5n$y b5t d[n1 ,i "k t is all1 he      
reassur$1 !n1 fac+ u1 w5t on3 ,beh9d t  
old woman 0 a secret ( romantic int]e/4 
,%e 0 contemplat+ fil+ suit 9 ! c\rts to
 recov] a wid['s int]e/ 9 ! l& on :i* n[
 /& ! homes ( millionaires1 hotel       
palaces1 luxuri\s ap>tm5ts1 & popul>    
!at]s--millions ( doll>s' wor? (        
prop]ty4  ,cyn?ia mov$ ov] & drew h]    
arms ab\t ! convuls$ figure ( h] "m4    
,"s "o else knew ( ?is old m>riage (    
,/u>t ,blakeley1 proce$$ ,k5n$y1 knew ( 
,reba ,r9eh>t1 knew t %e might die at   
any mom5t4 ,b until %e di$ none ( !     
,blakeleys c\ld be entirely sure ( _!   
=tune4  ,x fla%$ ov] me t ,*apelle might
 h conceiv$ ! :ole s*eme1 seek+ to ga9 !
 entire =tune = ,cyn?ia4  ,:o 0 int]e/$ 
en\gh to plot ?is po/ponem5t ( ! w$d+   
until ! dang] to ! =tune 0 f9ally       

remov$8 ,i caught sight ( ,hampton      
,haynes1 8 eyes rivet$ on ! face on ! b$
 be=e u4  ,virg9ia /irr$ aga94 ,?is "t  
h] eyes op5$ wid]4 ,z if 9 a dream %e   
caught sight ( ! face ( h] lov] & smil$ 
wanly4  ,c\ld x h be5 ,hampton8 ,x seem$
 incr$ible4  ,! old lady is dead1 pursu$
 ,k5n$y1 t5sely4 ,h] d[] "r di$ ) h]4   
,no?+ c be ga9$ by br++ h] case back    
aga9--except to tr\ble ! ,blakeleys 9   
:at is rightfully !irs4  ,ga!r+ up !    
beauty mask1 ! ,x-ray photographs1 & !  
pap]s ( ,mrs4 ,r9eh>t1 ,k5n$y emphasiz$ 
) !m ! words z he :ipp$ !m out sudd5ly4 
,po/pon+ ! m>riage1 at ! possible exp5se
 ( ,*apelle1 until ,reba ,r9eh>t 0 dead1
 & tru/+ to a wrong diagnosis &         
,hampton's inexp]i5ce z ! sure/ way (   
br++ t result ab\t quickly1 x 0 y\r     
inord9ate ambition = y\r son1 ,doctor   
,haynes1 t l$ y on4 ,i %all hold ^!     
pro(s until ,virg9ia ,blakeley is re/or$
 completely to heal? & beauty4     ,,vii
  ,,! ,,love ,,met]   ,s9ce we br\ght   
him home1 my bro!r j tosses & gasps =   

air4 ,oh1 ,i ?9k ,eulalie & ,i %all bo? 
g mad6  ,! s(t1 plead+ voice ( ,anitra  
,b>rios & h] big1 appeal+ br[n eyes     
fill$ ) te>s 7 d\bly affect+ z1 9 spite 
( h] own feel+s1 %e plac$ h] h& on t ( a
 some:at y\ng] girl :o _h accompani$ h] 
to ! laboratory4  ,we 7 to h be5 m>ri$  
next mon?1 sobb$ ,eulalie ,s&oval4 ,c't 
y come & see ,jose1 ,pr(essor ,k5n$y8   
,!re mu/ be some?+ y c d4 ,we fe> he is 
dy+--yes1 dy+4  ,poor little girl6      
murmur$ ,anitra1 /ill patt+ h] h&       
affectionately1 !n to u1 ,y "k1 ,eulalie
 is ! si/] ( ,manuel ,s&oval1 :o manages
 ! ,new ,york bus9ess ( my bro!r4 ,%e   
paus$4 ,oh1 ,i c't believe x1 myself4   
,x's all s /range1 s sudd54  ,= ! mom5t 
h] own grief ov]:elm$ ,anitra1 & bo?    
si/] & swee!>t ( ,jose ,b>rios clung to 
ea* o!r4  ,:at is ! tr\ble8 soo!d       
,craig4 ,:at has happ5$8 ,h[ c ,i help  
y8  ,ev]y?+ 0 s happy ) u1 cri$ ,anitra1
 until ,jose & ,i came to ,new          
,york--&--n[-- ,%e broke d[n aga94      
,please be calm1 enc\rag$ ,k5n$y4 ,tell 

me ev]y?+--any?+4  ,) an ef=t ,anitra   
began aga94 ,x 0 la/ night--q late--at 8
 (fice at ! foot ( ,wall ,/reet--he 0   
!re alone1 %e /rove to connect h] brok5 
?\ghts4 ,"s "o--,i ?9k x mu/ h be5 !    
janitor--call$ me up at home & said t my
 bro!r 0 v ill4 ,eulalie 0 !re ) me4 ,we
 hurri$ d[n to him4 ,:5 we got !re ,jose
 0 on ! floor by 8 desk1 unconsci\s1    
/ruggl+ = brea?1 j z he is n[4  ,did y  
obs]ve any?+ peculi>8 qu]i$ ,k5n$y4 ,0  
!re any?+ t might give y a h9t ( :at _h 
happ5$8  ,anitra ,b>rios consid]$4      
,no?+1 %e repli$1 sl[ly1 except t !     
w9d[s 7 all clos$4 ,!re 0 a peculi> odor
 9 ! room4 ,i 0 s excit$ ov] ,jose1     
?\gh1 t ,i c\ldn't tell y j :at x 0 l4  
,:at did y d8 inquir$ ,craig4  ,:at c\ld
 we d1 j two girls1 all alone8 ,x 0     
late4 ,! /reets 7 des]t$4 ,y "k h[ !y   
are d[n-t[n at night4 ,we took him home1
 to ! hotel1 9 a cab1 & call$ ! hotel   
physician1 ,doctor ,scott4  ,bo? girls 7
 aga9 weep+ sil5tly 9 ea* o!r's arms4   
,if !re 0 any?+ t mov$ ,k5n$y to action 

x 0 di/ress ( ?is sort4 ,)\t a ^w he    
rose f 8 desk1 & ,i foll[$ him4 ,anitra 
& ,eulalie seem$ to und]/&4 ,?\gh !y    
said no?+1 !y look$ _! gratitude z we   
f\r left ! laboratory4  ,on ! way d[n to
 ! hotel ,anitra cont9u$ to p\r out h]  
/ory 9 a fragm5t>y way4 ,h] bro!r & %e1 
x seem$1 _h inh]it$ f _! fa!r a l>ge    
sug>-plantation 9 ,santa ,cl>a1 ! middle
 prov9ce ( ,cuba4  ,jose _h n be5 l _m (
 ! plant]s4 ,he _h actually tak5 hold ( 
! plantation1 aft] ! revolution _h      
wreck$ x1 & _h re-e/abli%$ x on mod]n1  
sci5tific l9es4 ,n[ x 0 "o ( ! l>ge/    
indep5d5t plantations on ! isl&4  ,to   
increase its effici5cy1 he _h lat]      
e/abli%$ a ,new ,york (fice to look aft]
 ! sale ( ! raw sug> & _h plac$ x 9 *>ge
 ( a fri5d1 ,manuel ,s&oval4 ,a mon? or 
s be=e he _h come to ,new ,york ) 8 si/]
 to sell ! plantation1 to get ! high    
price t ! boom 9 sug> _h made x wor?4 ,x
 0 :ile he _h be5 negotiat+ = ! sale t  
he _h fall5 9 love ) ,eulalie & !y _h   
become engag$4  ,doctor ,scott met u 9 !

 sitt+-room ( ! suite :i* ,anitra & h]  
bro!r occupi$1 &1 z %e introduc$ u1 ) an
 anxi\s glance 9 ! direction ( ! door ( 
! sick-room1 he %ook 8 head gravely1    
?\gh he did 8 be/ to seem enc\rag+4     
,x's a case ( poison+ ( "s k9d1 ,i fe>1 
he :isp]$ aside to u1 at ! fir/         
opportunity4 ,b ,i c't q make out j :at 
x is4  ,we foll[$ ! doctor into ! room4 
,eulalie _h prec$$ u & _h dropp$ d[n on 
h] knees by ! b$1 pass+ h] little :ite  
h& c>ess+ly ov] ! pale & di/ort$ face ( 
,jose4  ,he 0 /ill unconsci\s1 gasp+ &  
fight+ = brea?1 8 features p9*$ & sk9   
cold & clammy4 ,k5n$y exam9$ ! /rick5   
man c>efully1 fir/ feel+ 8 pulse4 ,x 0  
b>ely p]ceptible1 rapid1 ?ready1 &      
irregul>4 ,n[ & !n !re 7 muscul>        
trembl+s & convulsive movem5ts ( !      
limbs4 ,craig mov$ ov] to ! side ( !    
room away f ! two girls1 :]e ,doctor    
,scott 0 /&+4  ,sometimes1 ,i he>d !    
doctor v5ture1 ,i ?9k x is aconite1 b ! 
symptoms are n q ! same4 ,besides1 ,i   
don't see h[ x c\ld h be5 adm9i/]$4     

,!re's no m>k on him t might h come f a 
hypod]mic1 no w\nd1 n ev5 a scrat*4 ,he 
c\ldn't h swall[$ x4 ,suicide is out ( !
 "q4 ,b 8 nose & ?roat are t]ribly      
swoll5 & inflam$4 ,x's beyond me4  ,i   
tri$ to recall o!r cases ,i _h se54 ,!re
 0 "o case ( ,k5n$y's 9 :i* sev]al dea?s
 _h occurr$ due to aconite4 ,0 ?is ano!r
 ( t sort8 ,i felt unqualifi$ to judge1 
:]e ,doctor ,scott himself confess$ 8   
inability4 ,k5n$y himself said no?+1 & f
 8 face ,i ga!r$ t ev5 he _h no clue z  
yet4  ,z we left ! sick-room1 we f\nd t 
ano!r visitor _h arriv$ & 0 /&+ 9 !     
sitt+-room4 ,x 0 ,manuel ,s&oval4       
,s&oval 0 a h&some fell[1 tall1 /raight 
z an arr[1 ) bu%y d>k hair & a mu/a*e   
:i* gave him a di/+ui%$ appe>ance4 ,born
 9 ,cuba1 he _h be5 educat$ 9 ! ,unit$  
,/ates1 _h tak5 special "w 9 ! te*nology
 ( sug>1 knew ! game f cane to          
c5trifugal & ! %ip to ! sug> tru/4 ,he 0
 q z mu* a sci5ti/ z a bus9ess man4  ,he
 & ,eulalie talk$ = a mom5t 9 l[ tones 9
 ,cuban ,spani%1 b x ne$$ only to wat* 8

 eyes to guess :]e 8 he>t 04 ,he seem$  
to fairly dev\r e move t ,anitra made   
ab\t ! ap>tm5t4  ,a few m9utes lat] !   
door op5$ aga9 & a /rik+-look+ man      
ent]$4 ,he 0 a bit old] ?an ,s&oval1 b  
/ill "y4 ,z he ent]$ he b[$ to ,s&oval &
 ,eulalie b greet$ ,anitra w>mly4  ,mr4 
,burton ,page1 introduc$ ,anitra1 turn+ 
to u quickly1 ) j ! trace ( a flu% on h]
 face4 ,mr4 ,page has be5 putt+ my bro!r
 9 t\* ) p 9 ,new ,york :o are int]e/$ 9
 ,cuban sug>-plantations4 ,a call f     
,doctor ,scott = "s help took bo? girls 
into ! sick-room = a mom5t4  ,is ,b>rios
 any bett]8 ask$ ,page1 turn+ to        
,s&oval4  ,s&oval %ook 8 head 9 !       
negative1 b said no?+4 ,"o c\ld n help  
obs]v+ t !re seem$ to be a sort (       
antipa?y betwe5 ! two1 & ,i saw t ,craig
 0 obs]v+ !m bo? closely4  ,page 0 a    
typical1 breezy ,we/]n]1 :o _h fir/     
drift$ to ,new ,york z a m9+ promot]4   
,prom t he _h gone into sell+ ran*es1 &1
 by natural /ages1 into ! promotion (   
almo/ any?+ 9 ! univ]se4  ,sug> be+ at !

 "t upp]mo/ 9 ! m9d ( ! ,/reet1 ,page 0 
naturally to be f\nd cramm$ ) facts ab\t
 t /aple4 ,"o c\ld n help be+ int]e/$ 9 
/udy+ a man ( 8 type1 z long z "o kept 8
 grip on 8 pocket-book4 ,= he 0 a       
v]itable pi$ pip] :5 x came to entic+   
doll>s to foll[ him1 & 9 8 promotions he
 _h ! reputation ( hav+ amass$ an       
impressive pile ( doll>s himself4  ,no  
important *ange 9 ! condition ( ,b>rios 
_h tak5 place1 except t he 0 a trifle m 
exhau/$1 & ,doctor ,scott adm9i/]$ a    
/imulant4 ,k5n$y1 :o 0 eag] to take up !
 inve/igation ( ! case on ! outside 9 ! 
hope ( discov]+ some?+ t might be       
dignifi$ into be+ a clue1 excus$        
himself1 ) a nod to ,anitra to foll[    
into ! hall4  ,i may look ov] ! (fice8  
,craig v5tur$ :5 we 7 alone ) h]4       
,surely1 %e repli$1 frankly1 op5+ h]    
h&bag :i* 0 ly+ on a table ne> ! door4  
,i h an equal "r 9 ! bus9ess ) my bro!r4
 ,"h are ! keys4 ,! (fice has be5 clos$ 
to-day4  ,k5n$y took ! keys1 promis+ to 
let h] "k ! mom5t he discov]$ any?+     

important1 & we hurri$ directly d[n-t[n4
  ,! (fice ( ! ,b>rios ,company 0 at !  
foot ( ,wall ,/reet1 :]e ! bus9ess (    
import+ t\*$ on ! f9ancial di/rict4 ,f !
 w9d[ "o c\ld see freight]s unload+ _!  
c>goes at ! docks4 ,9 ! o!r direction1  
capital to ! billions 0 repres5t$4 ,b 9 
all t int]e/+ neighborhood no?+ j at    
pres5t c\ld surpass ! my/]y ( :at _h    
tak5 place 9 ! lonely little (fice late 
! night be=e4  ,k5n$y pass$ ! rail t %ut
 ! out] (fice (f f a sort ( reception   
space4 ,he glanc$ ab\t at ! safe1 !     
books1 pap]s1 & lett]-files4 ,x w\ld    
take an acc\ntant & an inve/igator days1
 p]haps weeks1 to trace out any?+ 9 !m1 
if inde$ x 7 wor? :ile at all4  ,two    
glass doors op5$ at "o end to two small]
 private (fices1 "o belong+ evid5tly to 
,s&oval1 ! o!r to ,b>rios4 ,:at !ory    
,craig =m$ ,i c\ld n guess1 b z he      
tipto$ f ! hall door1 pa/ ! rail1 to !  
door ( ,jose's (fice1 ,i c\ld see t fir/
 ( all he 0 try+ to discov] :e!r x 0    
possible to ent] ! out] (fice & rea*    

,jose's door unse5 & unhe>d by any "o   
sitt+ at ! desk inside4 ,app>5tly x 0   
easily possible1 & he paus$ a mom5t to  
consid] :at good t k might d4  ,z he did
 s 8 eye re/$ on ! floor4 ,a few feet   
away /ood "o ( ! mod]n sanit>y desks4 ,9
 ?is case ! legs ( ! desk rais$ ! desk  
high en\gh f ! floor s t "o c\ld at lea/
 see :]e ! clean+-woman _h left a small 
pile ( unsanit>y du/ ne> ! wall4        
,sudd5ly ,k5n$y b5t d[n & pok$ some?+   
out ( ! pile ( du/4 ,!re on ! floor 0 an
 empty %ell ( a c>tridge4 ,k5n$y pick$ x
 up & look$ at x curi\sly4  ,:at did x  
mean8 ,i recall$ t ,doctor ,scott _h    
p>ticul>ly said t ,b>rios _h n be5      
w\nd$4  ,/ill reg>d+ ! c>tridge %ell1   
,k5n$y sat d[n at ! desk ( ,b>rios4     
,look+ = a piece ( pap] 9 :i* to wrap ! 
%ell1 he pull$ out ! middle draw] ( !   
desk4 ,9 a back corn] 0 a package (     
lett]s1 neatly ti$4 ,we glanc$ at !m4 ,!
 envelopes bore ! "n ( ,jose ,b>rios & 7
 9 ! h&writ+ ( a woman4 ,"s 7 po/m>k$   
,cuba2 o!rs1 lat]1 ,new ,york4 ,k5n$y   

op5$ "o ( !m4  ,i c\ld n re/ra9 an      
exclamation ( a/oni%m5t4 ,i _h expect$ t
 !y 7 f ,eulalie ,s&oval4 ,b !y 7 sign$ 
by a "n t we _h n he>d--,t]esa de ,leon6
  ,ha/ily ,k5n$y read ?r\gh ! op5 lett]4
 ,its tone seem$ to be t ( a ?reat4 ,"o 
s5t5ce ,i recall 01 ,i w\ld foll[ y     
any:]e--,i'll make y want me4  ,"o aft] 
ano!r ,k5n$y ran ?r\gh !m4 ,all 7 vague 
& veil$1 z ?\gh ! writ] wi%$ by "s      
circumlocution to convey an idea t w\ld 
n be app>5t to "s ?ird1 inquisitive     
p>ty4  ,:at 0 back ( x all8 ,_h ,jose   
be5 mak+ love to ano!r woman at ! same  
"t t he 0 engag$ to ,eulalie ,s&oval8 ,z
 f> z ! cont5ts ( ! lett]s w5t !re 0    
no?+ to %[ t he _h done any?+ wrong4 ,! 
my/]y ( ! o!r woman only s]v$ to deep5 !
 my/]y ( :at little we already knew4    
,craig dropp$ ! lett]s into 8 pocket    
along ) ! %ell1 & walk$ ar\nd into !    
(fice ( ,s&oval4 ,i foll[$ him4 ,quickly
 he made a se>*1 b x did n seem to net  
him any?+4  ,mean:ile ,i _h be5 reg>d+ a
 que]-look+ in/rum5t t /ood on a flat   

table aga9/ "o wall4 ,x seem$ to consi/ 
( a /&>d on ea* end ( :i* 0 fa/5$ a     
disk1 besides sev]al o!r arrangem5ts !  
purpose ( :i* ,i _h n ! slighte/ idea4  
,betwe5 ! two ends re/$ a glass tube (  
"s liquid4 ,at "o end 0 a lamp2 ! o!r 0 
fitt$ ) an eyepiece l a telescope4      
,beside ! in/rum5t on ! table lay "s m  
glass-capp$ tubes & /rewn ab\t 7 samples
 ( raw sug>4  ,x is a sac*>imet]1       
expla9$ ,k5n$y1 also look+ at x1 an     
in/rum5t us$ to detect ! am\nt ( sug>   
held 9 solution1 a =m ( ! pol>iscope4   
,we won't g into ! sci5ce ( x n[4 ,x's r
 ab/ruse4  ,he 0 ab\t to turn back into 
! out] (fice :5 an idea seem$ to occur  
to him4 ,he took ! c>tridge f 8 pocket &
 c>efully scrap$ (f :at he c\ld ( ! p[d]
 t /ill adh]$ to ! out] rim4 ,x 0 j a   
bit1 b he dissolv$ x 9 "s liquid f a    
bottle on ! table1 fill$ "o ( ! clean   
glass tubes1 capp$ ! op5 end1 & plac$   
?is tube 9 ! sac*>imet] :]e ! fir/ "o ,i
 notic$ _h be54  ,c>efully he light$ !  
lamp1 !n squ9t$ ?r\gh ! eyepiece at !   

tube ( liquid conta9+ :at he _h d]iv$ f 
! c>tridge4 ,he made "s adju/m5ts1 & z  
he did s 8 face indicat$ t at la/ he    
began to see some?+ dimly4 ,! sac*>imet]
 _h op5$ ! fir/ rift 9 ! haze t surr\nd$
 ! case4  ,i ?9k ,i "k :at we h "h1 he  
said1 briefly1 ris+ & plac+ ! tube & its
 cont5ts 9 8 pocket ) ! o!r ?+s he _h   
discov]$4 ,( c\rse x is only a h9t4 ,?is
 in/rum5t won't tell me f9ally4 ,b x is 
wor? foll[+ up4  ,) a f9al glance ab\t  
to make sure t we _h ov]look$ no?+1     
,k5n$y clos$ & lock$ ! outside door4    
,i'm go+ directly up to ! laboratory1   
,walt]1 decid$ ,k5n$y4 ,mean:ile y c    
help me v mu* if y w look up ?is ,t]esa 
de ,leon4 ,i notic$ t ! ,new ,york      
lett]s 7 writt5 on ! /ation]y ( !       
,pan-,am]ica ,hotel4 ,get :at y c4 ,i   
leave x to y4 ,& if y c f9d out any?+   
ab\t ! o!rs1 s mu* ! bett]4 ,i'll see y 
z soon z y f9i%4  ,x 0 r a l>ge         
contract4 ,if ! /ory _h rea*$ ! newspap]
 /age1 ,i %\ld h kn[n h[ to g ab\t x4 ,=
 !re is no detective ag5cy 9 ! _w l !   

,/>1 & ev5 on ! sl5d] basis t we _h1 ) a
 flock ( report]s deploy$ at e po9t 9 ! 
city1 ) telephones1 wires1 & cables     
busily engag$1 ,i might h ga!r$         
priceless in=mation 9 a few h\rs4 ,b1 z 
x 01 :atev] 0 to be got mu/ be got by me
 alone4  ,i f\nd ,t]esa de ,leon regi/]$
 at ! ,pan-,am]ica1 z ,craig _h surmis$4
 ,su* inquiries z ,i 0 able to make ab\t
 ! hotel did n %[ a trace ( reason =    
believ+ t ,jose ,b>rios _h be5 numb]$   
among h] visitors4 ,:ile t prov$ no?+ z 
to ! relations ( ! two1 x 0 at lea/     
reassur+ z f> z ,anitra & ,eulalie 7    
conc]n$1 &1 aft] all1 z 9 su* cases1 ?is
 0 _! /ory4  ,n hav+ be5 able to le>n   
mu* ab\t ! lady1 ,i decid$ f9ally to s5d
 up my c>d1 & to my satisfaction %e s5t 
back ^w t %e w\ld receive me 9 ! p>lor (
 ! hotel4  ,t]esa de ,leon prov$ to be a
 really /rik+ type ( ,lat9-,am]ican     
beauty4 ,%e 0 no long] "y1 b !re 0 an   
elusiv5ess ab\t h] p]sonality t made a m
 fasc9at+ /udy ?an y\?4 ,i felt t ) su* 
a woman directness might be m ( a       

surprise ?an subtlety4  ,i suppose y "k 
t ,s5or ,b>rios is v s]i\sly ill8 ,i    
v5tur$1 9 answ] to h] inquir+ gaze t    
play$ f my c>d to my face4  ,= a fleet+ 
in/ant %e look$ />tl$4 ,yet %e betray$  
no?+ z to :e!r x 0 fe> or surprise4  ,i 
h call$ 8 (fice sev]al times1 %e repli$1
 b no "o answ]$4 ,ev5 ,s5or ,s&oval 0 n 
!re4  ,i felt t %e 0 c\nt]+ z clev]ly z 
,i might lead4 ,!n y "k ,mr4 ,s&oval    
also8 ,i ask$1 add+1 & ,mr4 ,page8  ,i h
 kn[n ,s5or ,b>rios a long "t 9 ,cuba1  
%e answ]$1 & ! o!rs1 too--"h4  ,!re 0   
some?+ evasive ab\t h] answ]s4 ,%e 0    
try+ to say nei!r too mu* nor too       
little4 ,%e left "o 9 d\bt :e!r %e 0    
try+ to %ield h]self or to involve      
ano!r4 ,?\gh we *att$ sev]al m9utes1 ,i 
c\ld ga9 no?+ t w\ld lead me to judge h[
 intimately %e knew ,b>rios4 ,except t  
%e knew ,s&oval & ,page1 h] conv]sation 
might h be5 a replica ( ! lett]s we _h  
discov]$4 ,ev5 :5 %e h9t$ politely1 b   
f9ally1 t ! talk 0 ov] %e left me 9 d\bt
 ev5 :e!r %e 0 an adv5turess4 ,! woman 0

 an enigma4 ,_h rev5ge or jeal\sy br\ght
 h] to ,new ,york1 or 0 %e m]ely a tool 
9 ! h&s ( ano!r8  ,i 0 n ready to return
 to ,k5n$y m]ely ) ano!r unansw]$ "q1 & 
,i det]m9$ to /op aga9 at ! hotel :]e   
,b>rios & 8 si/] liv$1 9 ! hope ( pick+ 
up some?+ !re4  ,! cl]k at ! desk told  
me t no "o _h call$ s9ce we _h be5 !re1 
add+3 ,except ! tall g5tleman1 :o came  
back4 ,i ?9k ,s5orita ,b>rios came d[n &
 met him 9 ! tea-room4  ,wond]+ :e!r x 0
 ,page or ,s&oval ! cl]k meant1 ,i      
saunt]$ d[n ! corridor pa/ ! door ( !   
tea-room4 ,x 0 ,page ) :om ,anitra 0    
talk+4 ,!re 0 no way 9 :i* ,i c\ld he>  
:at 0 said1 al?\gh ,page 0 v e>ne/ &    
,anitra %[$ pla9ly t %e 0 anxi\s to     
return to ! sick-room up-/airs4  ,z ,i  
wat*$1 ,i took good c>e t ,i %\ld n be  
se54 ,x 0 well t ,i did1 = once :5 ,i   
look$ ab\t ,i saw t "s "o else 9 ano!r  
doorway 0 wat*+ !m1 too1 s int5tly t he 
did n see me4 ,x 0 ,s&oval4 ,jeal\sy (  
,page 0 writt5 9 e l9e ( 8 face4  ,/udy+
 ! ?ree1 :ile ,i c\ld n escape ! rivalry

 ( ! two m51 ,i 0 unable to see n[ or   
recollect any?+ t _h happ5$ :i* w\ld    
convey ev5 an inkl+ ( h] feel+s t[>d !m4
 ,yet ,i 0 conv9c$ t t way lay a problem
 q z important z relations betwe5 ! o!r 
triangle ( ,eulalie1 ,t]esa1 & ,b>rios4 
,i 0 n psy*ologi/ en\gh to deal ) ei!r  
triangle4 ,!re 0 some?+ t di/9ctly call$
 = ! high] ma!matics ( ,k5n$y4  ,det]m9$
 n to return to him entirely empty-m\!d1
 ,i ?\ght x w\ld be a good opportunity  
to see ,eulalie alone1 & hurri$ to !    
elevator1 :i* :isk$ me up to ! ,b>rios  
ap>tm5t4  ,doctor ,scott _h n left 8    
pati5t1 ?\gh he seem$ to realize t      
,eulalie 0 a mo/ effici5t nurse4  ,no   
*ange1 :isp]$ ! doctor1 except t he is  
rea*+ a crisis4  ,int]e/$ z ,i 0 9 !    
pati5t1 x _h be5 = ! purpose ( see+     
,eulalie t ,i _h come1 & ,i 0 glad :5   
,doctor ,scott left u a mom5t4  ,has    
,mr4 ,k5n$y f\nd out any?+ yet8 %e ask$1
 9 a tremul\s :isp]4  ,i ?9k he is on ! 
"r track n[1 ,i enc\rag$4 ,has any?+    
happ5$ "h8 ,rememb]--x is q z important 

t y %\ld tell him all z x is = him to   
tell y4  ,%e look$ at me a mom5t1 !n    
drew f a fold ( h] wai/ a yell[ pap]4 ,x
 0 a telegram4 ,i took x & read3        
,bew>e ( ,t]esa de ,leon1 ,hotel        
,pan-,am]ica4        ,a ,,fri5d4  ,y "k 
h]8 ,i ask$1 fold+ ! telegram1 b n      
return+ x4  ,eulalie look$ at me frankly
 & %ook h] head4 ,i h no idea :o %e is4 
,or ( :o s5t ! telegram8  ,none at all4 
,:5 did y receive x8  ,only a few m9utes
 ago4  ,"h 0 ano!r my/]y4 ,:o _h s5t !  
anonym\s telegram to ,eulalie s soon    
aft] x _h be5 evid5t t ,k5n$y _h ent]$ !
 case8 ,:at 0 its purpose8  ,i may keep 
?is8 ,i ask$1 indicat+ ! telegram4  ,i 0
 ab\t to s5d x to ,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 %e  
repli$4 ,oh1 ,i hope he w f9d some?+    
,won't y g to him & tell him to hurry8  
,i ne$$ no urg+1 n only = h] sake1 b    
also because ,i did n wi% to be se5 or  
to h ! receipt ( ! telegram by ,k5n$y   
kn[n s soon4  ,9 ! hotel ,i /opp$ only  
long en\gh to see t ,anitra 0 n[ hurry+ 
t[>d ! elevator1 eag] to get back to h] 

bro!r & oblivi\s to e "o ar\nd4 ,:at _h 
become ( ,page & ! s9i/] wat*] :om he _h
 n se5 ,i did n "k1 nor did ,i h "t to  
f9d out4  ,a few mom5ts lat] ,i rejo9$  
,k5n$y at ! laboratory4 ,he 0 /ill      
imm]s$ 9 "w1 &1 sc>cely /opp+1 nodd$ to 
me to tell :at ,i _h discov]$4 ,he li/5$
 ) int]e/ until ,i came to ! receipt ( !
 anonym\s telegram4  ,did y get x8 he   
ask$1 eag]ly4  ,he almo/ seiz$ x f my   
h&s z ,i pull$ x out ( my pocket & /udi$
 x int5tly4  ,/range1 he mutt]$4 ,any ( 
!m might h s5t x4  ,h y discov]$ any?+8 
,i ask$1 = ,i _h be5 wat*+ him1 consum$ 
by curiosity1 z ,i told my /ory4 ,d y "k
 yet h[ ! ?+ 0 done8  ,i ?9k ,i d1 he   
repli$1 ab/ract$ly4  ,h[ 0 x8 ,i        
prompt$1 = 8 m9d 0 n[ on ! telegram4  ,a
 poison-gas pi/ol1 he resum$1 com+ back 
to ! "w he _h j be5 do+4 ,in/ead (      
bullets1 ?is pi/ol us$ c>tridges *>g$ ) 
"s deadly p[d]4 ,x might h be5 some?+ l 
! ane/hetic pi/ol devis$ by ! police    
au?orities 9 ,p>is "s ye>s ago :5 !     
motor b&its 7 op]at+4  ,b :o c\ld h us$ 

x8 ,i ask$4  ,k5n$y did n answ]         
directly4 ,ei!r he 0 n q sure yet or did
 n feel t ! "t 0 ripe to haz>d a !ory4  
,9 ?is case1 he cont9u$1 aft] a mom5t's 
?\ght1 ,i %\ldn't be surpris$ if ev5 !  
wield] ( ! pi/ol probably wore a mask1  
d\bly effective1 = disguise & to protect
 ! wield] f ! fumes t 7 to ov]come !    
victim4  ,y h no idea :o x 08 ,i        
reit]at$4  ,be=e ,k5n$y c\ld answ] !re  
came a viol5t r+ at ! laboratory bell1 &
 ,i hurri$ to ! door4 ,x 0 "o ( !       
bell-boys f ! hotel :]e ! ,b>rioses _h  
_! ap>tm5t1 ) a message = ,k5n$y4       
,craig tore x op5 & read x hurri$ly4 ,f 
,doctor ,scott1 he said1 briefly1 9     
answ] to my anxi\s qu]y4 ,b>rios is     
dead4  ,ev5 ?\gh ,i _h be5 prep>$ = !   
news by my la/ visit1 dea? came z a     
%ock1 z x always does4 ,i _h felt all   
along t ,k5n$y _h be5 call$ 9 too late  
to d any?+ to save ,b>rios1 b ,i _h be5 
hop+ aga9/ hope4 ,b ,i knew t x 0 n too 
late to cat* ! crim9al :o _h done !     
da/>dly1 he>tless de$4 ,a few h\rs &    

p]haps all clues might h be5 cov]$ up4  
,b !re is always some?+ t goes wrong )  
crime1 always "s po9t :]e murd] _c be   
cov]$ up4 ,i ?9k if p c\ld only be got  
to realize x1 z my exp]i5ce bo? on ! ,/>
 & ) ,k5n$y h impress$ x on me1 murd]   
w\ld become a lo/ art4  ,)\t ano!r ^w   
,k5n$y seiz$ 8 hat & toge!r we hurri$ to
 ! hotel4  ,we f\nd ,anitra cry+ s(tly  
to h]self1 :ile ne> h] sat ,eulalie1    
te>less1 /unn$ by ! bl[1 brok5-he>t$4 ,9
 ! realization ( ! trag$y ev]y?+ _h be5 
=gott51 ev5 ! my/]i\s anonym\s telegram 
sign$1 ,judas-l1 ,a ,fri5d4  ,s&oval1 we
 le>n$1 _h be5 !re :5 ! end came1 & _h  
n[ gone out to make :at arrangem5ts 7   
necess>y4 ,i _h no?+ aga9/ ! man1 b ,i  
c\ld n help feel+ t1 n[ t ! bus9ess 0   
all ,anitra's1 might he n be ! "o to    
pr(it mo/ by ! dea?8 ,! fact 0 t ,k5n$y 
_h express$ s little op9ion on ! case s 
f> t ,i might be p>don$ = suspect+ any  
"o--ev5 ,t]esa de ,leon1 :o mu/ h se5   
,jose slipp+ away f h] 9 spite ( h]     
pursuit1 :atev] actuat$ x4  ,x 0 :ile ,i

 0 9 ! mid/ ( ^! fruitless speculations 
t ,doctor ,scott beckon$ u outside1 & we
 )drew quietly4  ,i don't "k t !re is   
any?+ m t ,i c d1 he rem>k$1 b ,i       
promis$ ,s5or ,s&oval t ,i w\ld /ay "h  
until he came back4 ,he begg$ me to1    
seems sc>cely to "k h[ to d en\gh to    
com=t 8 si/] & ,s5orita ,b>rios4  ,i    
li/5$ to ! doctor ke5ly4 ,0 x possible t
 ,s&oval _h "o ( ^? ,jekyll-,hyde       
natures :i* seem to be s common 9 "s (  
u8 ,_h 8 bett] nature yield$ to 8 worse8
 ,to my m9d t has (t5 be5 an explanation
 ( crime1 nev] an adequate def5se4      
,k5n$y 0 ab\t to say some?+ :5 !        
elevator door d[n ! hall op5$4 ,i       
expect$ t x 0 ,s&oval return+1 b x 0    
,burton ,page4  ,!y told me y 7 "h1 he  
said1 greet+ u4 ,i h be5 look+ all ov] =
 y1 d[n at y\r laboratory & at y\r      
ap>tm5t4 ,w\ld y m9d /epp+ d[n ar\nd !  
b5d 9 ! hall8  ,we excus$ ourselves f   
,doctor ,scott1 wond]+ :at ,page _h to  
reveal4  ,i knew ,s&oval _h n return$1  
he began z soon z we 7 out ( e>-%ot ( ! 

doctor1 & ,i don't want to see          
him--aga9--n aft] :at happ5$ ?is        
aft]noon4 ,! man is crazy4 ,we _h rea*$ 
an alcove & sank d[n into a s(t settee4 
,:y1 :at 0 t8 ,i ask$1 recall+ ! look ( 
hate on ! man's face z he _h wat*$ ,page
 talk+ to ,anitra 9 ! tea-room4  ,i'm   
giv+ y ?is = :at x may be wor?1 began   
,page1 turn+ f me to ,k5n$y4 ,d[n 9 !   
lobby ?is aft]noon1 aft] y _h be5 gone  
"s "t1 ,i happ5$ to run into ,s&oval4   
,he almo/ seiz$ hold ( me4 ',y h be5 at 
! (fice1' he said4 ',y've be5 rummag+   
ar\nd !re4' ,well1 ,i d5i$ x flatly4    
',:o took ^? lett]s8' he %ot back at me4
 ,all ,i c\ld d 0 to look at him4 ',i   
don't "k ab\t any lett]s4 ,:at lett]s8' 
,i ask$4 ,oh1 he's a que] fell[ all "r4 
,i ?\ght he 0 go+ to kill me by ! black 
look he gave me4 ,he cool$ d[n a bit1 b 
,i didn't wait = any apology4 ,! be/ ?+ 
to d ) ^! hot-head$ p is to cut out &   
let !m alone4  ,h[ d y acc\nt = 8 /range
 actions8 ask$ ,k5n$y4 ,h y ev] he>d    
any?+ m t he did8  ,page %rugg$ 8 %\ld]s

 z if 9 d\bt :e!r to say any?+1 !n      
decid$ quickly4 ,! o!r day ,i he>d      
,b>rios & ,s&oval 9 ! (fice4 ,!y 7 q    
excit$4 ,b>rios 0 talk+ l\dly4 ,i didn't
 "k at fir/ :at x 0 all ab\t4 ,b ,i soon
 f\nd out4 ,s&oval _h gone to him1 z !  
head ( ! family1 foll[+ _! cu/om1 ,i    
believe1 to ask :e!r he might seek to w9
 ,anitra4  ,h y ev] he>d ( ,t]esa de    
,leon8 int]rupt$ ,k5n$y sudd5ly4  ,page 
look$ at him & hesitat$4 ,!re's "s      
sc&al1 !re1 ,i'm afraid1 he nodd$1      
comb9+ 8 answ]s4 ,i he>d ,s&oval say    
some?+ ab\t h] to ,b>rios t day--w>n him
 aga9/ some?+4 ,t 0 :5 ! argum5t 0      
heat$4 ,x seem$ to make ,b>rios angry4  
,s&oval said some?+ ab\t ,b>rios refus+ 
to let him c\rt ,anitra :ile at ! same  
"t ,b>rios 0 engag$ to ,eulalie4 ,b>rios
 retort$ t ! cases 7 diff]5t4 ,he said  
he _h decid$ t ,anitra 0 go+ to m>ry an 
,am]ican millionaire4  ,!re c\ld be no  
d\bt ab\t h[ ,page himself int]pret$ !  
rem>k4 ,x 0 evid5t t he took x to mean  
himself4  ,s&oval _h w>n$ aga9/ ?is ,de 

,leon8 ask$ ,k5n$y1 evid5tly hav+ 9 m9d 
! anonym\s telegram4  ,some?+--,i don't 
"k :at x 0 all ab\t1 return$ ,page1 !n  
add$1 9 a bur/ ( confid5ce3 ,i nev] he>d
 ( ! lady until %e came to ,new ,york & 
introduc$ h]self to me4 ,= a "t %e 0    
int]e/+4 ,b ,i'm too old = t sort ( ?+4 
,besides1 %e always impress$ me z ?\gh  
%e _h "s ult]ior motive1 z ?\gh %e 0    
try+ to get at some?+ ?r\gh me4 ,i cut x
 all out4  ,k5n$y nodd$1 b = a mom5t    
said no?+4  ,i ?9k ,i'll be gett+ out1  
rem>k$ ,page1 ) a half smile4 ,i don't  
want a knife 9 ! back4 ,i ?\ght y ought 
to "k all ?is1 ?\gh4 ,& if ,i he> any?+ 
else ,i'll let y "k4  ,k5n$y ?ank$ him &
 toge!r we rode d[n 9 ! next elevator1  
p>t+ ) ,page at ! hotel entrance4  ,x 0 
/ill e>ly 9 ! ev5+1 & ,k5n$y _h no      
int5tion n[ ( wa/+ a mom5t4 ,he beckon$ 
= a cab & direct$ ! man to drive        
imm$iately to ! ,pan-,am]ica4  ,?is "t  
,t]esa de ,leon 0 pla9ly prep>$ = a     
visit1 ?\gh ,i am n sure t %e 0 prep>$  
to receive two visitors4  ,i believe y 7

 acqua9t$ ) ,s5ior ,b>rios1 :o di$      
to-night8 op5$ ,k5n$y1 aft] ,i _h       
introduc$ him4  ,he 0 acqua9t$ ) me1 %e 
correct$1 ) a purr 9 h] voice t sugge/$ 
claws4  ,y 7 n m>ri$ to him1 %ot out    
,k5n$y2 !n be=e %e c\ld reply1 nor ev5  
engag$4  ,he _h kn[n me a long "t4 ,we 7
 intimate--  ,fri5ds1 int]rupt$ ,k5n$y1 
leav+ no d\bt z to ! mean+ ( 8 emphasis4
  ,%e color$4 ,x 0 evid5t t1 at lea/ to 
h]1 x 0 m ?an fri5d%ip4  ,s5or ,s&oval  
says1 romanc$ ,k5n$y1 9 true detective  
/yle1 t y wrote--  ,x 0 h] turn to      
int]rupt4 ,if ,s5or ,s&oval says any?+  
aga9/ me1 he tells :at is n--! tru?4  ,9
 spite ( ,k5n$y's grill+ %e 0 /ill      
mi/ress ( h]self4  ,y introduc$ y\rself 
to ,burton ,page1 &--  ,y _h bett]      
rememb] y\r own prov]b1 %e retort$4     
,don't believe any?+ y he> & only half y
 see4  ,k5n$y snapp$ d[n ! yell[        
telegram be=e h]4 ,x 0 a dramatic mom5t4
 ,! woman did n fl9* at ! anonym\s      
implication4 ,/raight into ,k5n$y's eyes
 %e %ot a p5etrat+ glance4  ,wat* bo? ( 

,,!m1 %e repli$1 %ortly1 !n turn$ &     
delib]ately swept out ( ! hotel p>lor z 
?\gh d>+ u to g z f> z we c>$4  ,i ?9k  
we h />t$ =ces work+ = u1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y1
 coolly consult+ 8 wat*4 ,= ! pres5t at 
lea/ let u retire to ! laboratory4 ,"s  
"o w make a move4 ,my game is to play "o
 aga9/ ! o!r--until ! real "o breaks4   
,we _h sc>cely swit*$ on ! lights &     
,k5n$y 0 *eck+ ov] ! results he _h      
obta9$ dur+ 8 aft]noon's inve/igations1 
:5 ! door 0 flung op5 & a man da%$ 9 on 
u unexpect$ly4 ,x 0 ,s&oval1 & z he     
advanc$ furi\sly at ,k5n$y ,i m ?an fe>$
 t ,page's idea 0 correct4  ,x 0 y1     
,k5n$y1 he hiss$1 :o took ^? lett]s f   
,jose's desk4 ,x is y--or ,page back (  
y--:o are try+ to connect me ) t woman1 
,de ,leon4 ,b let me tell y--  ,a %>p   
click back ( ,s&oval caus$ him to cut   
%ort ! rem>k & look ab\t appreh5sively4 
,k5n$y's f+]1 slid+ along ! edge ( !    
laboratory table1 _h m]ely f\nd an      
electric button by :i* he c\ld snap !   
lock on ! door4  ,we are two to "o1     

return$ ,k5n$y1 non*alantly4 ,t 0 no?+ b
 ! lock on ! door clos+4 ,mr4 ,jameson  
has a revolv] 9 ! top draw] ( 8 desk ov]
 !re4 ,y w p>don me if ,i d a little    
telephon+--?r\gh ! c5tral (fice ( !     
detective bureau8 ,"s ( our fri5ds may n
 be ov]anxi\s to come "h1 & x may be    
necess>y to compel _! att5dance4        
,s&oval subsid$ into a sull5 sil5ce z   
,k5n$y made arrangem5ts to h ,burton    
,page1 ,anitra1 ,eulalie1 & ,t]esa de   
,leon hurri$ to u at once4  ,!re 0 no?+ 
= me to d b wat* ,s&oval z ,k5n$y prep>$
 a little in/rum5t ) a scale & dial ^u  
:i* re/$ an indicator resembl+ a wat*   
h&1 some?+ l ! new horizontal clocks :i*
 h only "o h& to regi/] seconds1 m9utes1
 & h\rs4 ,9 !m1 l a !rmomet] held       
sidewise1 ! h& moves along f z]o to     
tw5ty-f\r4 ,9 ?is in/rum5t a little     
ne$le did ! same ?+4 ,pairs ( little    
wire-l /r+s ran to ! in/rum5t4  ,k5n$y  
_h f9i%$ adju/+ ano!r in/rum5t :i* 0 mu*
 l ! sac*>imet]1 only m complicat$1 :5 !
 rac+ ( an eng9e outside ann\nc$ !      

arrival ( ! p>ty 9 "o ( ! police        
dep>tm5t c>s4  ,betwe5 u1 ,craig & ,i   
lo/ no "t 9 dispos+ ! visitors s t ea* 0
 9 possession ( a pair ( ! wire-l /r+s1 
& !n disda9+ to expla9 :y he _h ga!r$ !m
 toge!r s unc]emoni\sly1 ,k5n$y turn$ & 
f9i%$ adju/+ ! o!r app>atus4  ,mo/ p    
reg>d light1 s abundant1 s necess>y1 s  
free z a matt] ( c\rse1 he rem>k$1      
contemplatively4 ,n "o p]son 9 t5 ?\s&  
ev] ?9ks ( its my/]i\s nature or ev]    
attempts to inve/igate x4 ,9 fact1 mo/ (
 u are 9 utt] d>kness z to light4  ,he  
paus$1 tapp$ ! ma*9e & w5t on1 ,?is is a
 pol>imet]--a simple pol>iscope--a /ep  
beyond ! sac*>imet]1 he expla9$1 ) a nod
 at ,s&oval4 ,x detects diff]5ces (     
/ructure 9 sub/ances n visible 9 ord9>y 
light4  ,light is pol>iz$ 9 sev]al      
ways--by reflection1 by transmission1 b 
mo/ commonly ?r\gh :at ,i h "h1 a prism 
( calcite1 or ,icel& sp>1 commonly call$
 a ,nicol prism4 ,light fully pol>iz$   
consi/s ( vibrations transv]se to !     
direction ( ! ray1 all 9 "o plane4      

,ord9>y light has transv]se vibrations 9
 all planes4 ,c]ta9 sub/ances1 due to _!
 molecul> /ructure1 are transp>5t to    
vibrations 9 "o plane1 b opaque to ^? at
 "r angles4  ,"h we h1 he expla9$1 tapp+
 ! p>ts 9 ord]1 a s\rce ( light1 pass+ 9
 ?r\gh ?is ap]ture1 "h a ,nicol pol>iz]1
 next a liquid to be exam9$ 9 a         
glass-capp$ tube2 "h on ?is o!r side an 
arrangem5t ( qu>tz plates ) rot>y p[]   
:i* ,i w expla9 9 a mom5t1 next an      
analyz]1 & f9ally ! ap]ture = ! eye ( an
 obs]v]4  ,k5n$y adju/$ ! glass tube    
conta9+ ! liquid :i* bore ! sub/ance    
scrap$ f ! c>tridge--he _h pick$ up 9 ! 
(fice ( ,jose4 ,look ?r\gh ! eyepiece1  
,walt]1 he direct$4  ,! field appe>$    
halv$4 ,he made an adju/m5t & at once ! 
field ( vision appe>$ :olly ! same t9t4 
,:5 he remov$ ! tube x 0 d>k4  ,if a    
liquid has n :at we call rot>y p[] bo?  
halves ( ! d\ble disk appe> ( ! same    
t9t1 he expla9$4 ,if x has rot>y p[]1 ! 
halves appe> ( diff]5t t9ts & ! degree (
 rotation is measur$ by ! alt]ation (   

?ickness ( ?is d\ble qu>tz plate        
necess>y to c\nt]act x4 ,x is1 z ,i told
 ,mr4 ,jameson e>ly to-day1 a r ab/ruse 
subject1 ?is ( pol>iz$ light4 ,i %all n 
bore y ) x1 b ,i ?9k y w see 9 a mom5t  
:y x is necess>y1 p]haps :y "s "o :o    
knew ?\ght x w\ld nev] be us$4  ,:at ,i 
am gett+ at n[ is t "s sub/ances ) !    
same *emical =mula rotate pol>iz$ light 
to ! "r1 are dextro-rot>y1 z1 = in/ance1
 :at is kn[n z dextrose4 ,o!rs rotate x 
to ! left1 are levo-rot>y1 z ! sub/ance 
call$ levose4 ,bo? ( !m are glucose4 ,s 
!re are sub/ances :i* give ! same       
*emical reactions :i* c only be di/+ui%$
 by _! be+ left or "r rot>y4  ,craig    
took a bit ( cry/all9e p[d] & dissolv$ x
 9 e!r4 ,!n he add$ "s /rong sulphuric  
acid4 ,! liquid turn$ yell[1 !n sl[ly a 
bright sc>let4 ,beside ! fir/ he repeat$
 ! op]ation ) ano!r simil>-look+ p[d]1 )
 ! id5tical result4  ,bo? ( ^?1 he      
rem>k$1 hold+ up ! vials1 7 samples (   
pure v]atr9e1 b obta9$ f diff]5t s\rces4
 ,y see ! brilliant                     

reaction--unmi/akable4 ,b x makes all ! 
diff]5ce 9 ! _w 9 ?is case :at 0 ! s\rce
 ( ! v]atr9e4 ,x may mean ! guilt or    
innoc5ce ( "o ( y4  ,he paus$1 to let ! 
significance ( 8 rem>k s9k 94 ,v]atr9e1 
he resum$1 is a =m ( hellebore1 kn[n to 
g>d5]s = its fatal effect on insects4   
,!re are :ite & gre5 hellebore1 ,v]atrum
 alba & ,v]atrum viride4 ,x is ! pure   
alkaloid1 or r "o ( !m1 t we h to deal )
 "h--v]atr9e4  ,!re are v>i\s s\rces (  
v]atr9e4 ,= in/ance1 !re is ! v]atr9e t 
may be d]iv$ f ! sabadilla se$s :i* gr[ 
9 ! ,we/ ,indies & ,mexico4 ,x is us$1  
,i am in=m$1 by ! ,g]mans 9 _!          
la*rymatory & asphyxiat+ bombs4  ,!     
m5tion ( ! ,we/ ,indies br\ght1 l a     
fla%1 to my m9d ,s&oval & ,s5orita de   
,leon4  ,!n1 too1 cont9u$ ,k5n$y1 !re is
 a plant out 9 our own ,we/]n c\ntry1 ( 
:i* y may h he>d1 kn[n z ! dea? camas1 v
 fatal to cattle :5 !y eat x4 ,! active 
pr9ciple 9 ?is is also v]atr9e4  ,i     
began to see :at ,k5n$y 0 driv+ at4 ,if 
x 7 v]atr9e d]iv$ f dea? camas x w\ld   

po9t t[>d ,page4  ,abd]hald51 ! great   
,g]man physiological *emi/1 has discov]$
 t sub/ances t once get into ! blood    
produce specific f]m5ts4 ,n long ago1 9 
a case1 ,i %[$ x by ! use ( dialyz+     
membranes4 ,b ,abd]hald5 has f\nd t !   
pol>iscope c %[ x also4 ,& 9 ?is case   
only ! pol>iscope c %[ :at *emi/ry _c %[
 :5 we rea* ! po9t ( te/+ ,s5or         
,b>rios's blood--if t becomes necess>y4 
,x 0 pla9 t ,k5n$y 0 confid5t4 ,!re are 
o!r s\rces ( drugs ( ! nature us$ 9 ?is 
case to asphyxiate & kill1 b ! active   
pr9ciple ( all is v]atr9e4 ,! po9t is1  
v]atr9e f :at s\rce8 ,! sabadilla is    
dextro-rot>y2 ! dea? camas is           
levo-rot>y4 ,:i* is x "h8  ,z ,i tri$ to
 figure out ! ramifications ( ! case1 ,i
 c\ld see t x 0 a cruel situation = "o  
or ! o!r ( ! girls4 ,0 "o ( h] lov]s !  
murd]] ( ,anitra's bro!r8 ,or 0 h] own  
bro!r ! murd]] ( ,eulalie's lov]8 ,i    
look$ at ! faces be=e me1 n[ t5sely     
wat*+ ,k5n$y1 =getful ( ! wire-l /r+s   
:i* !y held 9 _! h&s4 ,i /udi$ ,t]esa de

 ,leon int5tly = a :ile4 ,%e 0 /ill !   
enigma :i* %e _h be5 ! fir/ "t ,i saw   
h]4  ,k5n$y paus$ long en\gh to look    
?r\gh ! eyepiece aga9 z if to reassure  
himself f9ally t he 0 "r4 ,!re 0 a      
tantaliz+ susp5se z we wait$ = ! v]dict 
( sci5ce on ?is int5sely human trag$y4  
,!n he turn$ to ! que] in/rum5t ov] :i* 
! ne$le-h& 0 mov+4  ,?\gh "s sci5ti/s   
w\ld call ?is m]ely a s5sitive =m (     
galvanomet]1 he rem>k$1 x is1 to me1 m  
?an t4 ,x regi/]s feel+s1 emotions4 ,x  
has be5 regi/]+ y\r own e mom5t t ,i h  
be5 talk+4  ,b mo/ ( all x regi/]s ! gr&
 passion4 ,i might ev5 call x a love    
met]4 ,love might seem to be a subject  
:i* c\ld n be inve/igat$4 ,b ev5 love c 
be attribut$ to electrical =ces1 or1    
p]haps bett]1 is express$ by ! g5]ation 
( an electric curr5t1 z ?\gh !          
attraction betwe5 m5 & wom5 7 ! giv+ (f 
( electrons or radiations ( "o to ! o!r4
 ,i h se5 ?is galvanomet] /ation>y dur+ 
! ord9>y meet+ ( m5 & wom51 yet exhibit 
all sorts ( /range vibrations :5 true   

lov]s meet4  ,n us$ to ,k5n$y's peculi> 
me?ods1 !y 7 n[ on gu>d1 ignorant ( !   
fact t t alone 0 suffici5t to           
corroborate unescapably any evid5ce !y  
_h already giv5 ( _! feel+s t[>d ea*    
o!r4  ,k5n$y pass$ lightly ov] ! torn & 
ble$+ he>t ( ,eulalie4 ,b1 mu* z he     
dislik$ to d s1 he c\ld n s quickly pass
 ,anitra4 ,9 spite ( h] grief1 ,i c\ld  
see t %e 0 /riv+ to control h]self4 ,a  
quick blu% suffus$ h] face & h] brea?   
came & w5t fa/]4  ,?is record1 w5t on   
,k5n$y1 l[]+ 8 voice1 tells me t two m5 
are 9 love ) ,anitra ,b>rios4 ,i w n say
 :i* exhibits ! deep]1 tru] passion4 ,y 
%all see = y\rself 9 a mom5t4 ,b1 m ?an 
t1 x tells me :i* ( ! two %e c>es =     
mo/--a secret h] he>t w\ld nev] p]mit h]
 lips to disclose4 ,nor w ,i disclose x4
  ,"o ( !m1 ) supreme egotism1 0 s sure 
t he w\ld w9 h] he>t t he plott$ ?is    
murd] ( h] bro!r s t %e w\ld h ! :ole   
e/ate to br+ to him--a t]rible price = a
 d[ry4 ,my love met] tells me1 h[ev]1 t 
,anitra has some?+ to say ab\t x yet4   

,%e does n love ?is man4  ,z = ,t]esa de
 ,leon1 x 0 jeal\sy t impell$ h] to     
foll[ ,jose ,b>rios f ,cuba to ,new     
,york4 ,! murd]]1 9 8 s*em+1 knew x1 saw
 a *ance to use h]1 to enc\rage h]1     
p]haps ?r[ suspicion on h]1 if necess>y4
 ,:5 ,i came uncom=tably close to him he
 ev5 s5t an anonym\s telegram t might   
po9t t[>d h]4 ,x 0 s5t by ! same p]son  
:o /ole 9 ,b>rios's (fice & %ot him ) an
 asphyxiat+ pi/ol :i* dis*>g$ a fatal   
quantity ( pure v]atr9e full at him4    
,my love met]1 9 regi/]+ hidd5 emotions1
 supplem5ts :at ! pol>imet] tells me4 ,x
 0 ! levo-rot>y v]atr9e ( ! fatal dea?  
camas :i* y us$1 ,page1 conclud$ ,craig1
 z aga9 ! electric atta*m5t click$ %ut !
 lock on ! laboratory door4     ,,viii  
,,! ,,vital ,,pr9ciple   ,t's ! h&writ+ 
( a woman--a jeal\s woman1 rem>k$       
,k5n$y1 h&+ to me a da9ty note on pla9  
pap] :i* _h come 9 ! morn+ mail4        
,i did n /op to /udy ! writ+1 = !       
cont5ts ( !      lett] 7 m fasc9at+ ?an 
ev5 ,k5n$y's new sci5ce      (          

graphology4       ,y don't "k me ! note 
read1 b ,i "k ( y\r "w      ( sci5tific 
inve/igation4       ,let me in=m y (    
some?+ t ought to int]e/ y4       ,9 !  
,=um ,ap>tm5ts y w f9d t !re is "s      
/range disease affect+ ! ,w>dlaw family4
 ,x is a que]      disease ( ! n]ves4   
,"o is dead4 ,o!rs are dy+4       ,look 
into x4       ,a ,,fri5d4  ,z ,i read x 
,i ask$ myself va9ly :at x c\ld mean4   
,!re 0 no direct accusation aga9/ any   
"o1 yet ! implication 0 pla94 ,a woman  
_h be5 mov$ by "o ( ! primal passions to
 betray--"s "o4  ,i look$ up f ! note on
 ! table at ,craig4 ,he 0 /ill /udy+ !  
h&writ+4  ,x's t peculi> v]tical1 angul>
 h& affect$ by _m wom51 he comm5t$1 half
 to himself4 ,ev5 at a glance y c see t 
x's writt5 ha/ily1 z if "u ! /ress (    
excitem5t & sudd5 resolution4 ,y'll     
notice h[ ^? capitals-- ,! laboratory   
door op5$1 int]rupt+ him4  ,hello1      
,k5n$y1 greet$ ,doctor ,leslie1 our     
fri5d1 ! coron]'s physician1 :o _h      
rec5tly be5 appo9t$ ,heal? ,commission] 

( ! city4  ,x 0 ! fir/ "t we _h se5 him 
s9ce ! appo9tm5t & we ha/5$ to          
congratulate him4 ,he ?ank$ u abs5tly1 &
 x 0 evid5t t !re 0 some?+ on 8 m9d1 "s 
problem :i*1 9 8 new (fice1 he felt t he
 mu/ solve if = no o!r purpose ?an to   
ju/ify 8 reputation4 ,craig said no?+1  
pref]r+ to let ! commission] come to !  
po9t 9 8 own way4  ,d y "k1 ,k5n$y1 he  
said1 at l5g?1 turn+ 9 8 *air & fac+ u1 
,i believe we h f\nd "o ( ! /range/     
cases 9 ! hi/ory ( ! dep>tm5t4  ,!      
commission] paus$1 !n w5t on1 quickly1  
,x looks z if x 7 no?+ less ?an an      
epidemic ( b]ib]i--n on a %ip com+ into 
port z s (t5 happ5s1 b actually 9 ! he>t
 ( ! city4  ,b]ib]i--9 ,new ,york8 qu]i$
 ,craig1 incr$ul\sly4  ,x looks l x1    
reit]at$ ,leslie1 9 ! family ( a ,doctor
 ,w>dlaw1 up-t[n "h1 9 ! ,=um--  ,k5n$y 
_h already %ov$ ov] ! lett] he _h j     
receiv$4 ,leslie did n f9i% ! s5t5ce1 b 
read ! note 9 amazem5t4  ,:at are !     
symptoms8 inquir$ ,craig4  ,:at makes y 
?9k x is b]ib]i1 ( all ?+s8  ,because !y

 %[ ! symptoms ( b]ib]i1 p]si/$ ,leslie1
 dogg$ly4 ,y "k :at !y are l4 ,if y c>e 
to g into ! matt] ,i ?9k ,i c conv9ce y4
  ,! commission] 0 /ill hold+ ! lett] & 
gaz+1 puzzl$1 f x to u4 ,x seem$ z if he
 reg>d$ x m]ely z confirm+ 8 own        
suspicions t some?+ 0 wrong1 ev5 ?\gh x 
%$ no real light on ! matt]4  ,h[ did y 
fir/ he> ( x8 prompt$ ,k5n$y4  ,leslie  
answ]$ frankly4 ,x came to ! att5tion ( 
! dep>tm5t z ! result ( a re=m ,i h     
inaugurat$4 ,:5 ,i w5t 9 (fice ,i f\nd t
 _m ( ! dea? c]tificates 7 faulty1 & 9 !
 c\rse ( our inve/igations we ran across
 "o t seem$ to be mo/ vaguely word$4 ,i 
don't "k yet :e!r x 0 ignorance--or     
some?+ worse4 ,b x />t$ an inquiry4 ,i  
c't say t ,i'm ?or\ghly satisfi$ ) !    
am5d$ c]tificate ( ! physician :o att5d$
 ,mrs4 ,m>bury1 ! "m ( ,doctor ,w>dlaw's
 wife1 :o di$ ab\t a week ago--,doctor  
,aitk54  ,!n ,w>dlaw didn't att5d h]    
himself8 ask$ ,k5n$y4  ,oh no4 ,he      
c\ldn't1 "u ! circum/ances1 z ,i'll %[ y
 pres5tly1 aside f ! m$ical e?ics ( !   

case4 ,aitk5 0 ! family physician ( !   
,m>burys4  ,k5n$y glanc$ at ! note4 ,"o 
is dead4 ,o!rs are dy+1 he read4 ,:o are
 ! o!rs8 ,:o else is /rick58  ,:y1      
cont9u$ ,leslie1 eag] to unburd5 8 /ory1
 ,w>dlaw himself has ! m>ks ( a n]v\s   
affection z pla9ly z ! eye c see x4 ,y  
"k :at x is 9 ?is disease1 z ?\gh !     
n]ves 7 wa/+ away4 ,b he doesn't seem   
half z badly affect$ z 8 wife4 ,!y tell 
me ,maude ,m>bury 0 q a beauty once1 &  
photographs ,i h se5 prove x4 ,%e's a   
wreck n[4 ,&1 ( c\rse1 ! old lady mu/ h 
be5 ! mo/ s]i\sly affect$ ( !m all4  ,:o
 else is !re 9 ! h\sehold8 inquir$      
,k5n$y1 gr[+ m & m int]e/$4  ,well1     
answ]$ ,leslie1 sl[ly1 !y've _h a nurse 
= "s "t1 ,natalie ,langdale4 ,app>5tly  
%e has escap$4  ,any s]vants8  ,"s by ! 
day2 only "o regul>ly--a ,japanese1     
,kato4 ,he goes home at night1 too4     
,!re's no evid5ce ( ! disease hav+      
affect$ him4  ,i caught ,leslie's eye z 
he gave ! la/ in=mation4 ,?\gh ,i did n 
"k mu* ab\t b]ib]i1 ,i _h read ( x1 &   

knew t x 0 especially preval5t 9 !      
,ori5t4 ,i did n "k :at importance to   
atta* to ,kato & 8 go+ home at night4   
,h y done any inve/igat+ y\rself8 ask$  
,k5n$y4  ,leslie hesitat$ a mom5t1 z    
?\gh deprecat+ 8 own ef=ts 9 t l9e1 ?\gh
 :5 he spoke ,i c\ld see no reason :y he
 %\ld1 except t x _h s (t5 happ5$ t     
,k5n$y _h se5 ! obvi\s :i* 0 hidd5 f mo/
 ( ^? :o consult$ him4  ,yes1 he repli$1
 ,i ?\ght p]haps !re might be "s motive 
back ( x all :i* ,i might discov]4      
,possibly x 0 old ,mrs4 ,m>bury's       
=tune--n a l>ge "o1 b sub/antial4 ,s x  
occurr$ to me t ! w might %[ x4 ,i h be5
 to ! surrogate4  ,&8 prompt$ ,k5n$y1   
approv+ly4  ,mrs4 ,m>bury's w has       
already be5 (f]$ = probate4 ,x directs1 
among o!r ?+s1 t tw5ty-five ?\s& doll>s 
be giv5 by h] daught]1 to :om %e leaves 
! bulk ( h] =tune1 to ,doctor ,aitk51 :o
 _h be5 ,mr4 ,m>bury's physician & h]   
own4  ,leslie look$ at u significantly1 
b ,k5n$y made no comm5t4  ,w\ld y l to g
 up !re & see !m8 urg$ ! commission]1   

anxi\s to get ,craig's f9al ^w on :e!r  
he w\ld co-op]ate 9 ! affair4  ,i       
c]ta9ly %\ld1 return$ ,k5n$y1 he>tily1  
fold+ up ! lett] :i* _h fir/ attract$ 8 
int]e/4 ,x looks z if !re 7 m to ?is ?+ 
?an a m]e disease1 h[ev] unusual4       
,doctor ,leslie c\ld n conceal 8        
satisfaction1 & )\t delay+ a mom5t m ?an
 0 necess>y hurri$ u out into "o ( !    
dep>tm5t c>s1 :i* he _h left wait+      
outside1 & direct$ ! driv] to take u to 
! ,=um ,ap>tm5ts1 "o ( ! newe/ & mo/    
fa%ionable on ! ,drive4  ,miss ,langdale
 met u at ! door & admitt$ u into !     
ap>tm5t4 ,%e 0 a /rik+ type ( tra9$     
nurse1 "o ( ^? :o seem bubbl+ ov] )     
heal? & vivacity4 ,%e seem$ solicit\s ( 
h] pati5ts & reluctant to h !m di/urb$1 
yet app>5tly n d>+ to refuse to admit   
,doctor ,leslie4 ,!re 0 no?+ 9 h]       
solicitude1 h[ev]1 t "o c\ld take       
exception to4  ,miss ,langdale conduct$ 
u s(tly d[n a hallway ?r\gh ! middle ( !
 ap>tm5t1 & ,i not$ quickly h[ x 0 laid 
out4 ,on "o side we pass$ a h&somely    

furni%$ p>lor & d9+-room1 opposite :i* 7
 ! kit*5 & butl]'s pantry1 &1 f>!r      
along1 a b$room & ! ba?4 ,on d[n ! hall1
 on ! "r1 0 ,doctor ,w>dlaw's /udy1 or r
 d51 = x 0 m ( a libr>y ?an an (fice4   
,! nurse l$ ! way1 & we ent]$4 ,?r\gh ! 
w9d[s "o caught a beautiful vi/a ( !    
,drive1 ! riv]1 & ! ,j]sey %ore4 ,i gaz$
 ab\t curi\sly4 ,ar\nd ! room !re 7     
bookcases & cab9ets1 a desk1 "s         
easy-*airs1 & 9 ! corn] a table on :i* 7
 "s ( ,w>dlaw's p>aph]nalia1 =1 al?\gh  
he 0 n a practis+ physician1 he /ill    
specializ$ 9 8 favorite bran*es ( eye & 
e> surg]y4  ,miss ,langdale left u a    
mom5t1 ) a ha/y excuse t %e mu/ prep>e  
,mrs4 ,w>dlaw = ! unexpect$ visit4 ,!   
prep>ation1 h[ev]1 did n take long1 = a 
mom5t lat] ,maude ,w>dlaw ent]$1        
support$ by h] nurse4  ,h] lips mov$    
me*anically z %e saw u1 b we c\ld n he> 
:at %e said4 ,z %e walk$1 ,i c\ld see t 
%e _h a peculi> gait1 z ?\gh %e 7 always
 lift+ h] feet ov] small ob/acles4 ,h]  
eyes1 too1 z %e look$ at u1 _h a /range 

squ9t1 & n[ & !n ! muscles ( h] face    
twit*$4 ,%e glanc$ f ,leslie to ,k5n$y  
inquir+ly1 z ,leslie introduc$ u1 imply+
 t we 7 f 8 (fice1 !n dropp$ into !     
easy-*air4 ,h] brea?+ seem$ to be labor$
 & h] he>t action feeble1 z ! nurse     
propp$ h] up com=tably4  ,z ,mrs4       
,w>dlaw's h& re/$ on ! arm ( ! *air ,i  
saw t !re 0 a peculi> flexion ( h] wri/ 
:i* rem9d$ me ( ! s-call$ wri/-drop (   
:i* ,i _h he>d4 ,x 0 almo/ z if !       
muscles ( h] h&s & arms1 feet & legs1 7 
weak & wa/+4 ,once %e _h be5 beautiful1 
& ev5 n[1 al?\gh %e seem$ to be a wreck 
( h] =m] self1 %e _h a sort ( e!real    
beauty t 0 v t\*+4  ,doctor is out--j   
n[1 %e hesitat$1 9 a tone t h9t$ at !   
loss ( h] voice4 ,%e turn$ appeal+ly to 
,miss ,langdale4 ,oh1 %e murmur$1 ,i    
feel s badly ?is morn+--z if p9s &      
ne$les 7 /ick+ 9 me--vague pa9s 9 all my
 limbs--  ,h] voice sank to a :isp] &   
only h] lips mov$ feebly4 ,"o _h only to
 see h] to feel sympa?y4 ,x seem$ almo/ 
cruel to intrude "u ! circum/ances1 yet 

x 0 absolutely necess>y if ,craig 7 to  
accompli% any?+4 ,maude ,w>dlaw1 h[ev]1 
did n seem to compreh5d ! significance (
 our pres5ce1 & ,i wond]$ h[ ,k5n$y w\ld
 proce$4  ,i %\ld l to see y\r ,japanese
 s]vant1 ,kato1 he began1 directly1     
some:at to my surprise1 address+ himself
 r to ,miss ,langdale ?an to ,mrs4      
,w>dlaw4  ,! nurse nodd$ & left ! room  
)\t a ^w1 z ?\gh appreciat+ ! anomal\s  
position 9 :i* %e 0 plac$ z tempor>y    
mi/ress ( ! h\sehold4  ,a few mom5ts    
lat] ,kato ent]$4 ,he 0 a typical       
specim5 ( ! suave ,ori5tal1 & ,i ey$ him
 ke5ly1 = to me ,ea/ 0 ,ea/ & ,we/ 0    
,we/1 & ,i 0 frankly suspici\s1         
especially z ,i saw no reason to be     
o!rwise 9 ,k5n$y's mann]4 ,i wait$      
eag]ly to see :at ,craig w\ld d4  ,sit  
"h1 direct$ ,k5n$y1 indicat+ a          
/raight-back$ *air1 on :i* ! ,japanese  
ob$i5tly sat4 ,n[ cross y\r knees4  ,z  
,kato compli$1 ,k5n$y quickly br\ght 8  
h&1 held flat & palm upw>d1 %>ply aga9/ 
! ,jap's knee j bel[ ! kneecap4 ,!re 0 a

 quick reflex j]k ( ! leg bel[ ! knee 9 
response4  ,q natural1 ,k5n$y :isp]$1   
turn+ to ,leslie1 :o nodd$4  ,he        
dismiss$ ,kato )\t fur!r que/ion+1 hav+ 
_h an opportunity to obs]ve :e!r he %[$ 
any ( ! symptoms t _h appe>$ 9 ! re/ ( !
 family4 ,craig & ! ,heal? ,commission] 
ex*ang$ a few words "u _! brea?1 !n     
,craig cross$ ! room to ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw4  
,! entrance ( ,kato _h r\s$ h] mom5t>ily
 & %e _h be5 wat*+ :at 0 go+ on4  ,x is 
a simple te/1 expla9$ ,k5n$y1 indicat+  
to ,miss ,langdale t he wi%$ to repeat x
 on h] pati5t4  ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw's knee %[$
 no reflex6 ,z he turn$ to u1 we c\ld   
see t ,k5n$y's face 0 l9$ deeply )      
?\ght1 & he pac$ up & d[n ! room once or
 twice1 consid]+ :at he _h obs]v$4  ,i  
c\ld see t ev5 ?is simple int]view _h   
greatly fatigu$ ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw4 ,miss    
,langdale said no?+1 b x 0 pla9ly evid5t
 t %e object$ /rongly to ! /ra9 on h]   
pati5t's /r5g?4  ,t w be suffici5t1     
nodd$ ,craig1 notic+ ! nurse4 ,?ank y v 
mu*4 ,i ?9k y _h bett] let ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw

 re/ 9 h] own room4  ,on ! nurse's arm  
,mrs4 ,w>dlaw )drew & ,i look$ inquir+ly
 f ,k5n$y to ,doctor ,leslie4 ,:at 0 x t
 _h made ?is beautiful woman su* a      
wreck8 ,x seem$ almo/ z ?\gh ! h& ( fate
 _h /ret*$ out aga9/ "o :o _h all to    
make h] happy--weal?1 y\?1 a beautiful  
home--= ! sull5 purpose ( tak+ away :at 
_h be5 be/[$ s b\nte\sly4  ,x is        
polyneuritis1 all "r1 ,leslie1 ,craig   
agre$1 ! mom5t we 7 alone4  ,i ?9k s1   
co9cid$ ,leslie1 ) a nod4 ,x's ! ,,cause
 ,i c't get at4 ,is x polyneuritis (    
b]ib]i--or some?+ else8 ,k5n$y did n    
reply imm$iately4  ,!n !re are o!r      
causes8 ,i inquir$ ( ,leslie4  ,alcohol1
 he return$1 briefly4 ,i don't ?9k t    
figures 9 ?is in/ance4 ,at lea/ ,i've   
se5 no evid5ce4  ,p]haps "s drug8 ,i    
haz>d$ at a v5ture4  ,leslie %rugg$4    
,h[ ab\t ! food8 inquir$ ,craig4 ,h y   
made any attempt to exam9e x8  ,i h1    
repli$ ! commission]4 ,:5 ,i came up "h 
fir/ ,i ?\ght ( t4 ,i took samples ( all
 ! food t ,i c\ld f9d 9 ! ice-box1 !    

kit*51 & ! butl]'s pantry4 ,i h ! :ole  
?+1 label$1 & ,i h already />t$ to te/  
!m out4 ,i'll %[ y :at ,i h done :5 we g
 d[n to ! dep>tm5t laboratory4  ,k5n$y  
_h be5 exam9+ ! books 9 ! bookcase & n[ 
pull$ out a m$ical diction>y4 ,x op5$   
readily to ! head+1                     
,polyneuritis--multiple neuritis4  ,i   
b5t ov] & read ) him4 ,9 ! disease1 x   
seem$1 ! n]ve fib]s !mselves 9 ! small  
n]ves broke d[n & ! affection 0 motor1  
s5sory1 vasomotor1 or endemic4 ,all !   
symptoms describ$ seem$ to fit :at ,i _h
 obs]v$ 9 ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw4  ,inv>iably1 ! 
article w5t on1 x is ! result ( "s toxic
 sub/ance circulat+ 9 ! blood4 ,!re is a
 polyneuritis psy*osis1 kn[n z          
,korsak(f's syndrome1 *>act]iz$ by      
di/urbances ( ! memory ( rec5t ev5ts &  
false rem9isc5ces1 ! pati5t be+ re/less 
& disori5tat$4  ,i ran my f+] d[n ! page
 until ,i came to ! causes4 ,!re 7      
alcohol1 lead1 ars5ic1 bisulphide (     
c>bon1 diseases su* z diabetes1         
diph!ria1 typhoid1 & f9ally1 mu* to my  

excitem5t1 0 enum]at$ b]ib]i1 ) ! add$  
in=mation1 or1 z ! ,japanese call x1    
kakke4  ,i plac$ my f+] on ! passage & 0
 ab\t to say some?+ ab\t my suspicions (
 ,kato :5 we he>d ! s\nd ( foot/eps 9 ! 
hall1 & ,craig snapp$ ! book %ut1       
return+ x ha/ily to ! bookcase4 ,x 0    
,miss ,langdale :o _h made h] pati5t    
com=table 9 b$ & n[ return$ to u4  ,:o  
is ?is ,kato8 inquir$ ,craig1 voic+ :at 
0 9 my own m9d4 ,:at d y "k ab\t him8   
,j a "y ,japanese f ! ,mission d[nt[n1  
repli$ ! nurse1 directly4 ,i don't      
suppose y "k1 b ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw us$ to be 
greatly int]e/$ 9 religi\s & social "w  
among ! ,japanese & ,*9ese2 w\ld be yet1
 b1 %e add$1 significantly1 %e is n     
/rong en\gh4 ,!y employ$ him be=e ,i    
came "h1 ab\t a ye> ago1 ,i ?9k4  ,k5n$y
 nodd$1 & 0 ab\t to ask ano!r "q1 :5 !re
 0 a slight noise out 9 ! hall4 ,?9k+ x 
might be ,kato himself1 ,i sprang to !  
door4  ,in/ead1 ,i enc\nt]$ a middle-ag$
 man1 :o drew back 9 surprise at see+   
me1 a /rang]4  ,oh1 good morn+1 ,doctor 

,aitk56 greet$ ,miss ,langdale1 9 q !   
casual mann] ( a nurse accu/om$ to !    
daily visit at ab\t ?is h\r4  ,z =      
,doctor ,aitk51 he glanc$ f ,leslie1 :om
 he knew1 to ,k5n$y1 :om he did n "k1 ) 
a v surpris$ look on 8 face4 ,9 fact1 ,i
 got ! impression t aft] he _h be5      
admitt$ he _h paus$ a mom5t 9 ! hall to 
li/5 to ! /range voices 9 ! ,w>dlaw     
/udy4  ,leslie nodd$ to him & introduc$ 
u1 )\t q kn[+ :at to say or d1 any m ?an
 ,doctor ,aitk54  ,a mo/ incompreh5sible
 case1 v5tur$ ,aitk5 to u4 ,i c't1 = !  
life ( me1 make x out4 ,! doctor %[$ 8  
p]plexity pla9ly1 :e!r x 0 feign$ or n4 
,i'm afraid %e's n q s well z usual1 put
 9 ,miss ,langdale1 speak+ to him1 b 9 a
 mann] t indicat$ t fir/ ( all %e wi%$  
any blame = h] pati5t's condition to    
atta* to u & n to h]self4  ,doctor      
,aitk5 purs$ up 8 lips1 b[$ excus+ly to 
u1 & turn$ d[n ! hall1 foll[$ by !      
nurse4 ,z !y pass$ on to ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw's
 room1 ,i am sure !y :isp]$ ab\t u4 ,i 0
 puzzl$ by ,doctor ,aitk54 ,he seem$ to 

be s9c]e1 yet1 "u ! circum/ances1 ,i    
felt t ,i mu/ be suspici\s ( ev]ybody & 
ev]y?+4  ,alone aga9 = a mom5t1 ,k5n$y  
turn$ 8 att5tion to ! furniture ( !     
room1 & f9ally paus$ be=e a writ+-desk 9
 ! corn]4 ,he tri$ x4 ,x 0 n lock$ & he 
op5$ x4 ,quickly he ran ?r\gh a pile (  
pap]s c>efully laid "u a pap]-weight at 
! back4  ,a suppress$ exclamation f him 
call$ my att5tion to some?+ t he _h     
discov]$4 ,!re lay two docum5ts1        
evid5tly rec5tly drawn up4 ,z we look$  
ov] ! fir/1 we saw t x 0 ,doctor        
,w>dlaw's w1 9 :i* he _h left ev]y?+ to 
8 wife1 al?\gh he 0 n an especially     
weal?y man4 ,! o!r 0 ! w ( ,mrs4        
,w>dlaw4  ,we dev\r$ x ha/ily4 ,9       
sub/ance x 0 id5tical ) ! fir/1 except t
 at ! end %e _h add$ two clauses4 ,9 !  
fir/ %e _h done j z h] "m _h direct$4   
,tw5ty-five ?\s& doll>s _h be5 left to  
,doctor ,aitk54 ,i glanc$ at ,k5n$y1 b  
he 0 read+ on1 tak+ ! second clause4 ,i 
read also4 ,fifty ?\s& doll>s 0 giv5 to 
end[ ! ,new ,york ,japanese ,mission4   

,imm$iately ! ?\ght ( ,kato & :at ,miss 
,langdale _h j told u fla%$ ?r\gh my    
m9d4  ,a second "t we he>d ! nurse's    
foot/eps on ! h>dwood floor ( ! hall4   
,craig clos$ ! desk s(tly4  ,doctor     
,aitk5 is ready to g1 %e ann\nc$4 ,is   
!re any?+ m y wi% to ask8  ,k5n$y spoke 
a mom5t ) ! doctor z he pass$ out1 b1   
aside f ! in=mation t ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw 01 9
 8 op9ion1 gr[+ worse1 ! conv]sation    
add$ no?+ to our meag] /ore ( in=mation4
  ,i suppose y att5d$ ,mrs4 ,m>bury8    
v5tur$ ,k5n$y ( ,miss ,langdale1 aft] ! 
doctor _h gone4  ,n all ! "t1 %e        
admitt$4 ,be=e ,i came !re 0 ano!r      
nurse1 a ,miss ,hack/aff4  ,:at 0 !     
matt]8 ,wasn't %e compet5t8  ,miss      
,langdale avoid$ ! "q1 z ?\gh x 7 a     
brea* ( pr(essional etiquette to ca/    
reflections on ano!r nurse1 al?\gh :e!r 
t 0 ! real reason = h] retic5ce did n   
appe>4 ,craig seem$ to make a m5tal note
 ( ! fact4  ,h y se5                    
any?+--er--suspici\s ab\t ?is ,kato8 put
 9 ,leslie1 :ile ,k5n$y fr[n$ at !      

int]ruption4  ,miss ,langdale answ]$    
quickly1 ,no?+4  ,doctor ,aitk5 has nev]
 express$ any suspicion8 pursu$ ,leslie4
  ,oh no1 %e return$4 ,i ?9k ,i w\ld h  
kn[n x if he _h any4 ,no1 ,i've nev]    
he>d him ev5 h9t at any?+4 ,x 0 evid5t t
 %e wi%$ u to "k t %e 0 9 ! confid5ce ( 
! doctor4  ,i ?9k we'd bett] be go+1    
int]rupt$ ,k5n$y1 ha/ily1 n app>5tly    
pleas$ to h ,leslie break 9 9 !         
inve/igation j at pres5t4  ,miss        
,langdale accompani$ u to ! door1 b be=e
 we rea*$ x x 0 op5$ f ! outside by a   
man :o _h once be5 & yet 0 h&some1      
al?\gh "o c\ld see t he _h a c]ta9      
appe>ance ( hav+ neglect$ himself4      
,leslie nodd$ & introduc$ u4 ,x 0       
,doctor ,w>dlaw4  ,z ,i /udi$ 8 face ,i 
c\ld see t1 z ,leslie _h already told u1
 x pla9ly bore ! /igma ( n]v\sness4     
,has ,doctor ,aitk5 be5 "h8 he inquir$1 
quickly1 ( ! nurse4 ,!n1 sc>cely wait+ =
 h] ev5 to nod1 he add$3 ,:at did he    
say8 ,is ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw any bett]8  ,miss
 ,langdale seem$ to be endeavor+ to make

 z optimi/ic a report z ! tru? p]mitt$1 
b ,i fanci$ ,w>dlaw read betwe5 ! l9es4 
,z !y talk$ x 0 evid5t t !re 0 a sort ( 
re/ra9t betwe5 !m4 ,i wond]$ :e!r       
,w>dlaw might n h "s lurk+ suspicion    
aga9/ ,aitk51 or "s "o else4 ,if he _h1 
ev5 9 8 n]v\sness he did n betray x4  ,i
 c't tell y h[ worri$ ,i am1 he murmur$1
 almo/ to himself4 ,:at c ?is ?+ be8    
,he turn$ to u1 &1 al?\gh he _h j be5   
introduc$1 ,i am sure t our pres5ce     
seem$ to surprise him1 = he w5t on talk+
 to himself1 ,oh yes--let me see--oh    
yes1 fri5ds ( ,doctor--er--,leslie4  ,i 
_h be5 /udy+ him & try+ to recall :at ,i
 _h j read ( b]ib]i & polyneuritis4 ,!re
 fla%$ ov] my m9d ! recollection ( :at  
_h be5 call$ ,korsak(f's syndrome1 9 :i*
 "o ( ! m5tal di/urbances 0 ! memory (  
rec5t ev5ts4 ,did n ?is1 ,i ask$ myself1
 indicate pla9ly en\gh t ,leslie might  
be "r 9 8 suspicions ( b]ib]i8 ,x 0 all 
! m app>5t a mom5t lat] :51 turn+ to    
,miss ,langdale1 ,w>dlaw seem$ almo/    
in/antly to =get our pres5ce aga94 ,at  

any rate1 8 anxiety 0 easy to see4      
,aft] a few m9utes' *at dur+ :i* ,craig 
obs]v$ ,w>dlaw's symptoms1 too1 we      
excus$ ourselves1 & ! ,heal?            
,commission] und]took to conduct u to 8 
(fice to %[ u :at he _h done s f>4 ,z = 
me1 ,i c\ld n get ,miss ,langdale out ( 
my m9d1 & especially ! my/]i\s lett] to 
,k5n$y4 ,:at ( x & :at ( its secret     
s5d]8  ,none ( u said mu* until1 half an
 h\r lat]1 9 ! dep>tm5t laboratory1     
,leslie began to recapitulate :at he _h 
already done 9 ! case4  ,y ask$ :e!r ,i 
_h exam9$ ! food1 he rem>k$1 paus+ 9 a  
corn] be=e sev]al cages 9 :i* 7 a numb] 
( pigeons1 sep>at$ & c>efully tagg$4 ,) 
a wave ( 8 h& at "o gr\p ( cages he     
cont9u$3 ,^! fell[s ,i h be5 fe$+       
exclusively on samples ( ! v>i\s foods  
:i* ,i took f ! ,w>dlaw family :5 ,i    
fir/ w5t up !re4 ,"h1 too1 are *>ts %[+ 
:at ,i h obs]v$ up to date4 ,ov] !re are
 ! 'controls'--pigeons f ! same gr\p :i*
 h be5 f$ regul>ly on ! usual diet s t  
,i c *eck my te/s4  ,k5n$y fell to      

exam9+ ! pigeons c>efully z well z !    
*>ts & records ( fe$+ & results4 ,none (
 ! birds f$ on :at _h be5 tak5 f !      
ap>tm5t look$ well1 ?\gh "s 7 worse ?an 
o!rs4  ,i want y to obs]ve ?is fell[1   
po9t$ out ,leslie at la/1 s+l+ out "o   
cage4 ,! pigeon 9 x 0 a pa!tic figure4  
,8 eyes seem$ dull & glaz$4 ,he paid    
little or no att5tion to u2 ev5 8 food &
 wat] did n seem to int]e/ him4 ,in/ead 
( /rutt+ ab\t1 he seem$ to be positively
 wabbly on 8 feet4 ,k5n$y exam9$ ?is "o 
long] & m c>efully ?an any ( ! re/4     
,!re are c]ta9ly all ! symptoms (       
b]ib]i1 or r1 polyneuritis1 9 pigeons1 )
 t bird1 admitt$ ,craig1 f9ally1 look+  
up at ,leslie4  ,! commission] seem$ to 
be gratifi$4 ,y "k1 he rem>k$1 b]ib]i   
itself is a common disease 9 ! ,ori5t4  
,!re has be5 a good deal ( /udy ( x & ! 
cause is n[ kn[n to be ! lack ( some?+ 9
 ! food1 :i* 9 ! ,ori5t is mo/ly rice4  
,poli%+ ! rice1 :i* removes "p ( ! out] 
coat1 also takes away some?+ t is       
necess>y = life1 :i* sci5ti/s n[ call   

'vitam9es4'  ,i may take "s ( ^! samples
 to /udy myself8 int]rupt$ ,k5n$y1 z    
?\gh ! /ory ( vitam9es 0 an old "o to   
him4  ,by all means1 agre$ ,leslie4     
,craig select$ :at he want$1 keep+ ea*  
sep>ate & m>k$1 & excus$ himself1 say+ t
 he _h "s inve/igations ( 8 own t he    
wi%$ to make & w\ld let ,leslie "k !    
result z soon z he discov]$ any?+4      
,k5n$y did n g back directly to !       
laboratory1 h[ev]4 ,in/ead1 he w5t      
up-t[n &1 to my surprise1 /opp$ at "o ( 
! l>ge brew]ies4 ,:at x 0 t he 0 aft] ,i
 c\ld n imag9e1 b1 aft] a conf]5ce ) !  
manag]1 he obta9$ sev]al qu>ts ( brew]'s
 yea/1 :i* he _h s5t directly d[n to !  
laboratory4  ,impati5t ?\gh ,i 0 at ?is 
seem+ neglect ( ! pr9cipal figures 9 !  
case1 ,i knew1 nev]!less1 t ,k5n$y _h   
already s*em$ out 8 campaign & t :atev] 
x 0 he _h 9 m9d 0 ( fir/ importance4    
,back at la/ 9 8 own laboratory1 ,craig 
set to "w on ! brew]'s yea/1 d]iv+      
some?+ f x by ! pl5tiful use ( a liquid 
label$ ,lloyd's reag5t1 a solution (    

hydr\s alum9um silicate4  ,aft] work+ = 
"s "t1 ,i saw t he _h obta9$ a solid :i*
 he press$ into ! =m ( little :iti%     
tablets4 ,he _h by no means f9i%$1 b1   
notic+ my impati5ce1 he plac$ ! ?ree or 
f\r tablets 9 a little box & h&$ !m to  
me4  ,y might take ^! ov] to ,leslie 9 !
 dep>tm5t laboratory1 ,walt]1 he        
direct$4 ,tell him to fe$ !m to t       
wabbly-look+ pigeon ov] !re--& let me "k
 ! mom5t he obs]ves any effect4  ,glad (
 ! *ance to occupy myself1 ,i ha/5$ on !
 err&1 & ev5 presid$ ov] ! fir/ fe$+ ( !
 bird4  ,:5 ,i return$ ,i f\nd t ,k5n$y 
_h f9i%$ 8 "w ) ! brew]'s yea/ & 0 n[   
devot+ himself to ! /udy ( ! v>i\s      
samples ( food :i* he _h obta9$ f       
,leslie4  ,he 0 j f9i%+ a te/ ( !       
bak+-p[d] :5 ,i ent]$1 & 8 face %[$     
pla9ly t he 0 puzzl$ by some?+ t he _h  
discov]$4  ,:at is x8 ,i ask$4 ,h y f\nd
 out any?+8  ,?is seems to be almo/ pla9
 sodium c>bonate1 he repli$1            
me*anically4  ,& t indicates8 ,i        
prompt$4  ,p]haps no?+1 9 itself1 he w5t

 on1 less ab/ract$ly4 ,b ! use ( sodium 
c>bonate & o!r ?+s :i* ,i h discov]$ 9  
o!r samples dis5gages c>bon dioxide at !
 temp]ature ( bak+ & cook+4 ,if y'll    
look 9 t public-heal? report on my desk 
y'll see h[ ! late/ inve/igations h %[n 
t bic>bonate ( soda & a :ole li/ ( o!r  
?+s :i* lib]ate c>bon dioxide de/roy !  
vitam9es ,leslie 0 talk+ ab\t4 ,9 o!r   
words1 tak5 altoge!r ,i %\ld almo/ say  
!re 0 evid5ce t a conc]t$ ef=t 0 be+    
made to affect ! food--a result analog\s
 to t ( us+ poli%$ rice z a /aple       
diet--& produc+ b]ib]i1 or1 p]haps m    
accurately1 polyneuritis4 ,i c be sure (
 no?+ yet1 b--x's wor? foll[+ up4  ,!n y
 ?9k ,kato--  ,n too fa/1 caution$      
,craig4 ,rememb]1 o!rs _h access to !   
kit*51 too4  ,9 spite ( 8 hesitancy1 ,i 
c\ld ?9k only ( ! two p>agraphs we _h   
read 9 ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw's w1 & especially (
 ! la/4 ,might n ,kato h be5 =c$ or     
entic$ into a s*eme t promis$ a safe    
return & practically no *ance (         
discov]y8 ,:at gruesome my/]y _h be5    

unveil$ by ! anonym\s lett] :i* _h fir/ 
excit$ our curiosity8  ,x 0 late 9 !    
aft]noon t ,commission] ,leslie call$ u 
up1 mu* excit$1 to in=m u t ! droop+    
pigeon 0 already peck+ at food & beg9n+ 
to %[ "s int]e/ 9 life4 ,k5n$y seem$    
greatly gratifi$ z he hung up ! receiv]4
  ,almo/ d9n]-"t1 he comm5t$1 ) a glance
 at 8 wat*4 ,i ?9k we'll make ano!r     
hurri$ visit to ! ,w>dlaw ap>tm5t4  ,we 
_h no tr\ble gett+ 91 al?\gh z outsid]s 
we 7 m tol]at$ ?an welcome4 ,our excuse 
0 t ,k5n$y _h "s m que/ions :i* we wi%$ 
to ask ,miss ,langdale4  ,:ile we wait$ 
= h] we sat1 n 9 ! /udy1 b 9 ! p>lor4 ,!
 fold+-doors into ! d9+-room 7 clos$1 b 
across ! hall we c\ld tell by ! s\nd :5 
,kato 0 9 ! kit*5 & :5 he cross$ ! hall4
  ,once ,i he>d him 9 ! d9+-room4 ,be=e 
,i knew x ,k5n$y _h ha/ily tipto$ across
 ! hall & into ! kit*54 ,he 0 gone only 
a c\ple ( m9utes1 b x 0 long en\gh to   
place 9 ! food t 0 be+ prep>$1 & 9 "s   
unprep>$1 ei!r ! tablets he _h made or a
 p[d] he _h d]iv$ f !m cru%$ up4 ,:5 he 

return$ ,i saw f 8 mann] t ! real       
purpose ( ! visit _h be5 accompli%$1    
al?\gh :5 ,miss ,langdale appe>$ he w5t 
?r\gh ! =m ( que/ion+ h]1 mo/ly on ,mrs4
 ,m>bury's sickness & dea?4 ,he did n   
le>n any?+ t appe>$ to be important1 b  
at lea/ he cov]$ up ! reason = 8 visit4 
,outside ! ap>tm5t1 ,k5n$y paus$ a      
mom5t4 ,!re's no?+ to d n[ b await      
developm5ts1 he m$itat$4 ,mean:ile1 !re 
is no use = u to d\ble up our "t toge!r4
 ,i h decid$ to wat* ,kato to-night4    
,suppose y %ad[ ,doctor ,aitk54 ,p]haps 
we may get a l9e on some?+ t way4  ,!   
plan seem$ admirable to me4 ,9 fact1 ,i 
_h be5 long+ = "s action ( ! sort all ! 
aft]noon1 :ile ,k5n$y _h be5 engag$ 9 ! 
/udies :i* he evid5tly deem$ m          
important4  ,accord+ly1 aft] d9n]1 we   
sep>at$1 ,k5n$y go+ back to ! ,=um      
,ap>tm5ts to wait until ,kato left = !  
night1 :ile ,i walk$ f>!r up ! ,drive to
 ! address giv5 9 ! directory z t (     
,doctor ,aitk54  ,x happ5$ to be ! "t :5
 ! doctor _h 8 (fice h\rs = pati5ts1 s t

 ,i 0 sure at lea/ t he 0 at home :5 ,i 
took my /ation j d[n ! /reet1 c>efully  
scrut9iz+ e "o :o ent]$ & left 8 h\se4  
,no?+ happ5$1 h[ev]1 until ! end ( ! h\r
 dur+ :i* he receiv$ (fice calls4 ,z ,i 
glanc$ d[n ! /reet ,i 0 glad t ,i _h    
tak5 an inconspicu\s po/1 = ,i c\ld see 
,miss ,langdale approa*+4 ,%e 0 n 9 h]  
nurse's uni=m1 b seem$ to be (f duty =  
an h\r or two1 & ,i mu/ confess %e 0 a  
/rik+ figure1 ev5 9 t neighborhood :i* 0
 not$ = its pretty & da9tily g[n$ girls4
 ,almo/ be=e ,i knew x %e _h ent]$ !    
,engli%-basem5t entrance ( ,doctor      
,aitk5's4  ,i ?\ght rapidly4 ,:at c\ld  
be ! purpose ( h] visit8 ,above all1 h[ 
0 ,i1 on ! outside1 to f9d out8 ,i walk$
 d[n pa/ ! h\se4 ,b t did no good4 ,9 a 
qu&>y1 ,i /opp$4 ,hesitation w\ld get me
 no?+4 ,sudd5ly an idea fla%$ ?r\gh my  
m9d4 ,i turn$ 9 & rang ! bell4  ,x's pa/
 ! doctor's (fice h\rs1 in=m$ a s]vant  
:o op5$ ! door4 ,he sees no "o aft]     
h\rs4  ,b1 ,i li$1 ,i h an appo9tm5t4   
,don't di/urb him4 ,i c wait4  ,!       

wait+-room 0 empty1 ,i _h se51 & ,i 0   
det]m9$ to get 9 at any co/4            
,reluctantly ! s]vant admitt$ me4  ,=   
sev]al mom5ts ,i sat quietly alone1     
fe>ful t ! doctor might op5 ! d\ble     
doors ( 8 (fice & discov] me4 ,b no?+   
happ5$ & ,i grew bold]4 ,c>efully ,i    
tipto$ to ! door4 ,x 0 ( solid oak &    
practically imp]vi\s to s\nd4 ,! doors  
fitt$ closely1 too4 ,/ill1 by apply+ my 
e>1 ,i c\ld make out ! s\nd ( voices on 
! o!r side4 ,i /ra9$ my e>s bo? to cat* 
a ^w n[ & !n & to be sure t ,i might he>
 ! approa* ( anybody outside4  ,0 ,aitk5
 suspici\sly int]e/$ 9 ! pretty         
nurse--or 0 %e suspici\sly int]e/$ 9    
him8  ,sudd5ly _! voices became a trifle
 m di/9ct4 ,!n y ?9k ,doctor ,w>dlaw has
 x1 too8 ,i he>d h] ask4 ,i did n cat* !
 exact reply1 b x 0 9 ! affirmative4    
,!y 7 approa*+ ! door4 ,9 a mom5t x w\ld
 be op5$4 ,i wait$ to he> no m1 b seiz$ 
my hat & da%$ = ! entrance f ! /reet j 9
 "t to escape obs]vation4 ,miss         
,langdale came out %ortly1 ! doctor     

accompany+ h] to ! door1 & ,i foll[$ h] 
back to ! ,=um4  ,:at ,i _h he>d only   
add$ to ! puzzle4 ,:y h] anxiety to "k  
:e!r ,w>dlaw himself 0 affect$8 ,:y     
,aitk5's solicitude 9 ass]t+ t he 08 ,7 
!y work+ toge!r1 or 7 !y really oppos$8 
,:i* might be us+ ! o!r8  ,my qu]ies    
/ill unansw]$1 ,i return$ to ,aitk5's & 
wait$ ab\t "s "t1 b no?+ happ5$1 &      
f9ally ,i w5t on to our own ap>tm5t4  ,x
 0 v late :5 ,craig came 91 b ,i 0 /ill 
awake & wait+ = him4 ,be=e ,i c\ld ask  
him a "q he 0 draw+ f me :at ,i _h      
obs]v$1 li/5+ att5tively4 ,evid5tly he  
consid]$ x ( great importance1 ?\gh no  
rem>k ( 8 betray$ :at int]pretation he  
put on ! episode4  ,h y f\nd any?+8 ,i  
manag$ to ask1 f9ally4  ,yes1 inde$1 he 
nodd$1 ?\ghtfully4 ,i %ad[$ ,kato f !   
,=um4 ,x mu/ h be5 be=e ,miss ,langdale 
came out t he left4 ,he lives d[n-t[n 9 
a t5em5t-h\se4 ,!re's some?+ que] ab\t t
 ,jap4  ,i ?9k !re is1 ,i agre$4 ,i     
don't l 8 looks4  ,b x wasn't he :o     
int]e/$ me s mu* to-night1 ,craig w5t   

on1 ignor+ my rem>k1 z a woman4  ,a     
woman8 ,i qu]i$1 9 surprise4 ,a ,jap1   
too8  ,no1 a :ite woman1 r good-look+1  
too1 ) d>k hair & eyes4 ,%e seem$ to be 
wait+ = him4 ,aft]w>d ,i made inquiries4
 ,%e has be5 se5 ab\t !re be=e4  ,:o 0  
%e8 ,i ask$1 fancy+ p]haps ,miss        
,langdale _h made ano!r visit :ile %e 0 
out1 al?\gh f ! "t x did n seem         
possible4  ,i foll[$ h] to h] h\se4 ,h] 
"n is ,hack/aff--  ,! fir/ tra9$ nurse6 
,i exclaim$4  ,miss ,hack/aff is an     
enigma1 confess$ ,k5n$y4 ,at fir/ ,i    
?\ght t p]haps %e might be "o ( ^? wom5 
:om ! ,ori5tal type fasc9at$1 t %e &    
,kato might be plott+4 ,!n ,i h consid]$
 t p]haps h] visits to ,kato may be     
m]ely to get in=mation--t %e may h an ax
 to gr9d4 ,bo? ,kato & %e w be> wat*+1 &
 ,i h made arrangem5ts to h x done4     
,i've call$ on t "y detective1 ,*ase1   
:om ,i've (t5 us$ = ! r\t9e "w ( %ad[+4 
,!re's no?+ m t we c d n[ until         
to-morr[1 s we might z well turn 94     
,e>ly ! next day ,k5n$y 0 aga9 at "w1   

bo? 9 8 own laboratory & 9 t ( ! ,heal? 
,dep>tm5t1 mak+ fur!r /udies ( ! food & 
! effect x _h on ! pigeons1 z well z    
obs]v+ :at *anges 7 produc$ by ! :ite   
tablets he _h extract$ f ! yea/4  ,x 0  
e>ly 9 ! =5oon :5 ! buzz] on !          
laboratory door s\nd$ & ,i op5$ ! door  
to admit ,*ase 9 a high /ate (          
excitem5t4  ,:at has happ5$8 ask$       
,craig1 eag]ly4  ,_m ?+s1 report$ ! "y  
detective1 brea?lessly4 ,to beg9 )1 ,i  
foll[$ ,miss ,hack/aff f h] ap>tm5t ?is 
morn+4 ,%e seem$ to be work$ up ov]     
some?+--p]haps _h _h a sleepless night4 
,z ne>ly z ,i c\ld make out %e 0 go+    
ab\t aimlessly4 ,f9ally1 h[ev]1 ,i f\nd 
t %e 0 gett+ into ! neighborhood (      
,doctor ,aitk5 & ( ! ,=um4 ,well1 :5 we 
got to ! ,=um %e /opp$ & wait$ 9 front (
 x--oh1 ,i %\ld say almo/ half an h\r4  
,i c\ldn't make out :at x 0 %e want$1 b 
at la/ ,i f\nd out4  ,he paus$ a mom5t1 
!n rac$ on1 )\t urg+4 ,miss ,langdale   
came out--& y %\ld h se5 ! ,hack/aff    
woman g = h]4 ,he drew 9 8 brea? %>ply  

at ! rem9isc5ce4 ,i ?\ght !re 0 go+ to  
be a murd] done--on ,riv]side ,drive4   
,miss ,langdale scream$ & ran back into 
! ap>tm5t4 ,!re 0 a good deal (         
confusion4 ,! hall-boys came to !       
rescue4 ,9 ! excitem5t1 ,i manag$ to    
slip into ! elevator ) h]4 ,no "o seem$ 
to ?9k x /range !n t an outsid] %\ld be 
int]e/$4 ,i w5t up ) h]--saw ,w>dlaw1 z 
%e p\r$ out ! /ory4 ,he's a que] "o4 ,is
 he ,,"r8  ,:y8 ask$ ,craig1 indulg5tly4
  ,he seems s n]v\s2 ?+s upset him s    
easily4 ,yet1 aft] we _h tak5 c>e (     
,miss ,langdale & matt]s _h quiet$ d[n1 
,i ?\ght ,i might get "s idea ( ! cause 
( ! fracas & ask$ him if he knew ( any  
reason4 ,:y1 he look$ at me k9d (       
blankly1 & ,i swe> he act$ z ?\gh he _h 
almo/ =gott5 x already4 ,i tell y1 he's 
n ,,"r4  ,rememb]+ our own exp]i5ce1 ,i 
glanc$ significantly at ,craig4         
,korsak(f's syndrome8 ,i qu]i$1         
laconically4 ,ano!r example ( a m9d     
confus$ ev5 on rec5t ev5ts8  ,k5n$y1    
h[ev]1 0 m int]e/$ 9 ,*ase4 ,:at did    

,miss ,hack/aff d8 he ask$4  ,i don't   
"k4 ,i miss$ h]4 ,:5 ,i got out aga9 %e 
0 gone4  ,pick h] up aga91 direct$      
,craig4 ,p]haps y'll get h] at h] place4
 ,& see1 ?is "t1 if y c get :at ,i ask$ 
y4  ,i'll try1 return$ ,*ase1 mu* pleas$
 at ! words ( comm5dation :i* ,craig    
add$ z he left u aga94  ,on :at err&    
,*ase _h gone ,i c\ld n guess1 except t 
x _h some?+ to d ) ?is /range woman :o  
_h s unexpect$ly ent]$ ! case4 ,nor 0   
,craig any m communicative4 ,!re 7      
evid5tly _m problems :i* only ev5ts c\ld
 cle> up ev5 9 8 m9d4 ,?\gh he did n say
 any?+1 ,i knew t he 0 z impati5t z ,i  
01 & z ,leslie1 too1 :o call$ up once or
 twice to le>n :e!r he _h discov]$      
any?+4 ,!re 0 no?+ to d b wait4  ,x 0   
e>ly 9 ! aft]noon t ! telephone rang &  
,i answ]$ x4 ,x 0 ,*ase call+ ,k5n$y4 ,i
 he>d only half ! conv]sation & !re 0 n 
mu* ( t1 b ,i knew t some?+ 0 ab\t to   
happ54 ,craig ha/ily summon$ a cab1 !n 9
 rapid succession call$ up ,doctor      
,aitk5 & ,leslie1 = :om we /opp$ z our  

driv] %ot u ov] to ! ,=um ,ap>tm5ts4    
,!re 0 no c]emony or unnecess>y         
explanation ab\t our pres5ce1 z ,k5n$y  
ent]$ & direct$ ,miss ,langdale to br+  
h] pati5ts into ! little (fice-/udy (   
,doctor ,w>dlaw4  ,miss ,langdale obey$ 
reluctantly4 ,:5 %e return$ ,i felt t x 
0 appreciable t a *ange _h tak5 place4  
,mrs4 ,w>dlaw1 at lea/1 0 improv$4 ,%e 0
 /ill ill1 b %e seem$ to take a m lively
 int]e/ 9 :at 0 go+ on ab\t h]4 ,z =    
,doctor ,w>dlaw1 h[ev]1 ,i c\ld n see t 
!re _h be5 any improvem5t 9 him4 ,8     
n]v\sness _h n abat$4 ,kato1 :om ,k5n$y 
summon$ at ! same "t1 pres]v$ 8 usual   
imp]turbable ext]ior4 ,miss ,langdale1 9
 spite ( ! incid5t ( ! morn+1 0 q z     
solicit\s z ev] ( h] *>ges4  ,we _h n   
long to wait = ,doctor ,aitk54 ,he      
arriv$1 inquir+ anxi\sly :at _h happ5$1 
al?\gh ,k5n$y gave none ( u any         
satisfaction imm$iately z to ! cause ( 8
 quick action4 ,aitk5 fidget$ uneasily1 
glanc+ f ,k5n$y to ,leslie1 !n to ,miss 
,langdale1 & back to ,k5n$y1 )\t read+  

any explanation 9 ! faces4 ,i knew t    
,craig 0 secretly tak+ 8 "t bo? = its   
effect on ^? pres5t & to give ,*ase a   
*ance4  ,our poisons & our drugs1 he    
began1 leisurely1 at l5g?1 are 9 _m     
in/ances ! close relatives ( h>mless    
comp\nds t repres5t ! int]m$iate /eps 9 
! daily process ( metabolism4 ,!re is   
mu* t ,i might say ab\t prote9 poisons4 
,h[ev]1 t is n exactly :at ,i want to   
talk ab\t--at lea/ fir/4  ,he /opp$ to  
make sure t he _h ! att5tion ( u all4 ,z
 a matt] ( fact1 8 mann] 0 su* t he     
attract$ ev5 ! vagrant int]e/ ( !       
,w>dlaws4  ,i d n "k h[ mu* ( 8         
suspicions ,commission] ,leslie has     
communicat$ to y1 he resum$1 b ,i       
believe t y h all he>d ( ! disease      
b]ib]i s common 9 ! ,f> ,ea/ & kn[n to !
 ,japanese z kakke4 ,x is a =m (        
polyneuritis &1 z y d\btless "k1 is n[  
kn[n to be caus$1 at lea/ 9 ! ,ori5t1 by
 ! removal ( ! p]ic>p 9 ! poli%+ ( rice4
 ,our mill+ ( fl\r is1 9 a m9or degree1 
analog\s4 ,to be brief1 ! disease arises

 f ! lack 9 diet ( c]ta9 sub/ances or   
bodies :i* mod]n sci5ti/s call vitam9es4
 ,small quantities ( ^! vital pr9ciples 
are absolutely ess5tial to normal gr[? &
 heal? & ev5 to life itself4 ,!y are    
nitrog5\s comp\nds & _! abs5ce gives    
rise to a class ( s]i\s disord]s 9 :i* !
 muscles surr5d] _! /ore ( nitrog5 fir/4
 ,! n]ves seems to be ! pref]r$         
cr$itors1 s to speak4 ,!y are affect$   
only aft] ! muscles beg9 to wa/e4 ,x is 
an ab/ruse subject & x is n necess>y =  
me to g deep] into x n[4  ,i controll$  
my own int]e/ 9 ord] to wat* ^? ab\t me4
 ,kato1 = "o1 0 li/5+ att5tively1 ,i    
saw4  ,9 my /udies ( ! diet ( ?is       
h\sehold1 cont9u$ ,k5n$y1 ,i h f\nd t   
sub/ances h be5 us$ 9 prep>+ food :i*   
kill vitam9es4 ,9 %ort1 ! food has be5  
d5atur$4 ,valuable elem5ts1 necess>y    
elem5ts1 h be5 tak5 away4  ,i1 sir1 n   
always 9 kit*51 sir1 int]rupt$ ,kato1   
/ill def]5tial4 ,i n always "k--  ,) a  
p]emptory wave ( 8 h& ,k5n$y sil5c$ !   
,jap4  ,x has long be5 a "q1 he hurri$  

on1 :e!r ^! vitam9es are tangible bodies
 or j special arrangem5ts ( molecules4  
,rec5tly gov]nm5t inve/igators h        
discov]$ t !y are bodies t c be isolat$ 
by a special process f ! filtrate (     
brew]'s yea/ by ,lloyd's reag5t4 ,five  
grams ( ?is--he held up "s ( ! tablets  
he _h made--= a sixty-kilogram p]son ea*
 day are suffici5t4 ,unkn[n to y1 ,i h  
introduc$ "s ( ?is sub/ance into ! food 
already defici5t 9 vitam9es4 ,i fancy t 
ev5 n[ ,i c detect a *ange1 he nodd$    
t[>d ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw4  ,!re 0 a murmur (  
surprise 9 ! room1 b be=e ,craig c\ld   
cont9ue fur!r ! door op5$ & ,mrs4       
,w>dlaw utt]$ a n]v\s exclamation4 ,!re 
/ood ,*ase ) a woman4 ,i recogniz$ h]   
imm$iately f ,k5n$y's description z     
,miss ,hack/aff4  ,*ase walk$           
delib]ately ov] to ,k5n$y & h&$ him     
some?+1 :ile ! nurse glanc$ calmly1     
almo/ ) pity1 at ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw1 ignor+  
,w>dlaw1 !n fix+ h] gaze v5om\sly on    
,miss ,langdale4 ,recall+ ! incid5t ( ! 
morn+1 ,i 0 ready to prev5t1 if         

necess>y1 a repetition n[4 ,nei!r mov$4 
,b x 0 a ?rill+1 if sil5t1 drama z ! two
 wom5 gl>$ at ea* o!r4  ,k5n$y 0 ha/ily 
comp>+ ! anonym\s note he _h receiv$ )  
some?+ ,*ase _h br\ght4  ,"s "o1 he %ot 
out1 sudd5ly1 look+ up & fac+ u1 has1 z 
,i h intimat$1 be5 remov+ or de/roy+ !  
vital pr9ciple 9 ! food--^! vitam9es4   
,cle>ly ! purpose 0 to make ?is case    
look l an epidemic ( b]ib]i1            
polyneuritis4 ,t "p has be5 cle> to me =
 "s "t4 ,x has be5 ! s\rce ( ?is devili%
 plot :i* has be5 obscure4 ,j a mom5t1  
,kato1 ,i w d ! talk+4 ,my detective1   
,*ase1 has be5 do+ "s %ad[+ = me1 z well
 z "s turn+ ov] ( pa/ hi/ory4 ,he has   
f\nd a woman1 a nurse1 m ?an a nurse1 a 
secret lov]1 ca/ (f 9 favor ( ano!r4    
,miss ,hack/aff--y wrote t lett]--x is  
y\r h&--= rev5ge--on ,miss ,langdale &--
  ,y %an't h him6 almo/ hiss$ ,hel5     
,hack/aff4 ,if ,i _c--no "o %all6       
,natalie ,langdale fac$ h]1 defiant4 ,y 
are a jeal\s1 suspici\s p]son1 %e cri$4 
,doctor ,aitk5 kn[s--  ,"o mom5t1       

int]rupt$ ,craig4 ,mrs4 ,m>bury is gone4
 ,mrs4 ,w>dlaw is weak5$4 ,yet all :o   
are affect$ ) n]ve tr\bles are n        
necess>ily suff]+ f polyneuritis4 ,"s "o
 "h has be5 dilettant+ ) dea?4 ,x is (  
no use1 he ?und]$1 turn+ sudd5ly on a   
c[]+ figure4 ,y /ood to w9 mo/1 ) !     
money & y\r unholy love4 ,b ,miss       
,hack/aff1 ca/ (f1 has prov$ y\r        
,nemesis4 ,y\r n]v\sness is ! n]v\sness 
n ( polyneuritis1 b ( guilt1 ,doctor    
,w>dlaw6     ,,ix  ,,! ,,rubb] ,,dagg]  
,hypnotism c't beg9 to accompli% :at    
,k>at(f claims4 ,he's a fake1 ,k5n$y1 a 
fake4  ,pr(essor ,leslie ,ga9es ( !     
,dep>tm5t ( ,exp]im5tal ,psy*ology at ! 
univ]sity pac$ excit$ly up & d[n        
,craig's laboratory4  ,!re h be5        
compla9ts to ! ,c\nty ,m$ical ,society1 
he w5t on1 )\t /opp+1 & !y h tak5 ! case
 up & arrang$ a demon/ration = ?is      
aft]noon4 ,i've be5 delegat$ to att5d x 
& report4  ,i fanci$ f 8 tone & mann] t 
!re 0 j a bit m ?an pr(essional         
excitem5t involv$4 ,we did n "k ,ga9es  

intimately1 ?\gh ( c\rse ,k5n$y knew (  
him & he ( ,k5n$y4 ,"s ye>s be=e1 ,i    
recollect$1 he _h m>ri$ ,miss ,edi?     
,a%more1 ^: family 0 q prom95t socially1
 & ! m>riage _h attract$ a great deal ( 
att5tion at ! "t1 = %e _h be5 a /ud5t 9 
"o ( 8 c\rses :5 he 0 only an assi/ant  
pr(essor4  ,:o is ,k>at(f1 anyh[8 ask$  
,k5n$y4 ,:at is kn[n ab\t him8  ,dr4    
,gal5 ,k>at(f--a ,russian1 ,i believe1  
return$ ,ga9es4 ,he claims to be able to
 treat disease by hypnotism-sugge/ion1  
he calls x1 ?\gh x is really some?+ m   
?an t4 ,z ne>ly z ,i c make out x mu/   
almo/ am\nt to ?\ght transf]5ce1        
telepa?y1 or "s su* ?+4 ,oh1 he has a   
l>ge foll[+2 9 fact1 "s v well-kn[n p 9 
! sm>t set are go+ to him4 ,:y1 he add$1
 fac+ u1 ,edi?--my wife--has become     
int]e/$ 9 8 hypnotic cl9ics1 z he calls 
!m4 ,i tell h] x is m ?an half %am1 b %e
 won't believe x4  ,ga9es paus$ & x 0   
evid5t t he hesitat$ ov] ask+ some?+4   
,:5 is ! demon/ration8 inquir$ ,k5n$y1 )
 unconceal$ int]e/4  ,! pr(essor look$  

at 8 wat*4 ,i'm go+ ov] !re n[2 9 fact1 
,i'm j a bit late--only1 ,i happ5$ to   
?9k ( y & x occurr$ to me t p]haps if y 
c\ld add some?+ to my report x might    
c>ry weight4 ,w\ld y l to come ) me8    
,really1 ,i %\ld ?9k t x might int]e/ y4
  ,s f> ,k5n$y _h said little besides   
ask+ a "q or two4 ,i knew ! symptoms4   
,ga9es ne$ n h hesitat$ or urg$ him4 ,x 
0 j ! ?+ t appeal$ to him4  ,h[ did     
,mrs4 ,ga9es become int]e/$ 9 ! ?+8     
qu]i$ ,craig1 a mom5t lat]1 outside1 z  
we climb$ into ! c> ) ! pr(essor4       
,?r\gh an acqua9tance :o introduc$ h] to
 ,k>at(f & ! re/4 ,c>ita ,belleville1 ! 
danc]1 y "k8  ,k5n$y glanc$ at me & ,i  
nodd$ t ,i _h he>d ( h]4 ,x 0 only a few
 nights be=e t ,i _h se5 ,c>ita at "o ( 
! midnight revues1 do+ a dance :i* 0    
describ$ z ! hypnotic :irl1 a wild ab&on
 ( grace & motion4 ,c>ita ,belleville _h
 bur/ l a meteor on ! sky ( ! ,great    
,:ite ,way1 blaz+ a gorge\s trail among 
! fix$ />s ( t gay firmam5t4 ,%e _h ev5 
be5 tak5 up by society1 or at lea/ a    

c]ta9 cot]ie ( x1 _h become mu* s\ght   
aft] to d exhibition danc+ at social    
affairs1 & n[ 0 well kn[n 9 ! amusem5t  
notes ( ! newspap]s & at ! fa%ionable   
re/aurants4 ,%e _h ho/s ( admir]s & ,i  
_h no d\bt t ,mrs4 ,ga9es might well h  
fall5 "u ! spell ( h] popul>ity4  ,:at  
is ,miss ,belleville's int]e/ 9 ,k>at(f8
 pursu$ ,craig1 ke5ly4  ,ga9es %rugg$ 8 
%\ld]s4 ,notoriety1 p]haps1 he repli$4  
,x is a peculi> gr\p t ,k>at(f has ga!r$
 ab\t him1 !y tell me4  ,!re 0 some?+   
unsatisfactory ab\t ! answ] & ,i imag9$ 
t ,ga9es meant purposely to leave x s z 
n to prejudice ! case4 ,someh[1 ,i felt 
t !re mu/ be some?+ risque 9 ! do+s (   
,k>at(f & 8 pati5ts4 ,at any rate1 x 0  
only natural ) any?+ t ,c>ita           
,belleville 0 likely to be conc]n$ )4   
,!re 0 little "t = fur!r que/ions1 = our
 de/9ation 0 n f> d[n ! ,drive f !      
univ]sity1 & ! c> pull$ up be=e "o ( !  
new h&some & ornate /udio ap>tm5ts      
up-t[n4  ,we foll[$ ,ga9es into !       
build+1 & ! hall-boy direct$ u to a     

suite on ! fir/ floor4  ,a mom5t lat] we
 7 admitt$ by ,k>at(f himself to :at _h 
become kn[n z 8 hypnotic cl9ic1 really a
 mo/ arti/ically furni%$ /udio4  ,k>at(f
 himself 0 a tall1 d>k-hair$ fell[1     
be>d$1 some:at sall[4 ,e feature ( 8    
rem>kable face1 h[ev]1 0 subord9ate to a
 pair ( wond]ful1 deep-set1 pi]c+ eyes4 
,ev5 z he spoke1 greet+ ,ga9es on ! r   
tickli% mission he _h come1 & accept+ u 
) a quick glance & nod1 we c\ld see     
in/antly t he 01 inde$1 a fasc9at+      
fell[1 e in* a my/ic4  ,8 cl9ic1 or1 z  
,i h said1 /udio1 c>ri$ out well !      
impression ( my/icism t "o d]iv$ f !    
/range p]sonality :o presid$ ov] x4 ,!re
 7 only two or ?ree rooms 9 ! ap>tm5t1  
"o be+ ! l>ge room d[n ! end ( a v %ort 
hall to :i* he conduct$ u4 ,x 0 d>k5$1  
necess>ily1 s9ce x 0 on ! fir/ floor ( !
 tall build+1 & ! air seem$ to be heavy 
) odors t sugge/$ ! ,ori5t4 ,altoge!r   
!re 0 a cultivat$ dream9ess ab\t x t 0  
no less exotic because /udi$4 ,doctor   
,k>at(f paus$ at ! door to introduce u1 

& we c\ld see t we 7 und]go+ a close    
scrut9y f ! p>ty :o 7 assembl$ !re4  ,on
 a qua9t /& tea 0 brew+ & ! :ole        
assemblage _h an atmosph]e ( bohemian   
cam>ad]ie :i*1 ) ! pr(essions ( ,k>at(f1
 promis$ well t ,k5n$y 0 n wa/+ "t4  ,i 
wat*$ p>ticul>ly ! ex*ange ( greet+s    
betwe5 ,pr(essor ,ga9es & ,edi? ,ga9es1 
:o 0 already !re4 ,nei!r ( !m seem$ to  
be p]fectly at ease1 ?\gh !y betray$ z  
little z !y c\ld4 ,h[ev]1 "o c\ld n help
 notic+ t ea* 0 wat*+ ! o!r1 naturally4 
,edi? ,ga9es 0 a pretty little woman1   
petite1 light ( hair1 da9ty1 ! v type ( 
woman :o crav$ = & ?riv$ on att5tion4   
,"h at lea/ !re seem$ to be no lack ( x4
 ,!re 0 only "o o!r woman 9 ! room :o   
attract$ ! m5 equally1 ,c>ita           
,belleville h]self4 ,c>ita 0 inde$ a    
/unn+ woman1 tall1 sl5d]1 d>k1 ) a      
wond]ful pair ( magnetic eyes4  ,z ,i   
wat*$1 ,i c\ld see t bo? wom5 7 q       
fri5dly ) ,doctor ,k>at(f--p]haps ev5   
rivals = 8 att5tions4 ,i saw ,ga9es     
wat*+ ,c>ita att5tively1 nev] 9 ! mean  

"t fail+ = long to lose sight ( ,mrs4   
,ga9es4 ,0 he try+ to e/imate ! relative
 popul>ity ( ! two 9 ?is /range gr\p8   
,if s1 ,i fail$ to see any approval (   
ei!r4  ,introductions 7 n[ com+ s fa/ t 
nei!r ,k5n$y nor ,i _h mu* opportunity  
except = ! mo/ cursory obs]vation ( ! p4
 ,among ! m51 h[ev]1 ,i notic$ two      
especially :o prov$ wor? obs]vation4 ,"o
 0 ,arm& ,m>*ant1 well kn[n z a brok]1 n
 s mu* = 8 pr(essional do+s z = 8 o!r   
activities4 ,?\gh successful1 he 0 bett]
 kn[n z "o ( ^? :o des]t ,wall ,/reet   
promptly at ! h\r ( clos+1 to be f\nd   
late 9 ! aft]noon at ! tea dances       
up-t[n4  ,ano!r 0 ,cyril ,errol1 a man (
 leisure1 well kn[n also 9 ! club _w4   
,he _h inh]it$ an e/ate1 small1 p]haps1 
b ample to all[ him to ma9ta9           
appe>ances4 ,errol impress$ y z be+ "o  
to :om ! good ?+s ( ! _w appeal$        
mightily1 a h$oni/1 &1 )al1 v mu*       
attract$ to & by ! ladies4  ,x 0 =tunate
 t ! s]v+ ( tea enabl$ u to look ab\t & 
get our be>+s4 ,9 spite ( ! suppress$   

excitem5t & obvi\s re/ra9t ( ! occasion1
 we 7 able to le>n mu* ov] ! tea-cups4  
,errol seem$ to vibrate betwe5 ! gr\p   
ab\t ,mrs4 ,ga9es & t ab\t ,miss        
,belleville1 welcome :]ev] he w5t1 = he 
0 :at m5 commonly call a good mix]4     
,m>*ant1 on ! o!r h&1 0 almo/ always to 
be f\nd n f> f ,edi? ,ga9es4 ,p]haps x 0
 ! m brilliant conv]sation t attract$   
him1 = x ran on _m subjects1 b x 0      
difficult to expla9 x s to my           
satisfaction4 ,all ( :i* ,i saw ,ga9es  
duly not+1 n = ! report he _h to make to
 ! ,m$ical ,society1 b = 8 own          
in=mation4 ,9 fact1 x 0 difficult to    
tell ! precise degree ( disapproval )   
:i* he reg>d$ ,k>at(f1 ,errol1 &        
,m>*ant1 9 turn1 z he not$ ! intimacy ( 
,edi? ,ga9es ) !m4 ,i wi%$ t we might   
obs]ve !m all :5 !y did n "k x1 = ,i    
c\ld n det]m9e :e!r %e 0 tak+ pleasure 9
 piqu+ ! pr(essor or :e!r %e 0 hold+ h] 
admir]s 9 lea% 9 8 pres5ce4 ,at any     
rate1 ,i felt ,i ne$ lay no claim to    
clairvoyance to pr$ict ! nature ( !     

report t ,ga9es w\ld prep>e4  ,!        
conv]sation 0 at its height :5 ,k>at(f  
deta*$ himself f "o ( ! gr\ps & took a  
position 9 a corn] ( ! room1 alone4 ,n a
 ^w 0 said by him1 yet z if by magic !  
buzz ( conv]sation ceas$4 ,k>at(f look$ 
ab\t z ?\gh pr\d ( ! p[] ( ev5 8 sil5ce4
 ,:atev] might be said ( ! man1 at lea/ 
8 v pres5ce seem$ to comm& respect f 8  
foll[]s4  ,i _h expect$ t he w\ld make  
"s ref]5ce to ,ga9es & ourselves & !    
purpose ( ! meet+1 b he avoid$ ! subject
 &1 in/ead1 *ose to leap "r into !      
middle ( ?+s4  ,s t !re c be no "q ab\t 
:at ,i am able to d1 he began1 ,i wi%   
ea* ( y to write on a piece ( pap] :at y
 w\ld l to h me cause any "o to d or say
 "u hypnotism4 ,y w please fold ! pap]  
tightly1 cov]+ ! writ+4 ,i w read ! pap]
 to myself1 /ill fold$ up1 w hypnotize !
 subject1 & w make ! subject d :atev] is
 desir$4 ,t w be prelim9>y to :at ,i h  
to say lat] ab\t my p[]s 9 hypnotic     
!rapeutics4  ,pieces ( pap] & little    
lead-p5cils 7 di/ribut$ by an att5dant &

 9 ! ru/l+ sil5ce t foll[$ ea* cudgel$ 8
 bra9 = some?+ t w\ld put to ! te/ !    
p[]s ( ,k>at(f4  ,?9k+1 ,i look$ ab\t ! 
room4 ,ne> ! speak] /ood a table on :i* 
lay a curi\s collection ( games & books1
 musical in/rum5ts1 & o!r ?+s t might   
sugge/ actions to be p]=m$ 9 ! te/4 ,my 
eye w&]$ to a phonograph /&+ next !     
table4 ,someh[1 ,i c\ld n get ,mrs4     
,ga9es & ,c>ita ,belleville out ( my    
head4  ,sl[ly ,i wrote1 ,h ,mrs4 ,ga9es 
pick out a record1 play x on !          
phonograph1 !n let h] d z %e pleases4   
,"s mom5ts elaps$ :ile ! o!rs wrote4    
,app>5tly !y 7 try+ to devise me?ods (  
te/+ ,doctor ,k>at(f's mettle4 ,!n !    
pap]s 7 collect$ & deposit$ on ! table  
beside him4  ,app>5tly at r&om ,k>at(f  
pick$ out "o ( ! fold$ pap]s1 !n1       
seem+ly )\t look+ at x & c]ta9ly )\t    
unfold+ x1 z f> z ,i c\ld det]m9e1 he   
held x up to 8 =ehead4  ,x 0 an old     
trick1 ,i knew4 ,p]haps he _h palm$ a   
sponge wet ) alcohol or "s o!r liquid1  
_h bru%$ x ov] ! pap]1 mak+ ! writ+     

visible ?r\gh x1 & dry+ out rapidly s z 
to leave ! pap] opaque aga9 long be=e   
any ( u saw x a second "t4 ,or 0 he     
really ex]cis+ "s occult p[]8 ,at any   
rate1 he read x1 or pret5d$ to read x1  
at lea/4  ,i am ask$ to hypnotize ,mrs4 
,ga9es1 he ann\nc$1 dropp+ ! pap]       
unconc]n$ly on ! table beside ! o!r     
pile1 z ?\gh ?is 7 m]e *ild's play = 8  
p[]s4 ,x 0 some?+ ( a %ock to realize t 
x 0 my pap] he _h *anc$ to pick up fir/1
 & ,i lean$ =w>d eag]ly1 wat*+4  ,mrs4  
,ga9es rose & e eye 0 rivet$ on h] z    
,k>at(f plac$ h] 9 an easy-*air be=e    
him4 ,!re 0 an expectant sil5ce1 z      
,k>at(f mov$ ! *air s t %e c\ld         
conc5trate h] att5tion only on a bright 
silv] globe susp5d$ f ! ceil+4 ,!       
half-light1 ! heavy atmosph]e1 ! quiet1 
assur$ mann] ( ! *ief actor 9 ! sc5e1   
all comb9$ to make hypnotization z ne>ly
 possible z circum/ances c\ld4 ,k>at(f  
mov$ be=e h]1 pass+ 8 h&s ) a peculi>   
motion be=e h] eyes4 ,x seem$ an        
incr$ibly %ort "t 9 :i* ,edi? ,ga9es    

yield$ to ! /range =ce :i* fasc9at$ !   
gr\p4  ,q susceptible1 murmur$ ,k5n$y1  
beside me1 engross$ 9 ! op]ation4  ,x is
 my te/1 ,i :isp]$ back1 & he nodd$4    
,sl[ly ,edi? ,ga9es rose f ! *air1 fac$ 
u ) unsee+ eyes1 except z ,k>at(f       
direct$4 ,k>at(f himself 0 a /udy4 ,x   
seem$ z if he _h focus$ e ounce ( 8     
faculties on ! accompli%m5t ( ! task 9  
h&4 ,sl[ly /ill ! woman mov$1 z if 9 a  
dream walk1 ov] t[>d ! phonograph1 rea*$
 into ! cab9et b5ea? x & drew =? a book 
( records4 ,k>at(f fac$ u1 z if to      
assure u t at t po9t he _h resign$ 8    
control & 0 n[ lett+ h] act = h]        
subconsci\s self4  ,h] f+]s pass$ ov]   
page aft] page until f9ally %e /opp$1   
drew =? ! record1 plac$ x on ! ma*9e1   
w\nd x1 !n plac$ ! record on ! revolv+  
disk4  ,my fir/ surprise 0 quickly *ang$
 to gratification4 ,%e _h pick$ out !   
music to ! ,hypnotic ,:irl4 ,i b5t =w>d1
 m int5t4 ,:at w\ld %e d next8  ,z %e   
turn$ ,i c\ld see1 ev5 9 ! dim light1 a 
height5$ color 9 h] *eeks1 z ?\gh !     

excitem5t ( ! cat*y music _h infect$ h]4
 ,a mom5t lat] %e 0 execut+1 & v        
cr$itably1 too1 an imitation ( ,c>ita   
h]self 9 ! ,revue4 ,:at did x mean8 ,0 x
 t consci\sly or unconsci\sly %e 0 tak+ 
! sl5d] danc] z h] model8 ,! skill & k t
 %e put into ! dance %[$ pla9ly4  ,next 
to ,k5n$y1 ,i saw ,ga9es lean+ f> =w>d1 
look+ n[ at 8 wife1 n[ at ! little gr\p4
 ,i foll[$ 8 eyes4 ,to my surprise1 ,i  
saw ,m>*ant1 8 gaze rivet$ on ,edi?     
,ga9es z if %e _h be5 ! /> p]=m] 9 a    
play4 ,evid5tly my *ance reque/ to      
,k>at(f _h be5 build$ bett] ?an ,i knew4
 ,i ran my gaze ov] ! o!rs4 ,errol 0 no 
less engross$ ?an ,m>*ant4 ,quickly ,i  
glanc$ at ,c>ita1 wond]+ :e!r %e might  
be gratifi$ by ! p]=mance ( a pupil4    
,:e!r x 0 natural grace or real         
hypnotism 9 ! ,hypnotic ,:irl1 ,i 0     
surpris$ to see on ,c>ita's face some?+ 
t look$ /rangely ak9 to jeal\sy4 ,x 0 z 
?\gh "s o!r woman _h usurp$ h]          
pr]ogative4 ,%e lean$ ov] to speak to   
,errol ) ! easy famili>ity ( an old     

admir]4 ,i c\ld n he> :at 0 said &      
p]haps x 0 inconsequ5tial4 ,9 fact1 x   
mu/ h be5 ! v inconsequ5tiality ( 8     
reply t piqu$ h]4 ,he glanc$ at ,m>*ant 
a mom5t1 z if %e _h said some?+ ab\t    
him1 !n back at ,edi? ,ga9es4 ,on 8 "p1 
,pr(essor ,ga9es 0 gr[+ m & m furi\s4   
,i _h j ab\t decid$ t ! little drama 9 !
 audi5ce 0 ( f> m importance & int]e/   
?an ev5 ! dance1 :5 ! music ceas$4      
,k>at(f approa*$1 took ,mrs4 ,ga9es by !
 h&1 l$ h] back to ! *air1 &1 at a ^w1  
%e rega9$ h] normal consci\sness4 ,z %e 
rose1 /ill 9 a daze x seem$1 x 0 q      
evid5t t %e _h no wak+ realization ( :at
 _h happ5$1 = %e walk$ back & sat d[n   
beside h] husb&1 q z ?\gh no?+ _h       
happ5$4  ,z = me1 ,i c\ld n help wond]+ 
:at _h actually happ5$4 ,:at did x all  
mean8 ,_h ,mrs4 ,ga9es express$ h] own  
self--or 0 x ,k>at(f--or ,m>*ant--or    
,errol8 ,:at 0 ! "p play$ by ,c>ita     
,belleville8 ,ga9es did n betray any?+  
to h]1 b _! mutual attitude 0 eloqu5t4  
,!re 0 some?+ ( :i* he disapprov$ & %e  

knew x1 "s lack ( h>mony4 ,:at 0 !      
cause8  ,z = ,k>at(f's exhibition1 x 0  
all truly rem>kable1 :e!r 9 8 !rapeutics
 ! man 0 a fak] or n4  ,k>at(f seem$ to 
realize t he _h made a hit4 ,)\t giv+   
any "o a *ance to "q him1 he rea*$ d[n  
quickly & pick$ up ano!r ( ! pap]s1     
repeat+ ! process ?r\gh :i* he _h gone  
be=e4  ,mr4 ,errol1 he summon$1 plac+ ! 
second fold$ pap] on ! table ) ! fir/4  
,errol rose & w5t =w>d & ,k>at(f plac$  
him 9 ! *air z he _h ,mrs4 ,ga9es4 ,!re 
seem$ to be no hesitation1 at lea/ on ! 
"p ( ,k>at(f's foll[]s1 to be+          
hypnotiz$4  ,:atev] x 0 writt5 on !     
pap]1 ! writ] _h evid5tly n tru/$ to    
*ance1 z ,i _h1 b _h told specifically  
:at to d4  ,at ! mute bidd+ ( ,k>at(f   
,errol rose4 ,we wat*$ brea?lessly4     
,delib]ately he walk$ across ! room to !
 table1 &1 to ! a/oni%m5t ( all save "o1
 pick$ up a rubb] dagg]1 "o ( ^? ) :i*  
*ildr5 play1 :i* 0 ly+ 9 ! miscellane\s 
pile on ! table4 ,i _h n notic$ x1 b "s 
"o's ke5 eye _h1 & evid5tly x _h sugge/$

 a melodramatic reque/4  ,quickly ,errol
 turn$4 ,if he _h be5 a motion-picture  
actor1 he c\ld n h portray$ bett] !     
similitude ( hate t 0 writt5 on 8 face4 
,a few /rides & he _h advanc$ t[>d our  
little audi5ce1 n[ key$ up to ! highe/  
pit* ( excitem5t by ! extraord9>y       
exhibition4  ,( c\rse1 rem>k$ ,k>at(f1 z
 at a ^w ,errol paus$1 /ill pois+ !     
dagg]1 y "k t "u hypnotism 9 !          
psy*ological laboratory a pati5t has (t5
 /ruck at 8 'enemy' ) a rubb] dagg]1 go+
 ?r\gh all ! motions ( real passion4    
,n[6  ,no ^w 0 said by ,k>at(f to       
indicate to ,errol :at x 0 t he 0 to d4 
,b a gasp w5t up f "s "o z he took ano!r
 /ep & x 0 evid5t t x 0 ,m>*ant :om he  
_h s+l$ out4 ,= j a mom5t ,errol pois$ !
 rubb] dagg] ov] 8 victim1 z if gloat+4 
,x 0 dramatic1 reali/ic4 ,z ,errol      
paus$1 ,m>*ant smil$ at ! re/ ( u1 a    
sickly smile1 ,i ?\ght1 z ?\gh he w\ld h
 said t ! play 0 be+ c>ri$ too f>4      
,nev] = a mom5t did ,errol take f him ! 
m5ac+ look4 ,x 0 only a mom5t 9 ! play1 

yet x 0 s unexpect$ t x seem$ ages4 ,!n1
 swiftly1 d[n came ! dagg] on ,m>*ant's 
left side j ov] ! brea/1 ! rubb] po9t   
b5d+ pliantly z x desc5d$4  ,a %>p cry  
escap$ ,m>*ant4 ,i look$ quickly4 ,he _h
 fall5 =w>d1 face d[n1 on ! floor4      
,edi? ,ga9es scream$ z we ru%$ to       
,m>*ant & turn$ him ov]4 ,= ! mom5t1 z  
,k5n$y1 ,k>at(f1 & ,ga9es b5t ov] him & 
endeavor$ to loos5 8 coll> & apply a    
re/orative1 con/]nation reign$ 9 !      
little circle4 ,i b5t ov]1 too1 & look$ 
fir/ at ,m>*ant's flu%$ face1 !n at     
,k5n$y4 ,m>*ant 0 dead6  ,!re 0 n a m>k 
on him1 app>5tly4 ,only a mom5t be=e he 
_h be5 "o ( u4 ,we c\ld look at "o ano!r
 only 9 amazem5t1 t+$ ) fe>4 ,kill$ by a
 rubb] dagg]8 ,0 x possible8  ,call an  
ambulance--quick6 direct$ ,k5n$y to me1 
?\gh ,i knew t he knew x 0 ( no use     
except z a matt] ( =m4  ,we /ood ab\t ! 
pro/rate =m1 /unn$4 ,9 a few mom5ts !   
police w\ld be !re4 ,in/9ctively we     
look$ at ,k>at(f4 ,pla9ly he 0 n]v\s &  
ov]wr\ght n[4 ,8 voice %ook z he br\ght 

,errol out ( ! trance1 & ,errol1 daz$1  
uncompreh5d+1 /ruggl$ to take 9 !       
horribly unreal trag$y :i* greet$ 8     
return to consci\sness4  ,x--x 0 an     
accid5t1 mutt]$ ,k>at(f1 eag]ly try+ to 
ju/ify himself1 ?\gh trembl+ = once 9 8 
life4 ,art]ioscl]osis1 p]haps1 h>d5+ ( !
 art]ies1 "s weakness ( ! he>t4 ,i      
nev]--  ,he cut ! words %ort z ,edi?    
,ga9es reel$ & fell into h] husb&'s     
arms4 ,%e seem$ completely pro/rat$ by !
 %ock4 ,or 0 x weakness foll[+ ! high   
m5tal t5sion ( h] own hypnotization8    
,toge!r we endeavor$ to revive h]1 wait+
 = ! fir/ flutt] ( h] eyelids1 :i* seem$
 an int]m9able "t4  ,errol 9 ! mean "t 0
 pac+ ! floor l "o 9 a dream4 ,ev5ts _h 
foll[$ "o ano!r s fa/ 9 ! confusion t ,i
 _h only an unrelat$ s]ies (            
impressions4 ,x 0 n until a mom5t lat] t
 ,i realiz$ ! full import ( ! affair1 :5
 ,i saw ,k5n$y /&+ ne> ! table 9 !      
position ,k>at(f _h assum$1 a /range    
look ( p]plexity on 8 face4 ,sl[ly ,i   
realiz$ :at 0 ! cause4 ,! pap]s on :i* 7

 writt5 ! reque/s = ! exhibitions (     
,k>at(f's skill 7 gone6  ,:atev] 0 done 
mu/ be done quickly1 & ,k5n$y look$ ab\t
 ) a glance t miss$ no?+4 ,be=e ,i c\ld 
say a ^w ab\t ! pap]s he _h cross$ !    
room to :]e ,m>*ant _h be5 /&+ 9 !      
little gr\p ab\t ,edi? ,ga9es z we      
ent]$4 ,on a side-table /ood ! teacup f 
:i* he _h be5 sipp+4 ,) 8 back to ! re/1
 ,k5n$y drew f 8 brea/ pocket a little  
em]g5cy case he c>ri$ conta9+ a few ?9  
m9iature glass tubes4 ,quickly he p\r$ !
 few drops ( ! dregs ( ! tea into "o ( !
 tubes1 !n into o!rs tea f ! o!r cups4  
,aga9 he look$ at ! face ( ,m>*ant z    
?\gh try+ to read 9 ! horrifi$ smile t  
_h petrifi$ on x "s my/]i\s secret hidd5
 und]nea?4 ,sl[ly ! "q 0 %ap+ 9 my m9d1 
0 x1 z ,k>at(f w\ld h u believe1 an     
accid5t8  ,! clang ( a bell outside ?rew
 u all into worse confusion1 & a mom5t  
lat]1 almo/ toge!r1 a :ite-coat$ surgeon
 & a blue-coat$ policeman bur/ into !   
room4 ,x seem$ almo/ no "t1 9 ! swirl ( 
ev5ts1 be=e ! policeman 0 jo9$ by a     

detective assign$ by ! ,c5tral ,(fice to
 t di/rict4  ,well1 doctor1 dem&$ !     
detective z he ent]$1 :at's ! v]dict8   
,art]ioscl]osis1 ,i ?9k1 repli$ ! "y    
surgeon4 ,!y tell me !re 0 "s k9d (     
hypnotic seance go+ on4 ,"o ( !m nam$   
,errol /ruck at him ) a rubb] dagg]1 &--
  ,get out6 sc(f$ ! ,c5tral ,(fice man4 
,kill$ by a rubb] dagg]6 ,say1 :at d y  
?9k we are8 ,:at did y f9d :5 y ent]$1  
s]geant8  ,! policeman h&$ ! detective !
 rubb] dagg] :i* he _h pick$ up1 =gott51
 on ! floor :]e ,errol _h dropp$ x :5 he
 came out f ! hypnotization4  ,!        
detective took x g+]ly & suspici\sly1 ) 
a gr[l4 ,i'll h ! po9t ( ?is analyz$4 ,x
 may be--well--we won't say :at may be4 
,b ,i c tell y :at is4 ,y1 ,doctor      
,k>at(f1 or :atev] y\r "n is1 & y1 ,mr4 
,errol1 are "u arre/4 ,x's a good deal  
easi] to take y n[ ?an x w be lat]4 ,!n 
if y c get a judge to release y1 we'll  
at lea/ "k :]e y are4  ,?is is          
outrage\s1 prepo/]\s6 /orm$ ,k>at(f4    
,c't help x1 return$ ! (fic]1 coolly4   

,:y1 exclaim$ ,c>ita ,belleville1       
excit$ly project+ h]self be=e ! two     
prison]s1 x's ridicul\s6 ,ev5 !         
ambulance surgeon says x 0              
art]ioscl]osis1 an accid5t4 ,i--  ,v    
well1 madam1 calm$ ! s]geant4 ,s mu* !  
bett]4 ,!y'll get out ( our h&s t mu*   
quick]4 ,j at pres5t x is my duty4      
,errol 0 /&+ sil5t1 8 eyes av]t$ f !    
hide\s =m on ! floor1 n by ^w or action 
betray+ a feel+4 ,! police mov$ to !    
door4  ,weak & trembl+ /ill f ! triple  
%ock %e _h receiv$1 ,edi? ,ga9es lean$  
heavily on ! arm ( h] husb&1 b x 01 z   
ne>ly z ,i c\ld make out1 only =        
physical support4  ,i told y1 ,edi?1 x 0
 a dang]\s bus9ess1 ,i he>d him mutt]4  
,only ,i nev] contemplat$ t !y'd c>ry x 
?is f>4 ,n[ y see :at su* fooli%ness c  
lead to4  ,weak ?\gh %e 01 %e drew away 
& fla%$ a glance at him1 res5t+ 8 man's 
,i-told-y-s mann]4 ,! la/ ,i saw ( !m 9 
! confusion 0 z !y drove (f 9 ! c>1 /ill
 unreconcil$4  ,k5n$y seem$ well        
cont5t$1 = ! pres5t at lea/1 to all[ !  

police a free h& ) ,errol & ,k>at(f4 ,z 
= me1 ,mrs4 ,ga9es & ,c>ita ,belleville 
pres5t$ a p]plex+ problem1 b ,i said    
no?+1 = he 0 hurry+ back n[ to 8        
laboratory4  ,at once he drew =? !      
little tube conta9+ ! few drops ( tea & 
empti$ a drop or two into a beak] (     
fre%ly di/ill$ wat] z c>efully z if !   
tea _h be5 "s elixir ( life4 ,z he 0    
exam9+ ! cont5ts ( ! beak] 8 face cl\d$ 
) ?\ght4  ,d y f9d any?+8 ,i ask$1      
eag]ly4  ,k5n$y %ook 8 head4 ,!re's     
some?+ wrong1 he haz>d$4 ,p]haps x's    
only fancy1 b ,i am sure t !re is some?+
 ) a slight odor 9 ! tea1 some?+ tea-l1 
b ) a m bitt] ta/e1 some?+ t w\ld be    
nause\s if n conceal$ 9 ! tea4 ,!re's m 
?an tann9 & sug> "h4  ,!n y ?9k t "s "o 
pres5t plac$ some?+ 9 ! tea8 ,i inquir$1
 %udd]+ at ! ?\ght t we _h run "s unkn[n
 dang]4  ,i c't j say1 )\t fur!r        
inve/igation ( ?is & ! o!r samples ,i   
took4  ,/ill1 y h elim9at$ t ridicul\s  
dagg] !ory1 ,i v5tur$4  ,! police c nev]
 appreciate ! "p x play$1 ,craig answ]$1

 non-committally1 lay+ out v>i\s        
*emicals prep>atory to 8 exhau/ive      
analysis4 ,i began to suspect some?+ !  
mom5t ,i notic$ t ^? notes :i* we all   
wrote 7 gone4 ,:5 we f9d out ab\t ?is   
tea we may f9d :o took !m4 ,p]haps !    
my/]y is n su* a my/]y aft] all1 !n4    
,!re seem$ to be no?+ t ,i c\ld d1 9 !  
mean "t1 except to refra9 f h9d]+ ,k5n$y
 9 8 inve/igations1 & ,i decid$ to leave
 him at ! laboratory :ile ,i devot$ my  
"t to wat*+ :at ! police might by *ance 
turn up1 ev5 if !y %\ld prove to be     
work+ on ! wrong angle ( ! case4  ,i    
soon f\nd t !y 7 %[+ en]gy1 if no?+     
else4 ,al?\gh x 0 s soon aft] ! dea? (  
,m>*ant1 !y _h det]m9$ t !re c\ld n h   
be5 any?+ b rubb] on ! end ( ! toy dagg]
 :i* _h excit$ ! d\bts ( ! detective4   
,z = ! autopsy t 0 p]=m$ on ,m>*ant1 x  
did1 inde$1 %[ t he 0 suff]+ f h>d5+ ( !
 art]ies1 due to 8 mann] ( liv+1 z      
,k>at(f _h ass]t$4 ,inde$1 ! police     
succe$$ 9 %[+ t x 0 j = t tr\ble t      
,m>*ant 0 go+ to ,k>at(f1 :i*1 to my    

m9d1 seem$ q suffici5t to e/abli% !     
!rapeutic hypnoti/ z all t ,ga9es _h    
accus$ him ( be+4 ,ev5 to my lay m9d !  
treatm5t ( art]ioscl]osis by m5tal heal+
 seem$1 to say ! lea/1 incongru\s4  ,yet
 ! evid5ce aga9/ ,k>at(f & ,errol 0 s   
flimsy t !y _h little tr\ble 9 gett+    
releas$ on bail1 ?\gh1 ( c\rse1 x 0 fix$
 v high4  ,my own inquiries among ! o!r 
report]s on ! ,/> :o might "k some?+    
(f]$ a m promis+ lead4 ,i soon f\nd t   
,errol _h none too savory a reputation4 
,8 mann] ( life _h add$ no?+ to 8 sl5d] 
means1 & !re 0 a g5]al impression among 
8 fell[ club-memb]s t un=tunate         
inve/m5ts _h made s]i\s inroads into !  
pr9cipal ( 8 =tune4 ,/ill1 ,i hesitat$  
to =m ev5 an op9ion on gossip4  ,q      
unsatisfi$ ) ! result ( my inve/igation1
 ,i c\ld n re/ra9 my impati5ce to get   
back to ! laboratory to f9d out :e!r    
,k5n$y _h made any progress 9 8 te/s ( !
 tea4  ,if y _h be5 five m9utes e>li]1  
he greet$ me1 y w\ld h be5 surpris$ to  
f9d a visitor4  ,a visitor8 ,i repeat$4 

,:o8  ,c>ita ,belleville1 he repli$1    
enjoy+ my incr$ulity4  ,:at c\ld %e     
want8 ,i ask$1 at l5g?4  ,t's :at ,i've 
be5 wond]+1 he agre$ ,h] excuse 0       
plausible4 ,%e said t %e _h j he>d :y ,i
 _h come ) ,ga9es4 ,i suppose x 0 half  
an h\r t %e sp5t endeavor+ to conv9ce me
 t ,k>at(f & ,errol c\ld n possibly h _h
 any o!r connection ?an accid5tal ) !   
dea? ( ,m>*ant4  ,c\ld x h be5 a ^w = !m
 & half an h\r = h]self8 ,i qu]i$1      
my/ifi$4  ,k5n$y %rugg$4 ,i c't say4 ,at
 any rate1 ,i mu/ see bo? ,k>at(f &     
,errol1 n[ t !y are out4 ,p]haps !y did 
s5d h]1 ?9k+ ,i might fall = h]4 ,%e    
h9t$ pretty broadly at us+ my influ5ce )
 ,ga9es on 8 report4 ,!n1 aga91 %e may  
simply h be5 wond]+ h[ %e h]self /ood4  
,h y f\nd any?+8 ,i ask$1 notic+ t 8    
laboratory table 0 pil$ high ) its usual
 p>aph]nalia4  ,yes1 he repli$1         
laconically1 tak+ a bottle ( conc5trat$ 
sulphuric acid & p\r+ a few drops 9 a   
beak] ( slightly t+$ wat]4  ,! wat]     
turn$ sl[ly to a beautiful gre54 ,no    

soon] 0 ! reaction complete ?an he took 
"s brom9e & add$ x4 ,sl[ly aga9 ! wat]  
*ang$1 ?is "t f ! gre5 to a peculi>     
violet r$4 ,add+ m wat] re/or$ ! gre5   
color4  ,t's ! ,gr&eau te/1 he nodd$1 ) 
satisfaction4 ,i've tri$ ! physiological
 te/1 too1 ) frogs f ! biological       
dep>tm5t1 & x %[s ! effect on ! he>t t  
,i--  ,:at %[s ! effect8 ,i int]rupt$1  
some:at impati5tly4  ,oh1 to be sure1 he
 smil$4 ,i =got ,i hadn't told y :at ,i 
suspect$4 ,:y1 digitalis--foxglove1 y   
"k4 ,i suppose x nev] occurr$ to !      
police t ! rubb] dagg] might h cov]$ up 
a peculi> poison+8 ,well1 if !y'll take 
! cont5ts ( ! /oma*1 9 alcohol1 ) a     
little wat] acidulat$1 /ra9 (f !        
filtrate & try x on a dog1 !y w see t   
its effect is ! effect ( digitalis4     
,digitalis is an accumulative poison & a
 p[]ful /imulant ( art]ial walls1 by    
exp]im5tal evid5ce an ideal drug = !    
purpose ( increas+ blood pressure4      
,don't y see x8 he add$1 excit$ly4 ,!   
rubb] dagg] 0 only a means to an end4   

,"s "o :o knew ! weakness ( ,m>*ant fir/
 plac$ digitalis 9 8 tea4 ,t 0 possible 
because ( ! ta/e ( ! tea4 ,!n1 9 !      
excitem5t ( ! act pantomim$ by ,errol1  
,m>*ant's disease c>ri$ him (f1 exactly 
z 0 to be expect$ "u ! circum/ances4 ,x 
0 clev]1 diabolically clev]4 ,:oev] did 
x de/roy$ ! note 9 :i* ! act 0 sugge/$ &
 c\nt$ t no "o w\ld ev] /op to se>* = a 
poison 9 ! tangle ( ev5ts4  ,sl[ly b    
cle>ly ,i began to realize h[ c]ta9ly   
,k5n$y 0 recon/ruct+ ! /range case4 ,b  
:o 0 x8 ,:at 0 ! motive back ( ?is s9i/]
 murd] t _h be5 s c>efully plann$ t no  
"o w\ld ev] suspect a crime8  ,i _h     
h>dly fram$ ! qu]ies :5 our telephone   
rang4 ,x 0 ! ,c5tral ,(fice man4 ,!     
detective _h anticipat$ my own l9e (    
inquiry1 only _h gone mu* fur!r ) x4 ,he
 _h f\nd a cle> record ( ! bus9ess      
relations exi/+ betwe5 ,errol & ,m>*ant4
 ,"o episode consi/$ ( a /ock deal      
betwe5 !m 9 :i* ,errol _h inve/$ 9 a    
/ock :i* ,m>*ant 0 promot+ & 0 kn[n to  
be :at brok]s call cats & dogs4 ,t1 ,i  

reason$1 mu/ h be5 ! basis ( ! gossip t 
,errol _h suff]$ f9ancial losses t      
s]i\sly impair$ 8 little =tune4 ,x 0 an 
important item & ,k5n$y accept$ x       
gladly1 b said no?+ ( 8 own discov]y4 ,!
 "t _h n arriv$ yet to come out into !  
op54  ,= a few mom5ts aft] ! talk ) !   
detective ,k5n$y seem$ to be revolv+ !  
case1 z ?\gh 9 d\bt :e!r ! new in=mation
 cle>$ x up or add$ to ! my/]y4 ,!n he  
rose sudd5ly4  ,we mu/ f9d ,k>at(f1 he  
ann\nc$4  ,:atev] might h be5 !         
connection ( ! hypnoti/ ) ?is /range    
case1 he 0 f> too clev] to betray       
himself by any su* mis/ep z seem+ to    
avoid inquiry4 ,we f\nd him easily at 8 
/udio ap>tm5t1 nor did we h any         
difficulty 9 ga9+ admittance4 ,he knew t
 he 0 wat*$ & t frankness 0 8 be/ weapon
 ( def5se4  ,( c\rse1 op5$ ,k5n$y1 y "k 
t inve/igation has %[n t y 7 "r 9 y\r   
diagnosis ( ! tr\ble ) ,m>*ant4 ,0 x    
art]ioscl]osis = :i* y 7 treat+ him8  ,x
 w\ld be unpr(essional to discuss x1    
ha/ily p>ri$ ,k>at(f1 b1 s9ce ,mr4      

,m>*ant is n[ dead1 ,i ?9k ,i may say t 
x 04 ,9 fact1 few p]sons1 outside ( ^?  
:om ,i h associat$ ab\t me1 realize to  
:at a wond]ful ext5t hypnotism may be   
c>ri$ 9 ! treatm5t ( disease4 ,:y1 ,i h 
ev5 _h wond]ful success ) su* disord]s z
 diabetes mellitus4 ,we are only on !   
?re%old ( und]/&+ :at a wond]ful ?+ is !
 human m9d 9 its effect on ! mat]ial    
body4  ,b ano!r pati5t might h kn[n :at 
,m>*ant 0 be+ treat$ =8 int]rupt$       
,k5n$y1 ignor+ ! def5se ( ,k>at(f1 :i* 0
 proce$+ along ! /]eotyp$ l9es ( su*    
vag>ies :i* seem nev] to be )\t foll[]s4
  ,k>at(f look$ at him a mom5t 9        
surprise4 ,evid5tly he 0 do+ "s ha/y    
m5tal calculation to det]m9e :at 0      
,craig's ult]ior motive4 ,&1 9 spite ( 8
 almo/ uncanny claims & p]=mances1 ,i   
c\ld see t he 0 able to read ,k5n$y's   
m9d no :it bett] ?an myself4  ,i suppose
 s1 he admitt$4 ,no doctor 0 ev] able to
 control 8 pati5ts' tongues4 ,sometimes 
!y boa/ ( _! diseases4  ,especially if  
!y are wom58 h9t$ ,k5n$y1 wat*+ ! effect

 ( ! rem>k ke5ly4 ,i h j _h ! pleasure (
 a visit f ,c>ita ,belleville 9 my      
laboratory4  ,inde$8 return$ ,k>at(f1 ) 
difficulty re/ra9+ 8 curiosity4 ,miss   
,belleville has be5 v k9d 9 introduc+ me
 to "s ( h] fri5ds & acqua9tances1 & ,i 
flatt] myself t ,i h be5 able to d !m   
mu* good4  ,!n %e 0 n a pati5t8 pursu$  
,k5n$y1 /udi\sly avoid+ enlight5+       
,k>at(f on ! visit4  ,r a fri5d1 he     
repli$1 quickly4 ,x 0 %e :o introduc$   
,mr4 ,errol4  ,!y are q intimate1 ,i    
believe1 put 9 ,k5n$y at a *ance4       
,really1 ,i knew v little ab\t x1       
,k>at(f avoid$4  ,did %e introduce ,mr4 
,m>*ant8  ,%e introduc$ ,mrs4 ,ga9es1 :o
 introduc$ ,mr4 ,m>*ant1 ! hypnoti/     
repli$1 ) app>5t frankness4  ,y 7 treat+
 ,mrs4 ,ga9es8 ask$ ,craig1 aga9 %ift+ !
 attack unexpect$ly4  ,yes1 admitt$     
,k>at(f1 /opp+4  ,i imag9e h] tr\ble 0 m
 m5tal ?an physical1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y1 9 a 
casual tone1 z ?\gh feel+ 8 way4        
,k>at(f look$ up ke5ly1 b 0 unable to   
read ,k5n$y's face4 ,i ?9k1 he said1    

sl[ly1 t "o tr\ble 0 t ,mrs4 ,ga9es lik$
 ! social life bett] ?an ! simple life4 
,y\r cl9ic1 ,mr4 ,m>*ant1 & ! re/ bett] 
?an h] husb& & ! social life at !       
univ]sity1 amplifi$ ,k5n$y4 ,i ?9k y are
 "r4 ,%e _h drift$ away f h] husb&1 & :5
 a woman does t %e has ho/s ( admir]s--(
 a c]ta9 sort4 ,i %\ld say t ,mr4 ,errol
 0 ! k9d :o w\ld c>e m = ! social life  
?an ! simple life1 z y put x1 too4  ,i  
did n ga!r 9 :at direction ,k5n$y 0     
t5d+1 b x 0 evid5t t ,k>at(f felt m at  
ease4 ,0 x because ! que/ seem$ to be   
lead+ away f himself8  ,i _h notic$     
some?+ ( ! sort1 he v5tur$4 ,i saw t !y 
7 alike 9 t respect1 b1 ( c\rse1 ,mr4   
,m>*ant 0 h] fri5d4  ,sudd5ly !         
implication fla%$ ov] me1 b be=e ,i c\ld
 say any?+ ,k5n$y cut 91 ,!n ,mr4 ,errol
 might h be5 enact+ "u hypnotism :at 7  
really 8 own feel+s & desires8  ,i _c   
say t1 repli$ ,k>at(f1 seek+ to dodge ! 
issue4 ,b "u ! influ5ce ( sugge/ion ,i  
suppose x is true t an evil-m9d$ p]son  
might sugge/ to ano!r ! commission ( a  

crime1 & ! o!r1 depriv$ ( free w1 might 
d x4 ,! rubb] dagg] has (t5 be5 us$ =   
%am murd]s4 ,! possibility ( actual     
murd] _c be d5i$4 ,9 ?is case1 h[ev]1   
!re c be no "q t x 0 an un=tunate       
accid5t4  ,no "q8 dem&$ ,k5n$y1         
directly4  ,if ,k>at(f 0 conceal+ any?+1
 he made good concealm5t4 ,ei!r to      
protect himself or ano!r he %[$ no      
evid5ce ( weak5+ 8 fir/ !ory ( ! case4  
,no "q z f> z ,i "k1 he reit]at$4  ,i   
wond]$ :e!r ,k5n$y plann$ to enlight5   
him on ! results ( 8 laboratory te/s1 b 
0 afraid to look at ei!r = fe> ( betray+
 "s h9t4 ,i 0 glad ,i did n4 ,k5n$y's   
next "q c>ri$ him f> afield f ! subject4
  ,did y "k t ! ,m$ical ,society 7      
int]e/$ 9 y & y\r cl9ic be=e !          
demon/ration be=e ,pr(essor ,ga9es 0    
arrang$8  ,i suspect$ "s "o 0 int]e/$1  
answ]$ ,k>at(f1 quickly1 ,b ,i _h no    
idea :o x might be4 ,z ,i ?9k x ov] n[1 
p]haps x 0 ,pr(essor ,ga9es :o in/igat$ 
! :ole inquiry4 ,he w\ld mo/ likely be  
int]e/$4 ,my "w is s f> 9 advance ( any 

t ! cons]vative psy*ologi/s d t he w\ld 
naturally feel ho/ile1 w\ld he n8       
,especially ) ! add$ p]sonal motive (   
kn[+ t 8 wife 0 "o ( y\r pati5ts1 along 
) ,c>ita ,belleville1 ,m>*ant1 ,errol1 &
 ! re/1 add$ ,k5n$y4  ,k>at(f smil$4 ,i 
w\ld n h said t myself4 ,b s9ce y h said
 x1 ,i _c help admitt+ its tru?4 ,don't 
y suppose ,i c\ld pr$ict ! nature ( any 
report he w\ld make8  ,k>at(f fac$      
,k5n$y squ>ely4 ,!re 0 an air almo/ (   
triumph 9 8 eyes4 ,i ?9k ,i _h bett] say
 no m1 except "u ! advice ( my lawy]1 he
 rem>k$1 f9ally4 ,:5 ! police want me1  
!y c f9d me "h4  ,q evid5t to me n[1 z  
we w5t out ( ! /udio1 0 ! fact t ,k>at(f
 consid]$ himself a m>tyr1 t he 0 n only
 ! victim ( an accid5t1 b ( p]secution z
 well4  ,! fi%+ 0 good1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y1  
t]sely1 z we rea*$ ! /reet4 ,n[ be=e ,i 
see ,errol ,i %\ld l to see ,ga9es aga94
  ,i tri$ to reason x out z we walk$    
along 9 sil5ce4 ,m>*ant _h kn[n ,edi?   
,ga9es intimately4 ,c>ita ,belleville _h
 kn[n ,errol z well4 ,i recall$ ,errol  

hov]+ ab\t ,mrs4 ,ga9es at ! tea & !    
incid5t dur+ ! seance :5 ,c>ita         
,belleville _h betray$ h] annoyance ov] 
"s rem>k by ,errol4 ,! danc+ by ,edi?   
,ga9es _h giv5 a fla% ( ! jeal\s nature 
( ! woman4 ,_h x be5 int]e/ 9 ,errol t  
_h l$ h] to visit ! laboratory8 ,k5n$y 0
 weav+ a web ab\t "s "o1 ,i knew4 ,b    
ab\t :om8  ,z we pass$ a corn]1 he      
paus$1 ent]$ a drug/ore & call$ up      
sev]al numb]s at a pay-/ation telephone 
boo?4 ,!n we turn$ into ! campus &      
proce$$ rapidly t[>d ! laboratory ( !   
psy*ological dep>tm5t4 ,ga9es 0 !re1    
sitt+ at 8 desk1 writ+1 z we ent]$4     
,i'm glad to see y1 he greet$1 lay+ d[n 
8 "w4 ,i am j f9i%+ ! draft ( my report 
on t ,k>at(f affair4 ,i h be5 try+ to   
rea* y by telephone to "k :e!r y w\ld   
add any?+ to x4 ,is !re any?+ new8      
,yes1 return$ ,k5n$y1 !re is some?+ new4
 ,i've j come f ,k>at(f's & on ! way ,i 
decid$ sudd5ly t x 0 "t we did some?+4  
,s ,i h call$ up1 & ! police w br+      
,errol "h1 z well z ,miss ,belleville4  

,k>at(f w come--he won't d>e /ay away2 &
 ,i also took ! lib]ty ( call+ ,mrs4    
,ga9es4  ,to come "h8 repeat$ ,ga9es1 9 
mild surprise4 ,all ( !m8  ,yes4 ,i hope
 y w p>don me = intrud+1 b ,i want to   
borr[ "s ( y\r psy*ological laboratory  
app>atus1 & ,i ?\ght ! easie/ way w\ld  
be to use x "h r ?an take x all ov] to  
my place & set x up aga94  ,i'm sure    
ev]y?+ is at y\r s]vice1 (f]$ ,ga9es4   
,x's a little unexpect$1 b if ! o!rs c  
/& ! *aotic condition ( ! room1 ,i guess
 we c4  ,k5n$y _h be5 runn+ 8 eye ov] ! 
v>i\s in/rum5ts :i* ,ga9es & 8 /ud5ts   
us$ 9 _! /udies1 & 0 n[ exam9+ some?+ 9 
a corn] on a little table4 ,x 0 a       
peculi> affair1 q simple1 b convey+ to  
me no idea ( its use4 ,!re seem$ to be a
 cuff1 a glass *amb] full ( wat] into   
:i* x fitt$1 tubes & wires t atta*$     
v>i\s dials & record+ in/rum5ts to !    
*amb]1 & :at look$ l a *ronograph4  ,t  
is my new ple?ysmograph1 rem>k$ ,ga9es1 
not+ ) "s satisfaction h[ ,k5n$y _h s+l$
 x out4  ,i've he>d ! /ud5ts talk ( x1  

return$ ,k5n$y4 ,x's an improv$         
app>atus1 ,walt]1 t records "o's blood  
fl[4 ,i nodd$ politely & conceal$ my    
ignorance 9 a discreet sil5ce1 hop+ t   
,ga9es w\ld volunt>ily enlight5 u4  ,"o 
( my /ud5ts is prep>+ an exhau/ive      
table1 w5t on ,ga9es1 z ,i _h hop$1 %[+ 
! effects on blood di/ribution ( diff]5t
 /imuli--= in/ance1 cold1 heat1         
*lor(orm1 ar5al91 desire1 disgu/1 fe>2  
physical conditions1 drugs1             
emotions--all sorts ( ?+s c be /udi$ by 
?is ple?ysmograph :i* c be set to record
 blood fl[ ?r\gh ! bra91 ! extremities1 
any "p ( ! body4 ,:5 ! ?+ is *>t$ ,i ?9k
 we %all h op5$ up a new field4         
,c]ta9ly a v promis+ "o = me1 put 9     
,k5n$y4 ,h[ has ?is ma*9e be5 improv$8  
,i've se5 ! old ones1 b ?is is ! fir/ "t
 ,i've se5 ?is4 ,h[ does x "w8  ,well1  
expla9$ ,ga9es1 ) j a t\* ( pride1 y    
see1 = /udy+ blood fl[ 9 ! extremities1 
,i slip ?is cuff ov] my arm1 we'll say4 
,suppose x is ! effect ( pa9 ,i want to 
/udy4 ,j jab t ne$le 9 my o!r arm4      

,don't m9d4 ,x's 9 ! int]e/ ( sci5ce4   
,see1 :5 ,i w9c$ !n1 ! ple?ysmograph    
record$ x4 ,x sm>ts a bit & ,i'm try+ to
 imag9e x sm>ts worse4 ,y'll see h[ pa9 
affects blood fl[4  ,z he wat*$ !       
indicator1 ,k5n$y ask$ "o "q aft] ano!r 
ab\t ! work+ ( ! ma*9e1 & ! mann] 9 :i* 
! mod]n psy*ologi/ 0 /udy+ e emotion4   
,by ! way1 ,walt]1 he int]rupt$1 glanc+ 
at 8 wat*1 call up & see if !y've />t$ )
 ,errol & ! re/ yet4 ,don't /op1 ,ga9es4
 ,i mu/ und]/& ?is ?+ be=e !y get "h4   
,x's j ! ?+ ,i want4  ,i %\ld be glad to
 let y h x1 !n1 repli$ ,ga9es4  ,i ?9k  
,i'll ne$ some?+ new ) ^! p1 w5t on     
,k5n$y4 ,:y1 d y "k :at ,i've discov]$8 
,no1 b ,i hope x's some?+ ,i c add to my
 report8  ,p]haps4 ,we'll see4 ,9 ! fir/
 place1 ,i f\nd t digitalis _h be5 put 9
 ,m>*ant's tea4  ,!y'll be "h directly1 
,i report$ f ! telephone1 hang+ x up &  
jo9+ !m aga94  ,x c\ldn't h be5 an      
accid5t1 z ,k>at(f said1 w5t on ,k5n$y1 
rapidly4 ,! drug increas$ ! blood       
pressure ( ,m>*ant1 :o 0 already suff]+ 

f h>d5+ ( ! art]ies4 ,9 %ort1 x is my   
belief t ! episode ( ! rubb] dagg] 0    
delib]ately plann$1 an elaborate s*eme  
to get ,m>*ant out ( ! way4 ,no "o else 
seems to h notic$ x1 b ^? slips ( pap]  
on :i* we all wrote h disappe>$4 ,at !  
wor/1 x w\ld look l an accid5t1 ,k>at(f 
w\ld be blam$1 &-- ,!re 0 a noise       
outside z ! c> pull$ up4  ,"h1 let me   
take ?is (f be=e any ( !m see x1 :isp]$ 
,ga9es1 remov+ ! cuff1 j z ! door op5$ &
 ,errol & ,k>at(f1 ,c>ita ,belleville & 
,edi? ,ga9es ent]$4  ,be=e ev5 a ^w (   
greet+ pass$1 ,k5n$y /epp$ =w>d4 ,x 0   
,,n an accid5t1 he repeat$4 ,x 0 a      
delib]ately plann$1 app>5tly safe means 
( rev5ge on ,m>*ant1 ! lov] ( ,mrs4     
,ga9es4 ,)\t y\r new ple?ysmograph1     
,ga9es1 y might h ?r[n x on an innoc5t  
p]son6     ,x  ,,! ,,subm>9e ,,m9e      
,"h's ! bullet4 ,:at ,i want y to d1    
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 is to cat* ! crank :o 
fir$ x4  ,capt4 ,lans+ ,m>l[e1 head ( ! 
new ,am]ican ,%ipbuild+ ,tru/1 _h       
summon$ u 9 ha/e to ! ,belleclaire & _h 

met u 9 8 suite ) 8 daught] ,m>jorie4   
,only a glance 0 ne$$ to see t x 0 %e1  
f> m ?an h] fa!r1 :o 0 worri$4  ,y mu/  
cat* him1 %e appeal$4 ,fa!r's life is 9 
dang]4 ,oh1 y simply ,,mu/4  ,i knew    
,capta9 ,m>l[e to be a prov]bial        
fire-eat]1 b 9 ?is case1 at lea/1 he 0  
no al>mi/4 ,=1 on ! table1 z he spoke1  
he laid a real bullet4  ,m>jorie ,m>l[e 
%udd]$ at ! m]e sight ( x & glanc$      
appreh5sively at him z if to reassure   
h]self4 ,%e 0 a tall1 sl5d] girl1       
sc>cely out ( h] te5s1 ^: face 0 "o ( ^?
 q z /rik+ = its "* z its beauty4 ,!    
dea? ( h] "m a few ye>s be=e _h plac$ on
 h] mu* ( ! responsibility ( ! capta9's 
h\sehold & ) x a *>m add$ to y\?4  ,m "u
 ! spell ( h] plea ?an ev5 ,m>l[e's     
vigor\s urg+1 ,k5n$y1 )\t a ^w1 pick$ up
 ! bullet & exam9$ x4 ,x 0 "o ( ! mod]n 
spitz] type1 q %ort1 conical 9 %ape1    
tap]+ gradually1 ) ! c5t] ( gravity back
 ne> ! base4  ,i suppose y "k1 w5t on ! 
capta91 eag]ly1 t our company is gett+  
ready to-morr[ to laun* ! ,usona1 !     

l>ge/ l9] t has ev] be5 built on ?is    
side ( ! wat]--! "n is made up ( !      
initials ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ( ,nor?      
,am]ica4  ,j n[1 he add$1               
en?usia/ically1 is :at ,i call ! gold5  
opportunity = ,am]ican %ipp+4 ,:ile     
,engl& & ,g]many are crippl$1 x's our   
*ance to put ! ,am]ican flag on ! sea z 
x 0 9 ! old days1 & we're go+ to d x4   
,:y1 ! %ipy>ds ( my company are work$   
beyond _! capacity n[4  ,someh[ !       
capta9's en?usiasm 0 contagi\s4 ,i c\ld 
see t 8 daught] felt x1 t %e 0 full (   
fire ov] ! idea4 ,b at ! same "t some?+ 
va/ly m p]sonal weigh$ on h] m9d4  ,b1  
fa!r1 %e int]rupt$1 anxi\sly1 tell !m   
ab\t ! ,,bullet4  ,! capta9 smil$       
indulg5tly z ?\gh he w\ld say t he 0 a  
t\gh old bird to w+4 ,x 0 only a mask to
 hide ! fight+ _s und]nea?4  ,we've _h  
no?+ b tr\ble ev] s9ce we laid ! keel ( 
t %ip1 he cont9u$1 pugnaci\sly1 /rikes1 
a fire 9 ! y>d1 delays1 ab\t ev]y?+ t   
c\ld happ54 ,lately we've notic$ a      
motor-boat hang+ ab\t ! riv]-front ( !  

y>ds4 ,s ,i've _h a boat ( my own       
patroll+ ! riv]4  ,:at sort ( craft is  
?is o!r8 inquir$ ,k5n$y1 int]e/$ at     
once4  ,a v fa/ "o--l ^? express cruis]s
 t we he> s mu* ab\t n[4  ,^: is x8 ,:o 
0 9 x8 ,h y any idea8  ,m>l[e %ook 8    
head d\btfully4 ,no idea4 ,i don't "k :o
 owns ! boat or :o runs x4 ,my m5 tell  
me !y ?9k !y've se5 a woman 9 x         
sometimes1 ?\gh4 ,i've be5 try+ to      
figure x out4 ,:y %\ld x be hang+ ab\t8 
,x c't be spy+4 ,!re isn't any secrecy  
ab\t ! ,usona4 ,:y is x8 ,x's a my/]y4  
,& ! %ot8 prompt$ ,craig1 tapp+ !       
bullet4  ,oh yes1 let me tell y4 ,la/   
night1 ,m>jorie & ,i arriv$ f ,b> ,h>bor
 on my ya*t1 = ! laun*+4 ,x's an*or$ (f 
! y>d n[4 ,well1 e>ly ?is morn+1 :ile x 
0 /ill gray & mi/y1 ,i 0 up4 ,i'll      
confess ,i'm worri$ ov] to-morr[4 ,i    
hadn't be5 able to =get t cruis]4 ,i 0  
out on ! deck1 pe]+ into ! mi/1 :5 ,i'm 
sure ,i saw h]4 ,i 0 j giv+ a signal to 
! boat we h patroll+1 :5 a %ot :i/l$ pa/
 me & ! bullet buri$ itself 9 ! woodwork

 ( ! ma9 saloon back ( me4 ,i dug x out 
( ! wood ) my knife--s y see ,i got x   
almo/ unflatt5$4 ,t's all ,i h got1 too4
 ,! cruis] made a getaway1 clean4  ,i'm 
sure x 0 aim$ at him1 ,m>jorie exclaim$4
 ,i don't ?9k x 0 *ance4 ,don't y see8  
,!y've tri$ ev]y?+ else4 ,n[ if !y c\ld 
get my fa!r1 ! head ( ! company1 t w\ld 
be a bl[ t w\ld cripple ! tru/4  ,m>l[e 
patt$ 8 daught]'s h& reassur+ly & smil$ 
aga91 z ?\gh n to magnify ! incid5t4    
,m>jorie 0 s al>m$1 he confess$1 t no?+ 
w\ld satisfy h] b t ,i %\ld come a%ore &
 /ay "h at ! ,belleclaire1 :]e we always
 put up :5 we are 9 t[n4  ,! telephone  
rang & ,m>jorie answ]$ x4 ,i hope y'll  
p>don me1 %e excus$1 hang+ up ! receiv]4
 ,!y want me v mu* d[n-/airs4 ,!n       
appeal+1 %e add$3 ,i'll h to leave y )  
fa!r4 ,b1 please1 y mu/ cat* t crank :o 
is ?reat5+ him4  ,i %all d my level be/1
 promis$ ,k5n$y4 ,y may dep5d on t4  ,y 
see1 expla9$ ! capta9 z %e left u1 ,i've
 invit$ q a l>ge p>ty to att5d ! laun*+1
 = "o reason or ano!r4 ,m>jorie mu/ play

 ho/ess4 ,!y're mo/ly "h at ! hotel4    
,p]haps y saw "s ( !m z y came 94       
,craig 0 /ill scann+ ! bullet4 ,x looks 
almo/ z if "s "o _h dum-dumm$ x1 he     
rem>k$1 f9ally4 ,x's curi\sly done1 too4
 ,j look at ^? grooves4  ,bo? ! capta9 &
 ,i look$4 ,x _h a h>d jacket (         
cupro-nickel1 l ! army bullet1 cov]+ a  
core ( s(t] metal4 ,"s "o _h not*$ or   
scor$ ! jacket z if ) a %>p knife1 ?\gh 
n completely ?r\gh x4 ,_h x be5 done = !
 purpose ( inflict+ a m frightful w\nd  
if x /ruck ! capta98  ,!re've be5 o!r   
%ots1 too1 w5t on ,m>l[e4 ,"o ( my      
wat*m5 0 w\nd$ ! night be=e4 ,x didn't  
took l a s]i\s w\nd1 9 ! leg4 ,yet !    
poor fell[ seems to be 9 a bad way1 !y  
tell me4  ,h[ is t8 ask$ ,craig1 glanc+ 
up quickly f /udy+ ! bullet4  ,! w\nd   
seems to be all puff$ up1 & v pa9ful4 ,x
 won't heal1 & he seems to be weak &    
fev]i%4 ,:y1 ,i'm afraid ! man w die4   
,i'd l to see t case1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y1    
?\ghtfully4  ,v well4 ,i'll h y driv5 to
 ! hospital :]e we h _h to take him4    

,i'd l to see ! y>ds1 too1 & ! ,usona1  
he add$4  ,all "r4 ,aft] y g to !       
hospital ,i'll meet y at ! y>ds at noon4
 ,n[ if y'll come d[n-/airs ) me1 ,i'll 
get my c> & h y tak5 to ! hospital fir/4
  ,we foll[$ ,m>l[e into ! elevator &   
rode d[n4 ,9 ! l>ge p>lor we saw t      
,m>jorie ,m>l[e _h jo9$ a gr\p ( !      
gue/s1 & ! capta9 turn$ aside to        
introduce u4  ,among !m ,i notic$ a     
/rik+-look+ woman1 some:at old] ?an     
,m>jorie4 ,%e turn$ z we approa*$ &     
greet$ ! capta9 cordially4  ,i'm s glad 
!re 0 no?+ s]i\s ?is morn+1 %e rem>k$1  
ext5d+ h] h& to him4  ,oh1 no?+ at all1 
no?+ at all1 he return$1 hold+ ! h&1 ,i 
?\ght1 j a bit long] ?an 0 necess>y4 ,!n
 he turn$ to u1 ,miss ,alma ,hillman1   
let me pres5t ,pr(essor ,k5n$y & ,mr4   
,jameson4  ,i 0 n s preoccupi$ 9 tak+ 9 
! gr\p t ,i did n notice t ! capta9 0 m 
?an ord9>ily att5tive to h]4 ,nor c ,i  
say t ,i blam$ him1 =1 al?\gh he might  
almo/ h be5 h] fa!r 9 age1 !re 0 a      
fasc9ation ab\t h] t y\? does n (t5     

possess4  ,talk+ ) h] _h be5 a "y man1  
sl5d]1 good-look+1 ) almo/ a milit>y    
be>+4  ,mr4 ,ogilvie ,fitzhugh1         
introduc$ ,m>jorie1 see+ t h] fa!r 0    
neglect+ 8 duties4  ,fitzhugh b[$ & %ook
 h&s1 murmur$ some?+ /]eotyp$1 & turn$  
aga9 to speak to ,m>jorie4  ,i wat*$ !  
"y p closely4 ,if ,capta9 ,m>l[e 0      
int]e/$ 9 ,alma1 x 0 m ?an evid5t t     
,fitzhugh 0 absolutely captivat$ by     
,m>jorie1 & ,i fanci$ t ,m>jorie 0 n    
av]se to him1 = he _h a p]sonality & a  
mann] :i* 7 v pleas+4  ,z ! conv]sation 
ran gaily on to ! laun*+ & ! ga!r+ p>ty 
( notables :o 7 expect$ t night & ! next
 day1 ,i notic$ t a d>k-ey$1 d>k-hair$1 
olive-complexion$ "y man approa*$ & jo9$
 u4  ,doctor ,gavira1 said ,m>l[e1 turn+
 to u1 8 tone indicat+ t he 0 well      
acqua9t$ ab\t ! hotel4 ,he is our h\se  
physician4  ,gavira also 0 welcom$ 9 !  
p>ty1 *att+ ) animation4 ,x 0 app>5t t !
 physician also 0 v popul> ) ! ladies1 &
 x ne$$ only half an eye to disc]n t    
,fitzhugh 0 jeal\s :5 he talk$ to       

,m>jorie1 :ile ,m>l[e b ill conceal$ 8  
re/lessness :5 ,gavira spoke to ,alma4  
,z = ,alma1 %e seem$ to treat all m5    
imp>tially1 except t j n[ x pleas$ h] to
 be/[ ! favor ( h] att5tion on ! capta94
  ,j !n a "y lady1 all 9 :ite1 pass$4   
,pla9ly %e did n belong to ! gr\p1 ?\gh 
%e 0 mu* int]e/$ 9 x4 ,z 8 eye rov$ ov] 
! p>lor1 ,gavira caught h] glance & b[$4
 ,%e return$ x1 b h] look did n l+]4 ,= 
a mom5t %e glanc$ %>ply at ,fitzhugh1   
/ill talk+ to ,m>jorie1 !n at ,m>l[e &  
,alma ,hillman4 ,%e 0 a v pretty girl ) 
eyes t x 0 impossible to control4       
,p]haps !re 0 some:at ( ! flirt 9 h]4 ,x
 0 n t t int]e/$ me4 ,= !re 0 some?+    
almo/ ak9 to jeal\sy 9 ! look %e gave ! 
o!r woman4 ,m>l[e 0 too engross$ to see 
h] & %e pass$ on sl[ly4 ,:at did x mean1
 if any?+8  ,! conv]sation1 z usual at  
su* times1 consi/$ mo/ly ( witticisms1 &
 j at pres5t we _h a r s]i\s bit (      
bus9ess 9 h&4 ,k5n$y did n betray any ( 
! impati5ce t ,i felt1 yet ,i knew he 0 
glad :5 ,m>l[e excus$ himself & we left 

! p>ty & pass$ d[n ! corridor :ile !    
capta9 call$ 8 c>4  ,i don't "k h[ y are
 go+ to get at ?is ?+1 he rem>k$1 paus+ 
aft] he _h s5t a boy = 8 driv]4 ,b ,i'll
 h to rely on y4 ,i've told y all ,i "k4
 ,i'll see y at noon1 at ! y>ds4 ,my man
 w take y !re4  ,z he turn$ & left u ,i 
saw t he 0 go+ 9 ! direction ( !        
b>b]-%op4 ,next to x & 9 connection ) x1
 ?\gh 9 a sep>ate room1 0 a manicure4 ,z
 we pass$ we look$ 94 ,!re1 at !        
manicure's table1 sat ! girl :o _h gone 
by u 9 ! p>lor & _h look$ s %>ply at    
,m>l[e & ,alma4  ,! boy _h told u t ! c>
 0 wait+ at a side entrance1 b ,k5n$y   
seem$ n[ 9 no ha/e to g1 ! m s :5       
,m>l[e1 in/ead ( go+ into ! b>b]-%op1   
app>5tly *ang$ 8 m9d & ent]$ !          
manicure's4 ,craig /opp$ & wat*$4 ,prom 
:]e we 7 we c\ld see ,m>l[e1 ?\gh 8 back
 0 turn$1 & nei!r he nor ! manicure c\ld
 see u4  ,= a mom5t ! capta9 paus$ &    
spoke1 !n sat d[n4 ,q evid5tly he _h a  
ke5 eye = a pretty face & trim figure4  
,nor 0 !re any mi/ak+ ! pa9s :i* !      

manicure took to please h] ri* & eld]ly 
cu/om]4 ,aft] wat*+ !m a mom5t ,k5n$y   
l\ng$ ov] to ! desk 9 ! lobby4  ,:o is !
 little manicure girl8 he ask$4  ,! cl]k
 smil$4 ,seems z if %e 0 a good         
draw+-c>d = ! h\se1 doesn't x8 he       
return$4 ,all ! m5 notice h]4 ,:y1 h] "n
 is ,rae ,melz]4 ,he turn$ to speak to  
ano!r gue/ be=e ,k5n$y c\ld foll[ )     
ano!r inquiry4  ,z we /ood be=e ! desk1 
a po/man1 ) ! p>cel po/1 arriv$4 ,"h's a
 package address$ to ,dr4 ,f]n&o        
,gavira1 he said1 brusquely4 ,x 0 brok5 
9 ! mail4 ,see8  ,k5n$y1 wait+ = ! cl]k 
to be free aga91 glanc$ casually at !   
package at fir/1 !n ) a sudd51 ?\gh     
conceal$1 int]e/4 ,i foll[$ 8 eye4 ,9 ! 
cru%$ box c\ld be se5 "s ?9 brok5 pieces
 ( glass & a wadd+ ( cotton-wool4  ,z ! 
cl]k sign$ = ano!r package ,craig saw a 
*ance1 rea*$ ov] & ab/ract$ two or ?ree 
( ! brok5 pieces ( glass1 !n turn$ ) 8  
back to ! po/man & cl]k & exam9$ !m4    
,"o ,i saw at once _h a rim ar\nd x4 ,x 
0 q app>5tly ! top ( a te/-tube4 ,! o!r1

 to :i* "s cotton-wool /ill adh]$1 0 "p 
( ! r\nd$ b[l4 ,quickly ,craig dropp$ ! 
pieces into "o ( ! hotel envelopes t    
/ood 9 a rack on ! desk1 !n1 *ang+ 8 m9d
 ab\t ask+ m n[ ab\t ! little manicure1 
/rode out ( ! side entrance :]e ,m>l[e's
 c> 0 wait+ = u4  ,hurri$ly we drove    
across t[n to ! ,city ,hospital1 :]e we 
_h no difficulty 9 be+ admitt$ & f9d+1 9
 a w>d1 on a :ite cot1 ! w\nd$ gu>d4    
,?\gh 8 w\nd 0 "o t %\ld n h bo!r$ him  
mu*1 x _h1 z ,m>l[e said1 puff$ up      
angrily & 9 a mo/ peculi> mann]4 ,he 0 9
 great pa9 ) x & 0 pla9ly 9 a bad way4  
,?\gh he que/ion$ ! man1 ,craig did n   
get any?+ out ( him except t ! %ot _h   
come f a cruis] :i* _h be5 hang+ ab\t & 
0 mu* fa/] ?an ! patrol boat4 ,! nurse &
 a "y int]n seem$ incl9$ to be retic5t1 
z ?\gh we might imply t ! mail's        
condition reflect$ on ! c>e he _h       
receiv$1 :i* !y 7 at pa9s to conv9ce u  
_h be5 p]fect4  ,puzzl$ himself1 ,craig 
did n say mu*1 b z he pond]$ ! case1    
%ook 8 head gravely to himself & f9ally 

walk$ out ( ! hospital ab/ract$ly4  ,we 
h almo/ an h\r be=e we are to meet      
,m>l[e at ! y>d1 he consid]$1 z we came 
to ! c>4 ,i ?9k ,i'll g up to !         
laboratory fir/4  ,9 ! quiet ( 8 own    
work%op1 ,k5n$y c>efully exam9$ aga9 !  
peculi> grooves on ! bullet4 ,he 0 ab\t 
to scrape x1 b paus$4 ,in/ead1 he fill$ 
a tube ) a soapy solution1 plac$ !      
bullet 9 x1 & let x /&4 ,next he did !  
same ) ! pieces ( glass f ! envelope4   
,!n he op5$ a draw] & f a numb] (       
capill>y pipettes select$ a pla9        
capill>y tube ( glass4 ,he held x 9 !   
flame ( a burn] until x 0 r$ hot4 ,!n   
c>efully he drew out "o end ( ! tube    
until x 0 hair f9e4 ,aga9 he heat$ ! o!r
 end1 b ?is "t he let ! end alone1      
except t he all[$ x to b5d by gravity1  
!n cool4 ,x n[ _h a siphon curve4 ,ano!r
 tube he treat$ 9 ! same way4  ,by ?is  
"t he 0 ready to proce$ ) :at he _h 9   
m9d4 ,he took a glass slide & on x plac$
 a drop f ea* ( ! tubes conta9+ ! bullet
 & ! glass4 ,t done1 he plac$ ! b5t1    

l>g] end ( ! capill>y tubes 9 turn on   
ea* ( ! drops on ! slide4 ,! liquid     
asc5d$ ! tubes by capill>y attraction & 
siphon$ ov] ! curve1 runn+ z he turn$ ! 
tubes up to ! f9ely po9t$ ends4  ,next 9
 a wat* glass he plac$ "s cau/ic soda & 
9 ano!r "s pyrogallic acid1 f ea* ( :i* 
he took j a drop1 z he _h done be=e1    
incl9+ ! tubes to let ! fluid gravitate 
to ! ?rottle end4 ,f9ally 9 ! flame he  
seal$ bo? ! tip & butt ( ! tubes4       
,!re's a bubble ( air 9 !re1 he rem>k$4 
,! acid & ! soda w absorb ! oxyg5 f x4  
,!n ,i c tell :e!r ,i'm "r4 ,by ! way1  
we'll h to hurry if we're to be on "t to
 meet ,m>l[e 9 ! y>d1 he ann\nc$1 glanc+
 at 8 wat* z he plac$ ! tubes 9 8 little
 electric incubator4  ,we 7 a little    
late z ! *auffeur pull$ 9 at ! executive
 (fices at ! gate ( ! %ipy>d1 & ,m>l[e 0
 wait+ impati5tly = u4 ,evid5tly he     
want$ action1 b ,k5n$y said no?+ yet (  
:at he suspect$ & appe>$ n[ to be       
int]e/$ only 9 ! y>d4  ,x 0 inde$ some?+
 to int]e/ any "o4 ,ev]y:]e 7 tok5s (   

fev]i% activity1 9 (fice1 %op1 & slip4  
,z we pick$ our way across1 little n>r[ 
& big wide gauge eng9es & tra9s :i/l$ & 
/eam$ ab\t4 ,we pass$ roll+-mills1      
=g+-ma*9es1 & giant %e>+-ma*9es1        
furnaces = heat+ ! frames or ribs1 /one 
floors on :i* !y c\ld be pegg$ out & b5t
 to %ape1 places = roll+ & trimm+ !     
plates1 ev]y?+ ne$$ f ! keel plates to !
 deck4  ,9 ! t[]+ sup]/ructure ( !      
build+ slip we at la/ came to ! huge    
/eel mon/] itself1 ! ,usona4 ,z we      
approa*$1 above u rose h] b[1 high] ?an 
a h\se1 ) poppets bo? !re & at ! /]n1 z 
well z brac+ to support h]4 ,all _h be5 
done up to ! laun*+1 ! /em & /]n po/s   
set 9 place1 h] sides fram$ & plat$ up1 
decks laid1 bulkheads & cas+s complet$1 
ev5 mu* ( h] int]nal fitt+ done4        
,ov]head & all ab\t ! huge mon/] 0 a    
fairy network ( /eel1 ! va/ p]man5t     
con/ruction ( columns & ov]head gird]s4 
,susp5d$ b5ea? 0 a s]ies ( tracks c>ry+ 
travel+ & revolv+ cranes capable ( h&l+ 
! heavie/ pieces4 ,we climb$ to ! top & 

look$ d[n at ! va/ /ret* ( hundr$s (    
feet ( deck4 ,x 0 s va/ t x seem$ r ! "w
 ( a sup]man ?an ( ! puny little humans 
work+ on h]4  ,z ,i look$ d[n ! slip :]e
 ! ,usona /ood incl9$ ab\t half an in*  
to ! foot1 ,i appreciat$ z nev] be=e :at
 a task x 0 m]ely to get h] into ! wat]4
  ,bel[ aga91 ,m>l[e expla9$ to u h[ !  
laun*+ ways 7 compos$ ( ! gr\nd ways1   
fa/5$ to ! gr\nd z ! "n impli$1 & !     
slid+ ways t 7 to move ov] !m4 ,! slid+ 
ways1 he said1 7 compos$ ( a l[] c\rse &
 an upp] c\rse1 on :i* re/$ ! cradle1   
fitt+ closely ! side ( ! %ip4  ,to laun*
 h]1 %e mu/ be lift$ slightly by ! slid+
 ways & cradle f ! keel blocks & bilge  
blocks1 & ?is 0 done by oak w$ges1      
hundr$s ( :i* we c\ld see jamm$ betwe5 !
 upp] & l[] c\rses ( slid+ ways4 ,next  
he po9t$ out ! rib-b&s :i* 7 to keep !  
slid+ ways on ! gr\nd ways1 & at ! b[ ! 
po9ts on ei!r side :]e ! slid+ & gr\nd  
ways 7 bolt$ toge!r by two huge timb]s  
kn[n z sole pieces4  ,y see1 he         
conclud$1 x is a gigantic task to lift  

?\s&s ( tons ( /eel & lit]ally c>ry x a 
qu>t] ( a mile to =ty feet ( wat] 9 less
 ?an a m9ute4 ,ev]y?+ has to be         
calculat$ to a nicety4 ,x's a matt] (   
ma!matics--! mom5t ( weight1 ! mom5t (  
buoyancy1 & all t4 ,?is laun*+ app>atus 
is /rong1 b comp>$ to ! weight x has to 
c>ry x is really delicate4 ,:y1 ev5 a   
/ray bolt 9 ! ways w\ld be a s]i\s      
matt]4 ,t's :y we h to h ?is et]nal     
vigilance4  ,z he spoke ) a significant 
look at ,k5n$y1 ,i felt t x 0 no wond] t
 ,m>l[e 0 al>m$ = ! safety ( ! %ip4     
,millions 7 at /ake = j t m9ute (       
laun*+4  ,x 0 all v int]e/+ & we talk$ )
 m5 :om x 0 a pleasure to see h&l+ great
 problems s capably4 ,b none c\ld %$ any
 light on ! problem :i* x 0 ,k5n$y's to 
solve4 ,& yet ,i felt sure1 z ,i wat*$  
,craig1 t unsatisfactory z x appe>$ to  
,m>l[e & to myself1 he 0 sl[ly =m+ "s   
k9d ( !ory1 or at lea/ plan ( action1 9 
8 head4  ,y'll f9d me ei!r "h or at !   
hotel--,i imag9e1 return$ ,m>l[e to     
,k5n$y's inquiry z we p>t$ f him4 ,i've 

in/ruct$ all ! m5 to keep _! eyes op54  
,i hope "s ( u h some?+ to report soon4 
,:e!r or n ! rem>k 0 int5d$ z a h9t to  
,k5n$y1 x 0 unnecess>y4 ,he 0 work+ z   
fa/ & z surely z he c\ld1 go+ ov] 9 h\rs
 :at o!rs _h fail$ to fa?om 9 weeks4    
,late 9 ! aft]noon we got back to !     
laboratory & ,craig began imm$iately by 
tak+ f ! little electric incubator ! two
 crook$ tubes he _h left !re4 ,break+ (f
 ! ends ) tweez]s1 he began exam9+ on   
slides ! two drops t exud$1 us+ 8 mo/   
p[]ful microscope4 ,i 0 =c$ to curb my  
impati5ce z he proce$$ c>efully1 b ,i   
knew t ,craig 0 mak+ sure ( 8 gr\nd at  
ea* /ep4  ,i suppose y're bur/+ )       
curiosity1 he rem>k$ at la/1 look+ up f 
8 exam9ation ( "o ( ! slides4 ,well1 "h 
is a drop t %[s :at 0 9 ! grooves ( t   
bullet4 ,j take a look4  ,i appli$ my   
eye to ! microscope4 ,all ,i c\ld see 0 
"s dots & rods1 sometimes some?+ t look$
 l *a9s ( dots & rods1 ! rods /raight ) 
squ>e ends1 sometimes isolat$1 b m      
usually jo9$ end to end 9 long /r+s4    

,:at is x8 ,i ask$1 n mu* enlight5$ by  
:at he _h p]mitt$ me to see4 ,ana]obic  
bacilli & spores1 he repli$1 excit$ly4  
,! ?+s t produce ! well-kn[n 'gas       
gangr5e' ( ! tr5*es1 ! gas phlegmon     
bacilli--all sorts1 ! bacillus a]og5es  
capsulatus1 bacillus proteus1 pyog5ic   
cocci1 & o!rs1 actively gas-=m+ microbes
 t c't live 9 air4 ,! me?od ,i took to  
develop & discov] !m 0 t ( ,col4 ,sir   
,almro? ,wright ( ! ,briti% army m$ical 
corps4  ,& t is :at 0 on ! bullet8 ,i   
qu]i$4  ,! spores or se$s1 he repli$4 ,9
 ! tubes1 by exclud+ ! air1 ,i h        
develop$ ! bacilli4 ,:y1 ,walt]1 he w5t 
on1 s]i\sly1 ^? are among ! microbes mo/
 dread$ 9 ! infection ( w\nds4 ,! spores
 live 9 ! e>?1 x has be5 discov]$1      
especially 9 cultivat$ soil1 & !y are   
extraord9>ily long-liv$1 ly+ dormant =  
ye>s1 wait+ = a *ance to develop4 ,^!   
rods y saw are only f five to fifte5    
?\s&?s ( a millimet] long & n m ?an     
"o-?\s&? ( a millimet] broad4  ,y c't   
see !m move "h1 because ! air has       

p>alyz$ !m4 ,b ^! vibrios move among !  
corpuscles ( ! blood j z a snake moves  
?r\gh ! grass1 to quote ,pa/eur4 ,if ,i 
color$ !m y w\ld see t ea* is cov]$ )   
f9e vibrat+ hairs ?ree or f\r times z   
long z itself4 ,at c]ta9 times an oval  
mass =ms 9 !m4 ,t is ! spore :i* lives s
 long & is s h>d to kill4 ,x 0 ! spores 
t 7 on ! bullet4 ,!y resi/ any          
temp]ature except comp>atively high &   
prolong$1 & ev5 resi/ antiseptics = a   
long "t4 ,on ! surface ( a w\nd !y ar5't
 s bad2 b deep 9 !y di/il m9ute gas     
bubbles1 puff up ! surr\nd+ tissues1 &  
are almo/ impossible to combat4  ,z he  
expla9$ :at he _h f\nd1 ,i c\ld only />e
 at him :ile ! diabolical nature ( !    
attack impress$ itself on my m9d4 ,"s "o
 _h tri$ to murd] ,m>l[e 9 ?is mo/      
hide\s way4 ,no ne$ to be an accurate   
m>ksman :5 a m]e scrat* f su* a bullet  
meant ultimate dea? anyh[4  ,:y _h x be5
 done & :]e _h ! cultures come f8 ,i    
ask$ myself4 ,i realiz$ fully !         
difficulty ( try+ to trace !m4 ,any "o  

c\ld pur*ase g]ms1 ,i knew4 ,!re 0 no   
law gov]n+ ! sale4  ,craig 0 at "w aga9 
ov] 8 microscope4 ,aga9 he look$ up at  
me4 ,"h on ?is o!r film ,i f9d ! same   
sort ( wisp-l ana]obes1 he ann\nc$4 ,!re
 0 ! same ?+ on ^? pieces ( glass t ,i  
got4  ,9 my horror at ! discov]y1 ,i _h 
=gott5 ! brok5 package t _h come to !   
hotel desk :ile we /ood !re4  ,!n x 0   
,gavira :o 0 receiv+ spores & cultures (
 ! ana]obes6 ,i exclaim$1 excit$ly4  ,b 
t doesn't prove t x 0 he :o us$ !m1     
caution$ ,craig1 add+1 n yet1 at lea/4  
,important z ! discov]ies 7 :i* he _h   
made1 ,i 0 n mu* f>!r along 9 fix+ !    
guilt ( anybody 9 p>ticul> 9 ! case4    
,k5n$y1 h[ev]1 did n seem to be p]turb$1
 ?\gh ,i wond]$ :at !ory he c\ld h work$
 out4  ,i ?9k ! be/ ?+ = u to d w be to 
run ov] to ! ,belleclaire1 he decid$ z  
he d(f$ 8 laboratory coat & c>efully    
cleans$ 8 h&s 9 an antiseptic almo/     
boil+ hot4 ,i %\ld l to see ,m>l[e aga91
 &1 besides1 !re we c wat* "s ( ^! p    
ar\nd him4  ,:om he meant o!r ?an       

,gavira ,i _h no idea1 b ,i felt sure t 
) ! laun*+ n[ only a matt] ( h\rs some?+
 0 b\nd to happ5 soon4  ,m>l[e 0 out :5 
we arriv$2 9 fact1 _h n yet return$ f ! 
y>d4 ,nor _h _m ( ! gue/s rema9$ at !   
hotel dur+ ! day4 ,mo/ ( !m _h be5 out  
sightsee+1 ?\gh n[ !y 7 return+1 & z !y 
began to ga!r 9 ! hotel p>lor ,m>jorie 0
 aga9 call$ on to put !m at _! ease4    
,fitzhugh _h return$ & _h wa/$ no "t    
dress+ & gett+ d[n-/airs aga9 to be ne> 
,m>jorie4 ,gavira also appe>$1 hav+ be5 
out on a case4  ,i wi% y w\ld call up ! 
%ipy>d1 ,walt]1 ask$ ,k5n$y1 z we /ood 9
 ! lobby1 :]e we c\ld see be/ :at 0 go+ 
on4 ,tell him ,i w\ld l to see him v    
urg5tly4  ,i f\nd ! numb] & ent]$ a     
boo?1 b1 z (t5 happ5s1 ! telephone      
c5tral 0 ov]:elm$ by ! ru% ( e>ly-ev5+  
calls1 & aft] wait+ "s "t ! only        
satisfaction ,i got 0 t ! l9e 0 busy4   
,mean:ile ,i decid$ to /ick ab\t ! boo? 
s t ,i c\ld get ! y>d z soon z possible4
 ,f :]e ,i /ood ,i c\ld see t ,k5n$y 0  
closely wat*+ ! little manicure1 ,rae   

,melz]4 ,a mom5t lat] ,i saw ,alma      
,hillman come out ( ! manicure %op1 &   
be=e any "o else c\ld get 9 to          
monopolize ! fasc9at+ little manicure ,i
 saw ,craig saunt] ov] & ent]4  ,i 0 s  
int]e/$ 9 :at he 0 do+ t = ! mom5t ,i   
=got ab\t my call & f\nd myself         
unconsci\sly mov+ ov] 9 t direction1    
too4 ,z ,i look$ 9 ,i saw t he 0 seat$  
at ! little :ite table1 9 mu* ! same    
position z ,m>l[e _h be51 deeply 9      
conv]sation ) ! girl1 ?\gh ( c\rse ,i   
c\ld n make out :at !y 7 talk+ ab\t4    
,once %e turn$ to rea* some?+ on a %elf 
back ( h]4 ,quick z a fla% ,k5n$y       
ab/ract$ a c\ple ( ! ne>e/ implem5ts1 "o
 be+ a nail file & ! o!r1 ,i ?9k1 a     
bru%4 ,a mom5t lat] %e resum$ h] "w1    
,k5n$y /ill talk+ & jok+ ) h]1 ?\gh     
furtively obs]v+4  ,:]e is my nail      
file--& bru%8 ,i c\ld imag9e h] say+1 z 
%e hunt$ = !m 9 pretty confusion1 aid$  
by ,k5n$y :o1 :5 he want$ to1 c\ld act !
 ,fitzhugh & ,gavira z well z !y4 ,!    
implem5ts 7 n to be f\nd & f a draw] %e 

took ano!r set4  ,j !n ,gavira pass$ on 
8 way to 8 (fice 9 ! front ( ! build+1  
saw me1 & smil$4 ,k5n$y's cut y out1 he 
laugh$1 cat*+ a glimpse ?r\gh ! door4   
,nev] m9d4 ,i us$ to ?9k ,i _h "s       
influ5ce !re myself--till ! capta9 came 
along4 ,i tell y ^! old/]s c give u     
po9ts4  ,i laugh$1 too1 & jo9$ him d[n !
 hall1 n because ,i c>$ :at he ?\ght1 b 
because 8 pres5ce _h rem9d$ me ( my     
orig9al mission to call up ,m>l[e4      
,h[ev]1 ,i decid$ to po/pone call+ ano!r
 mom5t & take advantage ( ! *ance to    
talk to ! h\se physician4  ,yes1 ,i     
agre$1 z long z he _h op5$ ! subject4 ,i
 fancy ! capta9 likes "y p4 ,he seems to
 enjoy be+ ) !m--,miss ,hillman1 =      
in/ance4  ,gavira %ot a sidelong glance 
at me4 ,! ,belleclaire's a dang]\s place
 = a weal?y wid[]1 he return$4 ,i _h "s 
hopes 9 t direction myself--9 spite (   
,fitzhugh--b ! capta9 seems to leave u  
all at ! po/4 ,/ill1 ,i suppose ,i may  
/ill be a bro!r to h]--& physician4 ,s1 
,i %\ld worry4  ,! impression ,i got (  

,gavira 0 t he enjoy$ 8 fre$om too mu*  
ev] to fall 9 love1 ?\gh an intimacy n[ 
& !n ) a clev] girl l ,alma ,hillman 0 a
 welcome div]sion4  ,i'm sorry ,i %a'n't
 be able to be ) y until late to-night1 
he said1 z he paus$ at 8 (fice door4    
,i'm 9 ! m$ical corps ( ! ,gu>d & ,i    
promis$ to lecture to-night on gun%ot   
w\nds4 ,"s ( my mat]ial got sma%$ up1 b 
,i h my lant]n slides1 anyh[4 ,i'll try 
to see y all lat]1 ?\gh4  ,0 t a clev]  
attempt at confession & avoidance on 8  
"p8 ,i wond]$4 ,b1 !n1 ,i reflect$ he   
c\ld n possibly "k t we knew he _h      
ana]obic microbes & spores 9 8          
possession4 ,i _h cle>$ up no?+ & ,i    
ha/5$ to call up ! %ipy>d1 sure t ! l9e 
c\ld n be busy /ill4  ,:atev] x 0 t 0 ! 
matt]1 c5tral seem$ unable to get me my 
numb]4 ,in/ead1 ,i f\nd myself cut "r   
into a conv]sation t did n conc]n me1   
evid5tly ! fault ( ! hotel swit*bo>d    
op]ator4 ,i 0 ab\t to prote/ :5 ! words 
,i he>d /opp$ me 9 surprise4 ,a man & a 
woman 7 talk+1 ?\gh ,i c\ld n recognize 

! voices & no names 7 us$4  ,i tell y ,i
 won't be a p>ty to t laun*+ s*eme1 ,i  
he>d ! man's voice4 ,i wa% my h&s ( x4  
,i told y t all along4  ,!n y're go+ to 
des]t u8 came back ! woman's voice1 r   
t>tly4 ,x's = t girl4 ,well1 y'll regret
 x4 ,i'll turn ! :ole organization on   
y--,i w--y--y-- ,! voices trail$ (f1 &1 
try z ,i c\ld to get ! op]ator to f9d   
out :o x 01 ,i c\ld n4  ,:o 0 x8 ,:at   
did x mean8  ,k5n$y _h f9i%$ ) !        
manicure "s "t be=e & 0 wait+ = me      
impati5tly4  ,i hav5't be5 able to get  
,m>l[e1 ,i ha/5$1 b ,i've _h an e>ful4  
,he li/5$ ke5ly z ,i told him :at ,i _h 
he>d1 add+ also ! acc\nt ( my enc\nt] ) 
,gavira4  ,x's j z ,i ?\ght--,i'll wag]1
 he mutt]$1 excit$ly1 "u 8 brea?1 tak+ a
 hurri$ turn d[n ! corridor1 8 face     
deeply wr9kl$4  ,well6 ,any?+ new8 ,i   
expect$ to he> f y1 b hav5't1 boom$ !   
deep voice ( ,m>l[e1 :o _h j come 9 f an
 entrance 9 ano!r direction f t :i* we 7
 pac+4 ,no clue yet to my crank8  ,)\t a
 ^w1 ,k5n$y drew ,m>l[e aside into a    

little des]t$ alcove4 ,m>l[e foll[$1    
puzzl$ at ! air ( my/]y4  ,alone1 ,craig
 lean$ ov] t[>d him4 ,x's no crank1 he  
:isp]$1 9 a l[ tone4 ,m>l[e1 ,i am      
conv9c$ t !re is a conc]t$ ef=t to      
de/roy y\r plans = ,am]ican comm]ce     
build+4 ,!re isn't ! slighte/ d\bt 9 my 
m9d t x is m s]i\s ?an y ?9k--p]haps a  
p[]ful gr\p ( ,european /eam%ip m5      
oppos$ to y4 ,x is economic w>6 ,y "k !y
 h ?reat5$ x at meet+s report$ 9 ! press
 all along4 ,well1 x's "h6  ,half d\bt+1
 half conv9c$1 ,m>l[e drew back4 ,"o    
aft] ano!r he %ot a rapid fire (        
que/ions4 ,:o1 !n1 0 _! ag5t :o _h fir$ 
! %ot8 ,:o 0 x :o _h des]t$1 z ,i _h    
he>d ov] ! wire8 ,above all1 :at 0 x !y 
_h plann$ = ! laun*+8 ,! deep] he got ! 
m ! beads ( p]spiration came out on 8   
sunburnt =ehead4 ,! laun*+ 0 only       
eighte5 h\rs (f1 too1 & t5 ( !m 7       
d>kness4 ,:at c\ld be done8  ,k5n$y's   
m9d 0 work+ rapidly 9 ! crisis z ,m>l[e 
appeal$ to him1 almo/ helplessly4  ,may 
,i h y\r c> to-night8 ask$ ,craig1      

paus+4  ,h x8 ,i'll give x to y if x'll 
d any good4  ,i'll ne$ x only a few     
h\rs4 ,i ?9k ,i h a s*eme t w "w        
p]fectly--if y are sure y c gu>d !      
inside ( ! y>d to-morr[4  ,i'm sure ( t4
 ,we sp5t h\rs to-day select+ pick$ m5 =
 ! laun*+1 go+ ov] ev]y?+4  ,late z x 0 
to />t out ( t[n1 ,craig drove across ! 
bridge & out on ,long ,isl&1 nev] /opp+ 
until we came to a small lake1 ar\nd !  
%ores ( :i* he skirt$1 at la/ paus+ be=e
 a huge b>n-l /ructure4  ,z ! door swung
 op5 to 8 honk+ ! horn1 ! light :i*     
/ream$ =? %one on a sign above1 ,sprague
 ,aviation ,s*ool4 ,inside ,i c\ld make 
out en\gh to be sure t x 0 an a]oplane  
hang>4  ,hello1 ,sprague6 call$ ,k5n$y1 
z a man appe>$ 9 ! light4  ,! man came  
clos]4 ,:y1 hello1 ,k5n$y6 ,:at br+s y  
out "h at su* an h\r8  ,craig _h jump$ f
 ! c>1 & toge!r ! two w5t into ! hang>1 
:ile ,i foll[$4 ,!y talk$ 9 l[ tones1 b 
z ne>ly z ,i c\ld make out ,k5n$y 0 hir+
 a hydro-a]oplane = to-morr[ ) z mu*    
non*alance z if x _h be5 a taxicab4  ,z 

,k5n$y & 8 acqua9tance1 ,sprague1 came  
to t]ms1 my eye fell on a peculi> gun   
set up 9 a corn]4 ,x _h a trem5d\s      
cyl9d] ab\t ! b>rel1 z ?\gh x conta9$ "s
 device to cool x4 ,x 0 n a ma*9e-gun ( 
! type ,i _h se51 h[ev]1 yet c>tridges  
seem$ to be f$ to x f a disk on :i* !y 7
 arrang$ radially r ?an f a b&4 ,k5n$y  
_h ris5 to g & look$ ab\t at me4  ,oh1 a
 ,lewis gun6 he exclaim$1 see+ :at ,i 0 
look+ at4 ,t's an idea4 ,sprague1 c y   
m\nt t on ! plane8  ,sprague nodd$4 ,t's
 :at ,i h x "h =1 he return$4 ,i've be5 
te/+ x4 ,:y1 d y want x8  ,inde$ ,i d6  
,i'll be out "h e>ly 9 ! morn+1         
,sprague4  ,i'll be ready = y1 sir1     
promis$ ! aviator4  ,spe$+ back to !    
city1 ,k5n$y laid out an ext5sive       
program = me to foll[ on ! morr[4       
,toge!r we arrang$ an elaborate s]ies ( 
signals1 & t night1 late z x 01 ,craig  
return$ to ! laboratory1 :]e he cont9u$ 
8 /udies ) ! microscope1 ?\gh :at m he  
expect$ to discov] ,i did n "k4  ,9     
spite ( 8 late h\rs1 x 0 ,craig :o wak5$

 me 9 ! morn+1 already prep>$ to motor  
out to ! aviation s*ool to meet         
,sprague4 ,ha/ily he rehe>s$ our        
signals1 :i* consi/$ mo/ly ( dots &     
da%es 9 ! ,morse code :i* ,craig 0 to   
convey ) a flag & ,i to receive ) ! aid 
( a p[]ful glass4  ,i mu/ admit t ,i    
felt some:at lo/ :51 lat] 9 ! morn+1 ,i 
took my place alone on ! plat=m t _h be5
 built = ! favor$ few ( ! laun*+ p>ty at
 ! b[ ( ! huge ,usona1 )\t ,craig4      
,already1 h[ev]1 he _h communicat$ at   
lea/ a "p ( 8 plan to ,m>l[e1 & ! capta9
 & ,m>jorie 7 among ! fir/ to arrive4   
,m>jorie nev] look$ pretti] 9 h] life   
?an %e did n[1 on ! day :5 %e 0 to *ri/5
 ! great l9]1 nor1 ,i imag9e1 _h !      
capta9 ev] be5 m pr\d ( h]4  ,!y _h     
sc>cely greet$ me :5 we he>d a %\t f !  
m5 d[n at ! end ( ! slip t comm&$ a fre]
 view ( ! riv]4 ,we cran$ our necks & 9 
a mom5t saw :at x 04 ,!y _h sight$ !    
air-boat com+ d[n ! riv]4  ,i turn$ !   
glass on ! me*anical bird z x so>$      
clos]4 ,already ,k5n$y _h made u on !   

plat=m & _h begun to signal z a te/4 ,at
 lea/ a "p ( ! susp5se 0 ov] = me :5 ,i 
discov]$ t ,i c\ld read :at he s5t4  ,s 
fix$ _h my att5tion be5 t ,i _h n notic$
 t sl[ly ! memb]s ( ! elect laun*+ p>ty 
_h arriv$1 :ile o!r ?\s&s ( ! less      
favor$ cr[d$ into ! spaces set ap>t =   
!m4 ,on ! /& n[ ) u 7 ,fitzhugh & ,miss 
,hillman1 :ile1 betwe5 glances at       
,k5n$y1 ,i notic$ little ,rae ,melz] ov]
 at ! "r1 & ,doctor ,gavira1 q 9 8      
elem5t1 circulat+ ab\t f "o gr\p to     
ano!r4  ,e "o seem$ to feel t ?rill t   
comes ) a laun*+1 ! appreciation t !re  
is a maximum ( risk 9 a m9imum ( "t4    
,d[n ! slip ! m5 7 driv+ home ! la/ ( ! 
huge oak w$ges :i* lift$ ! great ,usona 
f ! blocks & transf]r$ h] weight to !   
laun*+ ways z a new support4 ,all along 
! /ation>y1 or gr\nd1 ways & ^? :i* 7 to
 glide into ! wat] ) ! cradle & ! %ip1  
tru/$ m5 7 mak+ ! f9al exam9ation to be 
z sure z human c>e c be t all 0 well4   
,z ! clock ne>$ noon1 :i* 0 high wat]1  
approximately1 all ! prep>atory "w 0    

done4 ,only ! sole pieces be=e u held ! 
%ip 9 place4 ,x 0 z ?\gh all bridges _h 
be5 burn$4  ,high ov]head n[ float$ !   
hydro-a]oplane1 on :i* ,i kept my eye   
fix$ almo/ hypnotically4 ,!re 0 /ill no 
signal f ,k5n$y1 h[ev]4 ,:at 0 x he 0   
aft]8 ,did he expect to see ! fa/       
express cruis]1 lurk+ l a corsair ab\t !
 isl&s ( ! riv]8 ,if s1 he gave no sign4
  ,m5 7 quitt+ n[ ! "w ( giv+ ! la/     
t\*es to ! prep>ations4 ,"s 7 plac+     
imm5se jack-screws :i* 7 to give an     
initial impulse if x 7 ne$$ to />t ! %ip
 d[n ! ways4 ,o!rs 7 sme>+ ! la/ heavy  
dabs ( tall[1 l>d oil1 & s(t soap on !  
ways1 & graphite :]e ! ways /ret*$ two  
hundr$ feet or s out into ! wat]1 = !   
%ip 0 to travel "s hundr$s ( feet on !  
l& & 9 ! wat]1 & p]haps an equal di/ance
 out beyond ! end ( ! ways4  ,late com]s
 /ill cr[d$ 94 ,m5 n[ report$ t ev]y?+ 0
 ready4 ,/eadily ! "t ( high wat]       
approa*$4  ,saw ! sole pieces6 f9ally   
rang out ! ord]4  ,t 0 a ?+ t mu/ be    
done by two gangs1 "o on ea* side1 &    

ev5ly1 too4 ,if "o gang got ahead ( !   
o!r1 !y mu/ /op & let ! second cat* up4 
,zip--zip--zip1 came ! %rill s++ tone ( 
! saws4  ,0 ev]y?+ all "r8 ,k5n$y &     
,sprague 7 /ill circl+ ov]head1 at v>i\s
 altitudes4 ,i r$\bl$ my att5tion at !  
glass4  ,sudd5ly ,i saw ,craig's flag   
wav+ frantically4 ,a muffl$ exclamation 
came f my lips involunt>ily4 ,m>l[e1 :o 
_h be5 wat*+ me1 lean$ clos]4  ,:at is  
x--= ,god's sake8 he :isp]$1 ho>sely4   
,/op !m6 ,i %\t$ z ,i caught ,k5n$y's   
signal4 ,at a hurri$ ord] f ,m>l[e !    
gangs quit4 ,a hu% fell ov] ! cr[d4     
,k5n$y 0 circl+ d[n n[ until at la/ !   
air-boat re/$ on ! wat] & skimm$ along  
t[>d ! ways4  ,out on ! ways1 z f> z !y 
7 n yet subm]g$1 "s m5 ran1 z if to meet
 him1 b ,k5n$y began signal+ frantically
 aga94 ,?\gh ,i _h n be5 expect+ x1 ,i  
made x out4  ,he wants !m to keep back1 
,i call$1 & ! ^w 0 pass$ d[n ! l5g? ( ! 
%ip4  ,in/ead ( com+ to re/ be=e ! slip1
 ! plane turn$ & w5t away1 mak+ a       
complete circle1 !n com+ to re/4 ,to !  

surprise ( e "o1 ! rapid /accato b>k ( !
 ,lewis gun broke ! sil5ce4 ,k5n$y 0    
evid5tly fir+1 b at :at8 ,!re 0 no?+ 9  
sight4  ,sudd5ly !re came a trem5d\s    
detonation1 :i* made ev5 ! laun*+-slip  
tremble1 & a huge column ( wat]1 l a    
geys]1 rose 9 ! air ab\t eight hundr$   
feet out 9 ! riv]1 directly 9 front ( u4
  ,! tru? fla%$ ov] u 9 an in/ant4 ,!re1
 t5 feet or s 9 ! d>k wat] out 9 ! riv]1
 ,craig _h se5 a huge circul> object1   
visible only aga9/ a s&y bottom f !     
hydro-a]oplane above1 z ! sun-rays 7    
reflect$ ?r\gh ! wat]4 ,x 0 a contact   
subm>9e m9e4  ,m>l[e look$ at me1 8 face
 almo/ pale4 ,! mom5t ! great hulk ( !  
,usona 9 its wild flight to ! sea w\ld h
 hit t m9e1 tilt+ x1 %e w\ld h sunk 9 a 
bla/ ( flame4  ,! air-boat n[ head$ = ! 
%ore1 & a few mom5ts lat]1 z ,craig     
climb$ into our /&1 ,m>l[e seiz$ him 9  
congratulation too deep = words4  ,is x 
all "r8 sang out "o ( ! m5 9 ! gangs1   
less impressionable ?an ! re/4  ,if !re 
is /ill wat] en\gh1 nodd$ ,craig4  ,aga9

 ! ord] to saw away ! sole pieces 0     
giv51 & ! gangs resum$4 ,zip--zip1 aga9 
w5t ! two saws4  ,!re 7 p]haps two in*es
 m left1 :5 ! hull quiv]$4 ,!re 0 a     
cra%+ & r5d+ z ! timb]s broke away4     
,m>jorie ,m>l[e1 al]t1 swung ! bottle ( 
*ampagne 9 its silk5 net on a silk5 cord
 & x cra%$ on ! b[ z %e cri$1 gleefully1
 ,i *ri/5 !e ,usona6  ,d[n ! %ip slid1 )
 a sl[1 glid+ motion at fir/1 rapidly   
ga!r+ headway4 ,z h] /]n sank & f9ally !
 b[ dipp$ into ! wat]1 *e]s broke =?4   
,!n a cl\d ( smoke hid h]4 ,!re 0 an    
om9\s sil5ce4 ,0 %e wreck$1 at la/1 aft]
 all8 ,a puff ( w9d cle>$ ! smoke4  ,j !
 friction ( ! ways--set ! grease on     
fire1 %\t$ ,m>l[e4 ,x always does t4    
,w$ges1 slid+ ways1 & o!r p>ts ( !      
cradle float$ to ! surface4 ,! tide took
 h] & tugs crept up & pull$ h] to !     
place select$ = tempor>y moor+4 ,a spla%
 ( a huge an*or1 & !re %e rode--safe6   
,9 ! revulsion ( feel+1 e eye on !      
plat=m turn$ involunt>ily to ,k5n$y4    
,m>l[e1 /ill hold+ 8 h&1 0 spee*less4   

,m>jorie lean$ =w>d1 almo/ hy/]ical4  ,j
 a mom5t1 call$ ,craig1 z "s turn$ to g 
d[n4 ,!re is j "o ?+ m4  ,!re 0 a hu% z 
! cr[d press$ close4  ,!re's a          
conspiracy "h1 rang out ,craig's voice1 
boldly1 a =eign trade w>4 ,f ! />t ,i   
suspect$ some?+ & ,i tri$ to reason x   
out4 ,hav+ fail$ to /op ! "w1 fail$ to  
kill ,m>l[e--:at 0 left8 ,:y1 ! laun*+4 
,h[8 ,i knew ( t motor-boat4 ,:at else  
c\ld !y d ) x8 ,i ?\ght ( rec5t te/s t h
 be5 made ) express cruis]s z           
m9e-plant]s4 ,c\ld t be ! s*eme8 ,!     
air-boat s*eme occurr$ to me late la/   
night4 ,x at lea/ 0 wor? try+4 ,y see   
:at has happ5$4 ,n[ = ! reckon+4 ,:o 0  
_! ag5t8 ,i h some?+ "h t w int]e/ y4   
,k5n$y 0 speak+ rapidly4 ,x 0 "o ( ^?   
occasions 9 :i* ,k5n$y's s\l delight$4  
,quickly he drew a deft contra/ betwe5 !
 inf9itely l>ge hulk ( ! ,usona z comp>$
 to ! inf9itely small bact]ia :i* he _h 
be5 /udy+ ! day be=e4 ,sudd5ly he drew  
=? f 8 pocket ! bullet t _h be5 fir$ at 
,m>l[e1 !n1 to ! surprise ( ev5 myself1 

he quietly laid a delicate little nail  
file & bru% 9 ! palm ( 8 h& beside !    
bullet4  ,a suppress$ cry f ,rae ,melz] 
caus$ me to recollect ! file & bru% %e  
_h miss$4  ,j a second1 rac$ on ,k5n$y4 
,on ?is file & bru% ,i f\nd spores ( ^? 
deadly ana]obes--dead1 kill$ by heat &  
an antiseptic1 p]haps a "o-p]-c5t4      
solution ( c>bolic acid at blood heat1  
n9ety-eight degrees--dead1 b nev]!less  
!re4 ,i suppose ! microscopic exam9ation
 ( f+]-nail deposits is too m9ute a ?+  
to appeal to mo/ p4 ,b x has be5        
practically appli$ 9 a numb] ( crim9al  
cases 9 ,europe4 ,ord9>y wa%+ & ev5     
clean+ doesn't alt] microscope f9d+s4 ,9
 ?is case ?is trifl+ clue is all t leads
 to ! real bra9 ( ?is plot1 lit]ally to 
! h& t direct$ x4 ,he paus$ a mom5t4    
,ye/]day ,i f\nd t ana]obe cultures 7   
be+ receiv$ by "s "o 9 ! ,belleclaire1  
&--  ,!y 7 /ol5 f me4 ,"s "o mu/ h got  
into my (fice1 :]e ,i 0 /udy+ !m4       
,doctor ,gavira _h press$ =w>d e>ne/ly1 
b ,craig did n pause aga94  ,:o 7 ^!    

ag5ts s5t ov] to wage ?is secret w> at  
any co/8 he repeat$4 ,"o ( !m1 ,i "k n[1
 fell 9 love ) ! daught] ( ! man aga9/  
:om he 0 to plot4 ,m>jorie ca/ a furtive
 glance at ,fitzhugh4  ,love has sav$   
him4 ,b ! o!r8 ,to :om d ^! deadly g]ms 
po9t8 ,:o dum-dumm$ & poison$ ! bullet8 
,^: own f+]s1 9 spite ( antiseptics &   
manicures1 po9t inexorably to a guilty  
self8  ,rae ,melz] c\ld re/ra9 h]self no
 long]4 ,%e 0 look+ at ! file & bru%1 z 
if ) a hide\s fasc9ation4 ,!y are m9e--y
 took !m1 %e cri$1 impulsively4 ,x 0    
%e--always hav+ h] nails manicur$--%e :o
 _h be5 !re j be=e--%e--,alma ,hillman6 
,,xi  ,,! ,,gun-,,runn]   ,) ! treaty   
ratifi$1 if ! deal goes ?r\gh we'll all 
be ri*4  ,some?+ ab\t ! rem>k :i* rose  
ov] ! babel ( voices arre/$ ,k5n$y's    
att5tion4 ,= "o ?+1 x 0 a woman's voice1
 & x 0 n ! sort ( rem>k to be expect$ f 
a woman1 at lea/ n 9 su* a place4       
,craig _h be5 work+ pretty h>d & began  
to %[ ! /ra94 ,we _h tak5 an ev5+ (f &  
n[ _h dropp$ 9 aft] ! !at] at !         

,burridge1 "o ( ! mo/ frequ5t$ midnight 
resorts on ,broadway4  ,at ! table next 
to u--& ! tables at ! ,burridge 7 s     
close t "o almo/ rubb$ elb[s ) ^? at !  
next--sat a p>ty ( f\r1 two ladies 9    
ev5+ g[ns & two m5 9 immaculate black & 
:ite4  ,i hope y are "r1 ,leont9e1      
return$ "o ( ! m51 ) an ,engli% acc5t4  
,! natural place = ! isl&s is "u !      
,am]ican flag1 anyway4  ,yes1 put 9 !   
o!r2 ! p h vot$ = x be=e4 ,!y want x4   
,x 0 at ! "t t ! ,am]ican & ,dani%      
gov]nm5ts 7 negotiat+ ab\t ! transf] ( !
 ,dani% ,we/ ,indies1 & q evid5tly !y 7 
discuss+ ! isl&s4 ,! la/ speak] seem$ to
 be a ,dane1 b ! woman ) him1 evid5tly 8
 wife1 0 n4 ,x 0 a curi\s gr\p1 wor? m  
?an a pass+ glance4 ,= a mom5t ,craig   
wat*$ !m closely4  ,t woman 9 blue1 he  
:isp]$1 is a typical promot]4  ,i       
recogniz$ ! type :i* is becom+          
increas+ly frequ5t 9 ,wall ,/reet z !   
competition 9 f9ancial affairs gr[s ke5]
 & wom5 ent] bus9ess & pr(essional life4
  ,!re 7 pl5ty ( o!r types 9 !          

brilliantly light$ d9+-room1 & we did n 
dwell long on ! /udy ( our neighbors4 ,a
 few mom5ts lat] ,k5n$y left me & 0     
visit+ ano!r table4 ,x 0 a habit ( 81 = 
he _h hundr$s ( fri5ds & acqua9tances1 &
 ! ,burridge 0 ! place to :i* e "o came4
  ,?is "t ,i saw t he _h /opp$ be=e "s  
"o :om ,i recogniz$4 ,x 0 ,capta9 ,m>l[e
 ( ! ,am]ican ,%ipp+ ,tru/1 to :om      
,k5n$y _h be5 ( great assi/ance at ! "t 
( ! laun*+ ( 8 great %ip1 ! ,usona4     
,m>l[e's daught] ,m>jorie 0 n ) him1    
hav+ n yet return$ f h] honeymoon trip1 
& he 0 accompani$ by a man ^: face 0    
unfamili> to me4  ,z ,i recogniz$ :o x 0
 to :om ,k5n$y 0 speak+1 ,i also rose & 
made my way ov] to ! table4 ,z ,i       
approa*$1 ! capta9 turn$ f ,k5n$y &     
greet$ me cordially4  ,mr4 ,:itson1 he  
introduc$ ! man ) him4 ,mr4 ,:itson is  
sail+ to-morr[ = ,/4 ,?omas on !        
,arroyo4 ,we're prep>+ to ext5d our     
/eam%ip l9es to ! isl&s z soon z !      
=malities ( ! pur*ase are complet$4     
,m>l[e turn$ aga9 to ,k5n$y & w5t on ) !

 rem>k he _h evid5tly be5 mak+4  ,(     
c\rse1 ,i he>d him say1 y "k we h       
,mexico practically blockad$ z f> z arms
 & munitions g4 ,yet1 ,k5n$y1 ?r\gh a   
secret *annel ,i "k t ?\s&s ( /&s ( arms
 & millions ( r\nds ( ammunition are    
filt]+ 9 !re4 ,x's %ameful4 ,i c't      
imag9e any?+ m traitor\s4 ,:oev] is at !
 bottom ( x ought to sw+4 ,x isn't ov] !
 bord] t !y are go+4 ,we "k t4 ,! troops
 are !re4 ,h[ is x1 !n8  ,m>l[e look$ at
 u z if he expect$ ,k5n$y to cat* "s "o 
by pure reason4 ,k5n$y said no?+1 b x 0 
n because he 0 n int]e/$4  ,?9k x ov]1  
pursu$ ,m>l[e1 :o 0 a patriot above     
ev]y?+ else4 ,p]haps x w occur to y h[ y
 c be ( ! greate/ s]vice to ! c\ntry4 ,!
 ?+ is damnable--damnable4  ,nei!r      
,k5n$y nor ,i hav+ any?+ def9ite to     
contribute to ! subject1 ! conv]sation  
drift$ to ! isl&s & ,:itson's mission4  
,:itson prov$ to be v en?usia/ic ab\t x4
 ,he knew ! isl&s well & _h already made
 a trip !re = ,m>l[e4  ,a few mom5ts    
lat] we %ook h&s & return$ to our own   

table4 ,x 0 gett+ late & ! only type t 0
 left to /udy 0 ! common ,broadway      
midnight-life g5us4 ,we paid our *eck & 
7 ab\t to leave4 ,= an in/ant we /opp$  
at ! coat-room to wat* ! late arrivals &
 ! dep>t+ ?rong4  ,hello6 greet$ a      
famili> voice beside u4 ,i've be5 look+ 
all ov] t[n = y4 ,!y told me y _h gone  
to ! !at] & ,i ?\ght ,i might possibly  
f9d y "h4  ,we turn$4 ,x 0 our old fri5d
 ,burke1 ( ! ,secret ,s]vice1 accompani$
 by a /rang]4  ,i'd l y to meet ,mr4    
,sydney1 ! new special consul> ag5t :om 
! gov]nm5t is s5d+ to ! ,dani% ,we/     
,indies to inve/igate & report on trade 
conditions1 he introduc$4 ,we're (f =   
,/4 ,?omas on ! ,arroyo1 :i* sails      
to-morr[ noon4  ,great ,scott6 ejaculat$
 ,k5n$y4 ,is ev]ybody daffy ov] ^?      
little isl&s8 ,:at takes y d[n !re1     
,burke8 ,burke look$ ab\t ha/ily1 !n    
drew u aside into a recess 9 ! lobby4   
,i don't suppose y "k1 he expla9$1 l[]+ 
8 voice1 b s9ce ^! negotiations began1 !
 consul> s]vice has be5 ke5ly int]e/$ 9 

! pres5t /ate & ! possibilities ( !     
isl&s4 ,! gov]nm5t s5t "o special ag5t  
!re1 nam$ ,dwight4 ,well1 he di$ a few  
days ago4 ,x 0 v suspici\s1 s mu* s t ! 
au?orities 9 ! isl& inve/igat$4 ,yet !  
doctors 9 ! isl& h f\nd no evid5ce (    
any?+ wrong1 no poison4 ,/ill1 x is v   
my/]i\s--&1 y "k1 he h9t$1 !re are ^? :o
 don't want u d[n !re4  ,! ,secret      
,s]vice man paus$ z ?\gh he _h put !    
case z briefly & po9t$ly z he c\ld1 !n  
w5t on3 ,i've be5 assign$ to accompany !
 new consul d[n !re & inve/igate4 ,i've 
no p>ticul> ord]s & ! *ief w honor any  
reasonable exp5se acc\nt--b-- ,he       
hesitat$ & /opp$1 look+ ke5ly at        
,k5n$y's face4 ,i saw :at he 0 driv+ at4
  ,well--to come to ! po9t--:at ,i want$
 to see y ab\t1 ,k5n$y1 is to f9d out   
:e!r y w\ld g ) me4 ,i ?9k1 he add$1    
p]suasively1 x w\ld be q wor? y\r :ile4 
,besides1 y look tir$4 ,y're work+ too  
h>d4 ,! *ange w d y good4 ,& y\r        
consci5ce ne$n't tr\ble y4 ,y'll be     
work+1 all "r4  ,burke _h be5 quick to  

note ! hagg>d expression on ,k5n$y's    
face & turn x into an argum5t to c>ry 8 
po9t4 ,k5n$y smil$ z he read ! o!r's    
en?usiasm4 ,i w\ld h add$ my own urg+1  
only ,i knew t no?+ b a s5se ( duty w\ld
 weigh ) ,craig4  ,i'd l to ?9k !       
proposal ov]1 he conc$$1 mu* to my      
surprise4 ,i'll let y "k 9 ! morn+4     
,m9d1 :e$l$ ,burke1 ,i won't take no =  
an answ]4 ,we ne$ y4  ,! ,secret ,s]vice
 man 0 evid5tly delight$ by ! reception 
,k5n$y _h giv5 8 s*eme4  ,j !n ,i caught
 sight ( ! p>ty ( f\r gett+ _! hats &   
wraps prep>atory to leav+1 & ,k5n$y ey$ 
!m %>ply4  ,m>l[e & ,:itson pass$4 ,z !y
 did s ,i c\ld n help see+ ,:itson pause
 & %oot a quick glance at ! f\r4 ,x 0 a 
glance ( suspicion & x 0 n lo/ on       
,craig4 ,did !y "k m ( ?is ,mexican     
gun-runn+ bus9ess ?an ,m>l[e _h h9t$ at8
 ,i wat*$ ,k5n$y's face4 ,evid5tly 8 m9d
 0 at "w on ! same idea z m9e4  ,burke  
accompani$ u almo/ all ! way home1 )    
,sydney add+ 8 urg+4 ,i c\ld tell t !   
:ole comb9ation ( circum/ances at !     

,burridge _h _h an effect on ,k5n$y4  ,i
 w5t to b$1 tir$1 b ?r\gh ! night ,i    
knew ,craig 0 engag$ on "s "w ab\t :i*  
he seem$ to be some:at secretive4 ,:5 ,i
 saw him aga9 9 ! laboratory1 9 ! morn+1
 he _h be=e him a l>ge pack+-case ( /\t 
wood b\nd ) /eel b&s4  ,:at's t8 ,i     
ask$1 my/ifi$4 ,he op5$ ! lid1 a sort ( 
door1 on :i* 0 a /rong lock1 & ,i look$ 
inside4  ,my travel+ laboratory1 he     
rem>k$1 ) pride4  ,i pe]$ 9 m closely4  
,x 0 a well-/ock$ armam5t>ium1 z !      
doctors w\ld h call$ x4 ,i %all n make  
any attempt to describe its cont5ts4 ,!y
 7 too v>i$ & too num]\s1 a little bit (
 ev]y?+1 x seem$4 ,9 fact1 ,craig seem$ 
to h epitomiz$ ! sci5ces & arts4 ,x 0 n 
t he _h any?+ s wond]ful1 or ev5        
comp>able to ! collection ( 8           
laboratory4 ,b z ,i ran my eye ov] ! box
 ,i w\ld h wag]$ t f ! cont5ts he might 
h made %ift to duplicate 9 "s make%ift  
=m almo/ any?+ t he might ne$4 ,x 0     
truly amaz+1 repres5t+ 9 m9iature 8 /udy
 ( crime = ye>s4  ,!n y are go+ ) ,burke

 to ,/4 ,?omas8 ,i qu]i$1 realiz+ !     
significance ( x4  ,k5n$y nodd$4 ,i've  
be5 ?9k+ ( :at ,i w\ld d if an important
 case ev] call$ me away4 ,burke's       
proposal hurri$ me1 t's all4 ,& y are   
go+1 also1 he add$4 ,y h until noon to  
break ! news to ! ,/>4  ,i did n say    
any?+ m1 fe>ful le/ he might *ange 8    
m9d4 ,i knew he ne$$ ! re/1 & t no matt]
 :at ! case 0 9 ! isl&s he c\ld n "w z  
h>d z he 0 do+ 9 ,new ,york4  ,accord+ly
 my own arrangem5ts ) ! ,/> 7 easily    
made4 ,i _h a sort ( rov+ commission1   
anyh[1 s9ce my close association )      
,k5n$y4 ,moreov]1 ! possibility ( turn+ 
up some?+ good 9 ! isl&s1 :i* 7 mu* 9 ! 
news at ! "t1 r appeal$ to ! manag+     
editor4 ,if ,k5n$y c\ld arrange 8       
affairs1 ,i felt t ! lea/ ,i c\ld d 0 to
 arrange my own4  ,?us x came ab\t t    
,craig & ,i f\nd ourselves 9 ! =5oon 9 a
 taxicab1 on ! front ( :i* 0 load$ !    
preci\s box z well z our o!r ha/ily     
pack$ luggage1 & we 7 on our way ov] to 
,brooklyn to ! dock f :i* ! ,arroyo     

sail$4  ,already ! cle>ance pap]s _h be5
 obta9$1 & !re 0 ! usual la/-mom5t      
confusion among ! pass5g]s z ! h\r =    
sail+ approa*$4 ,x seem$ z if we _h     
sc>cely bo>d$ ! %ip :5 ,k5n$y 0 z gay z 
a s*ool-boy on an unexpect$ holiday4 ,i 
realiz$ at once :at 0 ! cause4 ,! *ange 
( sc5e1 ! m]e fact ( cutt+ loose1 7 hav+
 _! effect4  ,z we /eam$ sl[ly d[n !    
bay1 ,i ran my eye ov] ! o!r pass5g]s at
 ! rail1 /ra9+ _! eyes to cat* ! la/    
glimpse ( ! t[]s ( ,new ,york4 ,!re 7   
,burke & ,sydney1 b !y 7 n toge!r1 &1 to
 all appe>ances1 did n "k ea* o!r4      
,sydney1 ( c\rse1 c\ld n conceal 8      
id5tity1 nor did he wi% to1 no matt] h[ 
beset ) unse5 p]ils might be 8 mission4 
,b ,burke 0 d[n on ! pass5g]-li/ z1 & _h
 assum$ ! role (1 a travel+ salesman = a
 my?ical novelty-h\se 9 ,*icago4 ,t     
evid5tly 0 "p ( ! plan !y _h agre$ on   
betwe5 !mselves4 ,k5n$y took ! cue4  ,z 
,i /udi$ ! v>i\s gr\ps1 ,i paus$        
sudd5ly1 surpris$4 ,!re 0 ! p>ty :i* _h 
sat at ! table next to u at ! ,burridge 

! night be=e4 ,k5n$y _h already se5 !m &
 _h be5 wat*+ !m furtively4  ,j !n      
,craig jogg$ my elb[4 ,he _h caught     
sight ( ,:itson edg+ 8 way 9 our        
direction4 ,i saw :at x 0 t ,craig      
meant4 ,he want$ purposely to avoid him4
 ,i wond]$ :y1 b soon ,i saw :at he 0 up
 to4 ,he want$ introductions to come    
ab\t naturally1 z !y d on %ipbo>d if "o 
only waits4  ,on deck & 9 ! l\ng+ &     
smok+ rooms x did n take long = him to  
contrive ways ( meet+ & gett+ acqua9t$ )
 ^? he wi%$ to "k1 )\t excit+ suspicion4
 ,?us1 by ! "t we sat d[n to d9n] 9 !   
saloon we 7 all gett+ fairly *ummy4  ,we
 _h met ,burke q z naturally z if we 7  
total /rang]s4 ,x 0 easy to make x appe>
 t ,:itson & ,sydney 7 %ipbo>d          
acqua9tances4 ,nor 0 x difficult to     
secure an introduction to ! o!r p>ty (  
f\r4 ,! girl :om we _h he>d address$ z  
,leont9e seem$ to be ! lead] ( ! gr\p4  
,leont9e ,c[ell 0 a /rik+ p]sonality4   
,h] cle> blue eyes direct$ a gaze at "o 
:i* te/$ "o's mettle to meet4 ,i 0 nev] 

q sure :e!r %e rememb]$ see+ u at !     
,burridge1 :e!r %e p5etrat$ ! p>ts we 7 
play+4 ,%e 0 none ! less fem99e because 
%e _h aspirations 9 a comm]cial way4 ,z 
,k5n$y _h fir/ obs]v$1 %e 0 well wor?   
/udy4  ,h] companion1 ,b>rett ,burleigh1
 0 a poli%$1 def]5tial ,engli%man1 "o ( 
^? :o seem to be citiz5s ( ! _w r ?an   
subjects ( any p>ticul> c\ntry4 ,i      
wond]$ :at 7 ! real relations ( ! two4  
,jorg5 ,erickson 01 z ,i _h surmis$1 a  
,dane4 ,he prov$ to be "o ( ! l>ge/     
plant]s 9 ! isl&1 already weal?y & de/9$
 to be weal?i] if real e/ate advanc$4 ,!
 o!r woman1 ,nanette1 0 8 wife4 ,%e 0   
also a peculi>ly int]e/+ type1 a        
,fr5*woman f ,guadel\pe4 ,y\ng] & m     
vivaci\s ?an h] husb&1 h] snappy black  
eyes betok5$ an attractive p]sonality4  
,leont9e ,c[ell1 x seem$1 _h be5 9 !    
isl&s n long be=e1 _h secur$ options on 
"s score ( plantations at a l[ figure1 &
 made no secret ( h] bus9ess4 ,:5 !     
,am]ican flag at la/ flew ov] ! isl&s %e
 /ood to w9 out ( ! increase ( l& values

 a consid]able =tune4  ,erickson also1 9
 addition to 8 own hold+s1 _h be5 an    
ag5t = "s o!r plant]s & ?us _h met      
,leont9e1 :o _h be5 ! means ( int]e/+ "s
 ,am]ican capital4  ,z = ,burleigh1 x   
seem$ t he _h made ! acqua9tance (      
,leont9e 9 ,wall ,/reet4 ,he _h be5 9 ! 
,c>ibbean & ! imp5d+ *anges 9 ! ,dani%  
,we/ ,indies _h attract$ 8 notice4 ,:e!r
 he _h "s money to inve/ 9 ! speculation
 or hop$ to pr(it by commissions d]iv$ f
 sales did n appe>4 ,b at any rate "s   
common bond _h ?r[n ! qu>tet toge!r4  ,i
 ne$ n dwell on ! little incid5ts ( life
 on %ip4 ,x mu/ h be5 ! second day out t
 ,i obs]v$ ,leont9e & ,sydney toge!r on 
! prom5ade-deck4 ,!y seem$ to be q      
int]e/$ 9 ea* o!r1 ?\gh ,i felt sure t  
,leont9e 0 mak+ a play = him4 ,at any   
rate1 ,burleigh 0 jeal\s4 ,:atev] might 
be ! s*eme1 x 0 app>5t t ! "y ,engli%man
 0 head ov] heels 9 love ) h]4  ,:at did
 x mean8 ,0 %e play+ ) ,sydney1 seek+ to
 secure 8 influ5ce to fur!r h] s*emes8  
,or did x mask "s deep]1 m s9i/] motive8

 ,f :at ,i _h se5 ( ,sydney1 ,i c\ld n  
?9k t he 0 ! man to take su* an affair  
s]i\sly4 ,i felt t he mu/ be m]ely amus+
 himself4  ,busy ) my speculations1 ,i 0
 a/oni%$ soon aft] to realize t !       
triangle _h become a hexagon1 s to      
speak4 ,:itson & ,nanette ,erickson     
seem$ to be mu* 9 ea* o!r's company4 ,b1
 unlike ,burleigh1 ,erickson seem$ to be
 ei!r oblivi\s or complac5t4  ,:atev] x 
might all port5d1 ,i f\nd t x did n     
worry ,k5n$y1 al?\gh he obs]v$ closely4 
,burke1 h[ev]1 0 consid]ably excit$ &   
ev5 w5t s f> z to speak to ,sydney1 ov] 
:om he felt a sort ( gu>dian%ip4 ,sydney
 turn$ ! matt] (f lightly4 ,z = me1 ,i  
det]m9$ to wat* bo? ( ^! wom5 closely4  
,k5n$y sp5t mu* "t n only 9 wat*+ !     
pass5g]s1 b 9 go+ ab\t ! %ip1 talk+ to !
 capta9 & crew & e "o :o knew any?+ ab\t
 ! isl&s4 ,9 fact1 he collect$ en\gh    
in=mation 9 a few days to h satisfi$ any
 ord9>y t\ri/ = weeks4  ,ev5 ! c>go did 
n escape 8 att5tion1 & ,i f\nd t he 0   
especially int]e/$ 9 ! r heavy %ipm5ts (

 agricultural implem5ts t 7 consign$ to 
v>i\s plant]s 9 ! isl&s4 ,s great 0 8   
int]e/ t ,i began to suspect t x _h "s  
be>+ on ! gun-runn+ plot t _h be5 h9t$  
at by ,m>l[e4  ,x 0 ! ev5+ aft] "o (    
,k5n$y's busy days sc\t+ ab\t t he      
quietly summon$ bo? ,burke & ,sydney to 
our cab94  ,!re's some?+ que] go+ on1   
ann\nc$ ,craig1 :5 he 0 sure t we 7 all 
toge!r )\t hav+ be5 obs]v$4 ,frankly1 ,i
 mu/ confess t ,i don't und]/& x--yet4  
,y ne$n't worry ab\t me1 int]rupt$      
,sydney1 ha/ily4 ,i c take c>e ( myself4
  ,k5n$y smil$ quietly4 ,we knew :at    
,sydney meant4 ,he seem$ to res5t       
,burke's solicitude ov] 8 acqua9tance ) 
,leont9e & 0 evid5tly w>n+ u (f4 ,k5n$y1
 h[ev]1 avoid$ ! subject4  ,i may z well
 tell y1 he resum$1 t ,i 0 q z mu*      
influ5c$ by a rumor t arms 7 someh[     
gett+ into ,mexican ports z ,i 0 by y\r 
appeal1 ,burke1 9 com+ d[n "h4 ,s f>    
,i've f\nd no?+ t proves my case4 ,b1 z 
,i said1 !re is some?+ "u ! surface :i* 
,i don't und]/&4 ,we h all got to /ick  

toge!r1 tru/ no "o b ourselves1 &1 above
 all1 keep our eyes op54  ,x 0 all t 0  
said1 b ,i 0 reliev$ to note t ,sydney  
seem$ greatly impress$4 ,/ill1 half an  
h\r lat]1 ,i saw him sitt+ 9 a          
/eam]-*air beside ,leont9e aga91 wat*+ !
 beautiful play ( ! moonlight on ! n[   
almo/ tropical ocean aft] we _h em]g$ f 
! ,gulf ,/ream4 ,i felt t x 0 r dang]\s1
 b at lea/ he _h _h 8 w>n+4  ,seek+     
,k5n$y1 ,i f\nd him at la/ 9 !          
smok+-room1 to my surprise talk+ )      
,erickson4 ,i jo9$ !m1 wond]+ h[ ,i 0 to
 convey to ,craig :at ,i _h j se5 )\t   
excit+ suspicion4 ,!y 7 discuss+ !      
comm]cial & agricultural future ( !     
isl&s "u ! ,am]ican flag1 especially !  
sug> indu/ry1 :i* _h fall5 into a l[    
e/ate4  ,i suppose1 rem>k$ ,k5n$y1      
casually1 t y are already mod]niz+ y\r  
plant & t o!rs are do+ ! same1 gett+    
ready = a revival4  ,erickson receiv$ ! 
rem>k /olidly4 ,no1 he repli$1 sl[ly4   
,"s ( u may be do+ s1 b z = me1 ,i %all 
be q cont5t to sell if ,i c get my      

price4  ,! plant]s are n putt+ 9 mod]n  
ma*9]y1 !n8 qu]i$ ,k5n$y1 innoc5tly1    
:ile !re fla%$ ov] me :at he _h discov]$
 ab\t %ipm5ts ( agricultural implem5ts4 
,erickson %ook 8 head4 ,"s ( !m may be4 
,b = "o t is1 ,i "k tw5ty ^: only ?\ght 
is to sell out & take a pr(it4  ,!      
conv]sation trail$ (f on o!r subjects & 
,i knew t ,k5n$y _h acquir$ ! in=mation 
:i* he s\ght4 ,z neatly z ,i c\ld ,i    
drew him ap>t f ,erickson4  ,/range he  
%\ld tell me t1 rum9at$ ,k5n$y z we ga9$
 a quiet corn] ( ! deck4 ,i "k t !re is 
a lot ( /uff consign$ to plant]s 9 !    
isl&1 "s ev5 to himself4  ,he mu/ be    
ly+1 !n1 ,i ha/5$4 ,p]haps ^! promot]s  
are really plott]s4 ,by ! way1 :at ,i   
want$ to tell y 0 t ,i saw ,sydney &    
,leont9e toge!r aga94  ,he 0 ab\t to    
reply :5 ! s\nd ( "s "o approa*+ caus$ u
 to draw back f>!r into ! %ad[4 ,x prov$
 to be ,:itson & ,nanette4  ,!n y d n l 
,/4 ,?omas8 we he>d ,:itson rem>k1 z if 
he 7 repeat+ some?+ %e _h j said4  ,!re 
is no?+ !re1 %e repli$4 ,:y1 !re ar5't a

 hundr$ miles ( good roads & n a doz5   
automobiles4  ,evid5tly ! swiftness (   
life 9 ,new ,york ( :i* %e _h ta/$ 0    
hav+ its effect4  ,/4 ,croix1 :]e we h !
 plantation1 is j z bad4 ,"p ( ! "t we  
live !re1 "p ( ! "t at ,*>lotte ,amalie 
9 ,/4 ,?omas4 ,b !re is little diff]5ce4
 ,i hope ,jorg5 is able to sell4 ,at    
lea/ ,i %\ld l to live a "p ( ! ye> 9 ! 
,/ates4  ,w\ld he l t1 too8  ,_m ( u    
w\ld1 %e repli$1 quickly4 ,= _m ye>s ?+s
 h be5 gett+ worse ) u4 ,j n[ x seems a 
bit bett] because ( ! high price ( sug>4
 ,b :o kn[s h[ long t w la/8 ,oh1 ,i wi%
 some?+ w\ld happ5 soon s t we might    
make en\gh money to live z ,i want to   
live4 ,?9k2 "h ! be/ ye>s ( life are    
slipp+ away4 ,unless we d some?+ soon1 x
 w be too late6 ,we mu/ make our money  
soon4  ,!re 0 an air ( impati5ce 9 h]   
tone1 ( re/less dissatisfaction4 ,i felt
 also t !re 0 an elem5t ( dang]1 too1 9 
a woman j pass+ f y\? mak+ a confidant (
 ano!r man4  ,x 0 a mix$ situation ) !  
qu>tet :om we 7 wat*+4 ,"o ?+ 0         

suffici5tly evid5t4 ,!y 7 all desp]ately
 engag$ 9 ! pursuit ( weal?4 ,t 0 a     
common bond4 ,nor _h ,i se5 any?+ to    
indicate t !y 7 ov]-scrupul\s 9 t       
pursuit4 ,)9 half an h\r ,i _h se5      
,leont9e ) ,sydney & ,nanette ) ,:itson4
 ,bo? ,sydney z consul> ag5t & ,:itson  
?r\gh 8 influ5ce ) ! %ipp+ tru/ possess$
 great influ5ce4 ,_h ! p>ty ?\ght x out 
& 7 !y n[ play+ ! game ) ! ma9 *ance 9  
view8  ,i look$ inquir+ly at ,k5n$y z ! 
voices di$ away :ile ! c\ple walk$ sl[ly
 d[n ! deck4 ,he said no?+1 b he 0      
evid5tly pond]+ deeply on "s problem1   
p]haps t :i* ! tr5d ( affairs _h rais$ 9
 my own m9d4  ,our delay _h n be5 long1 
b x _h be5 suffici5t to cause u to miss 
f9d+ ,leont9e & ,sydney4 ,we did1 h[ev]1
 run across ,burke1 b5t evid5tly on     
wat*+1 also4  ,i don't l ?is bus9ess1 he
 confess$1 z we paus$ to comp>e         
exp]i5ces4 ,i've be5 ?9k+ ( t ,mexican  
bus9ess y h9t$ at1 ,k5n$y4 ,y "k ! isl&s
 w\ld be an ideal out-(-!-way spot f :i*
 to />t gun-runn+ exp$itions to ,mexico4

 ,i don't l ?is ,leont9e & ,burleigh4   
,!y want to make money too bad4  ,k5n$y 
smil$4 ,burleigh doesn't seem to approve
 ( ev]y?+1 ?\gh1 he rem>k$4  ,p]haps n4 
,t's "o reason :y ,i ?9k x may be m     
dang]\s = ,sydney ?an he realizes4 ,i "k
 %e's a fasc9at+ girl4 ,all ! m reason  
to wat* out = h]4 ,b ,i c't talk to     
,sydney1 he sigh$4  ,x 0 an enigma & ,i 
_h n solv$ x1 ?\gh ,i felt mu* z ,burke 
did4 ,k5n$y seem$ to h det]m9$ to all[  
ev5ts to take _! c\rse1 p]haps 9 ! hope 
t developm5ts w\ld be quick] t way ?an  
by int]f]+ ) some?+ :i* we did n und]/&4
  ,9 ! smok+-room1 aft] we left ,burke1 
,k5n$y & ,i came ^u ,erickson &         
,burleigh4 ,!y _h j f9i%$ a game ( pok] 
) "s ( ! o!r pass5g]s1 9 :i* ,burleigh's
 usual run ( luck & skill _h be5 ) him4 
,lucky at c>ds1 unlucky 9 love1 rem>k$  
,burleigh z we approa*$4  ,he said x )  
an air ( bant]1 yet ,i c\ld n help feel+
 t !re 0 a note ( s]i\sness at ! bottom 
( x4 ,_h he kn[n t ,leont9e _h be5 )    
,sydney on ! deck8 ,8 v success at pok] 

_h its effect on me4 ,i f\nd myself ey+ 
him z if he _h be5 "o ( ! transatlantic 
c>d %>ps1 p]haps an int]national crook4 
,yet :5 ,i consid]$ ,i 0 =c$ to admit t 
,i _h no?+ on :i* to base su* a judgm5t4
  ,erickson pres5t$ a diff]5t problem1  
to my m9d1 ,!re 0 inde$ some?+ que] ab\t
 him4 ,ei!r he _h n be5 p]fectly frank )
 u 9 reg>d to ! improvem5t ( 8 prop]ties
 or he 0 conceal+ some?+ mu* m s9i/]4   
,aga9 & aga9 my m9d rev]t$ to ! h9ts t  
_h be5 dropp$ by ,m>l[e1 & ,i recall$ ! 
close scrut9y ,:itson _h giv5 ! f\r t   
night4 ,s f>1 ,i _h felt t 9 any su*    
attempt we might c\nt on ,:itson play+ a
 lone h& & p]haps f9d+ out some?+ to our
 advantage4  ,x 0 ! morn+ ( ! la/ day ( 
! voyage t mo/ ( ! pass5g]s ga!r$ on !  
deck = ! fir/ glimpse ( ! l& to :i* we  
_h be5 j\rney+4  ,be=e u lay ! beautiful
 & picturesque h>bor & t[n ( ,*>lotte   
,amalie1 "o ( ! f9e/ h>bors 9 ! ,we/    
,indies1 deep en\gh to float ! l>ge/    
vessels1 ) %ipy>ds1 dry-docks1 & repair 
%ops4 ,f ! deck x 0 a /rik+ly beautiful 

picture1 =m$ by ?ree spurs ( m\nta9s    
cov]$ ) ! gre5e/ ( tropical foliage4 ,f 
! edge ( ! danc+ blue waves ! t[n itself
 rose on ! hills1 pres5t+ an entranc+   
panorama4  ,all 0 bu/le & excitem5t z ! 
an*or plung$ into ! wat]1 = n only 0 ?is
 ! end ( our j\rney1 b ! arrival ( !    
boat f ,new ,york 0 an ev5t = ! t[n4    
,!re 0 mu* to wat*1 b ,i let no?+       
int]f]e ) my obs]vation ( h[ ! affair   
betwe5 ,sydney & ,leont9e 0 progress+4  
,to my surprise1 ,i saw t ?is morn+ %e 0
 be/[+ ! favor ( h] smile r on          
,burleigh4 ,x 0 ,sydney's turn n[ to    
feel ! pangs ( jeal\sy1 & ,i mu/ admit t
 he bore !m ) bett] grace ?an ,burleigh1
 :atev] t might indicate4  ,z ,i wat*$ !
 two & recall$ _! intimacy at !         
,burridge ! fir/ night we _h se5 !m1 ,i 
almo/ began to wond] :e!r ,i might n h  
be5 wrong ab\t ,leont9e4 ,_h x be5 t ,i 
_h di/ru/$ ! woman m]ely because ,i 0   
suspici\s ( ! type1 bo? male & female8  
,_h ,i be5 f9d+ food = suspicion because
 ,i 0 myself suspici\s8  ,erickson 0 /&+

 beside ,sydney1 :ile we 7 n f> away4   
,evid5tly he _h be5 sav+ up a spee* = ! 
occasion & n[ 0 prep>$ to deliv] x4     
,mr4 ,sydney1 he began1 ) a wave ( 8 arm
 t seem$ to include u all1 x is a       
pleasure to welcome y "h to our isl&4   
,la/ night x occurr$ to me t we ought to
 d some?+ to %[ t we appreciate x4 ,y   
mu/ come to d9n] to-night at my villa "h
 9 ! t[n4 ,y are all invit$1 all ( u :o 
h become s enjoyably acqua9t$ on ?is    
voyage :i* ,i %all nev] =get4 ,believe  
me :5 ,i say t x w be ev5 m a tribute to
 y p]sonally ?an because ( ! (ficial    
position y are to hold among u4  ,x 0 a 
graceful invitation1 m s ?an ,i _h      
believ$ ,erickson capable ( fram+4      
,sydney c\ld d no?+ less ?an ?ank him   
cordially & accept1 z we all did4       
,inde$1 ,i c\ld see t ,k5n$y 0 delight$ 
at ! sugge/ion4 ,x w\ld give him an     
opportunity to obs]ve !m all "u         
circum/ances diff]5t en\gh to %[ some?+4
  ,:ile we 7 ?ank+ ,erickson1 ,i saw t  
,:itson _h tak5 ! occasion also to ?ank 

,mrs4 ,erickson1 ) :om he _h be5 talk+1 
j a bit ap>t f ! gr\p4 ,he made no      
secret ( 8 att5tions1 ?\gh ,i ?\ght %e 0
 a bit emb>rass$ by !m at su* a "t4     
,inde$1 %e />t$ r abruptly t[>d ! gr\p  
:i* 0 n[ int5t on survey+ ! t[n1 & z %e 
did s1 ,i not$ t %e _h =gott5 h] h&-bag1
 :i* lay on a deck-*air ne> :]e !y _h   
be5 sitt+4  ,i pick$ x up to re/ore x4  
,"s uncontrollable curiosity prompt$ me 
& ,i hesitat$4 ,all 7 /ill look+ at !   
t[n4 ,i op5$ ! bag4 ,inside 0 a little  
bottle ( grayi% liquid4 ,:at %\ld ,i d8 
,any mom5t %e or ,:itson might turn     
ar\nd4 ,ha/ily ,i pull$ (f ! cap ( my   
f\nta9-p5 & p\r$ into x "s ( ! liquid1  
replac+ ! cork 9 ! bottle & dropp+ x    
back into ! bag1 :ile ,i dispos$ ( ! cap
 z be/ ,i c\ld )\t spill+ its cont5ts4  
,:e!r ei!r %e or any "o else _h obs]v$  
me1 ,i 0 n go+ to run any *ances ( be+  
se54 ,i call$ a pass+ /ew>d4 ,mrs4      
,erickson =got h] bag1 ,i said1 po9t+   
ha/ily to x4 ,y'll f9d h] ov] !re ) ,mr4
 ,:itson4 ,!n ,i m+l$ 9 ! cr[d to wat*  

h]4 ,%e did n seem to %[ any anxiety :5 
%e receiv$ x4  ,i lo/ no "t 9 gett+ back
 to ,k5n$y & tell+ him :at ,i _h f\nd1 &
 a few mom5ts lat] he made an excuse to 
g to our /ate-room1 z eag] z ,i 0 to "k 
:at _h be5 9 ! little bottle4  ,fir/ he 
p\r$ out a drop ( ! liquid f ! cap ( my 
f\nta9-p5 9 "s wat]4 ,x did n dissolve4 
,successively he tri$ alcohol1 e!r1 !n  
peps94 ,none ( !m _h any effect on x4   
,f9ally1 h[ev]1 he manag$ to dissolve x 
9 ammonia4  ,relatively high am\nt (    
sulphur1 he mutt]$1 aft] a few mom5ts m 
( /udy4 ,k]at91 ,i believe4  ,a poison8 
,i ask$4  ,k5n$y %ook 8 head4 ,no2      
h>mless4  ,!n :at is x =8  ,he %rugg$ 8 
%\ld]s4 ,he may h _h "s half-=m$ idea1 b
 if he did x 0 /ill indef9ite & he      
refus$ to commit himself4 ,in/ead1 he   
plac$ ! sample 9 8 travel+ laboratory1  
clos$ & lock$ x1 &1 ) our luggage1 ! box
 0 ready to be tak5 a%ore4  ,ne>ly e "o 
_h gone a%ore by ! "t we return$ to !   
deck4 ,:itson 0 !re yet1 talk+ to !     
capta91 = ! %ipp+ at ! port int]e/$ him4

 ,i wond]$ :e!r he1 too1 might be       
suspici\s ( ^? cases consign$ to        
,erickson & o!rs4 ,if s1 he said no?+ ( 
x4  ,by ?is "t sev]al vessels t look$ z 
if !y might be light]s1 ?\gh fairly     
l>ge1 _h pull$ up4 ,x seem$ t !y _h be5 
engag$ to c>ry %ipm5ts ( goods to ! o!r 
isl&s ( ,/4 ,john & ,/4 ,croix4  ,k5n$y 
seem$ eag] n[ to get a%ore1 & we w5t1   
accompani$ by ,:itson1 & aft] "s        
difficulty e/abli%$ ourselves 9 a small 
hotel4  ,mo/ ( ! t\ri/s 7 sightsee+1 &1 
:ile we _h no "t = t1 /ill we c\ld n    
help do+ s1 9 go+ ab\t ! t[n4  ,*>lotte 
,amalie1 ,i may say1 prov$ to be "o ( ! 
mo/ picturesque t[ns 9 ! ,w9dw>d ,isl&s4
 ,! walls ( ! h\ses 7 mo/ly ( a dazzl+  
:it5ess1 ?\gh "s 7 yell[1 o!rs gray1    
orange1 blue4 ,b ! ro(s 7 all ( a g5]\s 
bright r$ :i* %[$ up v effectively among
 ! clumps ( gre5 trees4 ,inde$1 ! t[n   
seem$ to be "o ( gaily t9t$ villas &    
palaces4 ,!re 7 no factories1 no slums4 
,nature _h provid$ aga9/ t & man _h n   
violat$ ! provision4  ,! p :om we met on

 ! /reets 7 mo/ly negroes1 ?\gh !re 0 a 
fair spr9kl+ ( :ites4 ,:at pleas$ u mo/ 
0 t ne>ly ev]y:]e we w5t ,engli% 0      
spok54 ,i _h half expect$ ,dani%4 ,b !re
 0 ev5 v little ,spani% spok54  ,burke 0
 wait+ = u1 & 9 spite ( 8 play+ ! role (
 travel+ salesman manag$ to direct u    
ab\t s t we might z quickly z possible  
pick up ! ?read ( ! my/]i\s dea? (      
,dwight4 ,x did n take long to ga!r su* 
meag] in=mation z !re 0 ab\t ! autopsy t
 _h foll[$ ! /range dea? ( ,sydney's    
pr$ecessor4  ,we 7 able to f9d out      
little f ei!r ! au?orities or ! doctor  
:o _h inve/igat$ ! case4 ,"u ! /ress (  
suspicion1 bo? ! /oma* & ! cont5ts ( !  
/oma* ( ! un=tunate man _h be5 exam9$4  
,no trace ( any?+ out ( ! way _h be5    
f\nd1 & !re ! matt] _h re/$1 except =   
suspicion4  ,"o ( our fir/ visits 0 to !
 ,am]ican consulate4 ,!re ,sydney1 by   
virtue ( 8 special commission1 _h1 )    
*>act]i/ic en]gy1 e/abli%$ himself ) !  
consul4 ,naturally1 he1 too1 _h be5 mak+
 inquiries4 ,b !y _h l$ n[h]e4 ,!re     

seem$ to be no clue to ! my/]i\s dea? ( 
,dwight1 n ev5 a h9t z to ! cause4  ,all
 t we 7 able to discov]1 aft] "s h\rs ( 
pati5t inquiry1 0 t ,dwight _h suff]$ f 
great pro/ration1 m>k$ cyanosis1        
convulsions1 & coma4 ,:e!r x 0 ! result 
( "s /range disease or ( a poison no "o1
 n ev5 ! doctor1 0 prep>$ to say4 ,all t
 0 kn[n 0 t ! bl[1 if bl[ x _h be51 0   
swift1 sudd51 sure4  ,we ran across     
,:itson once or twice dur+ ! day1 busily
 engag$ r5ew+ acqua9tance ) m]*ants &   
plant]s :om he _h kn[n be=e1 b ,i d n   
recall hav+ se5 ei!r ,burleigh or       
,leont9e1 :i*1 at ! "t1 ,i ?\ght r      
/range1 = ! t[n 0 small & /rang]s 7 few4
 ,! m ,i ?\ght ( x ! m firmly conv9c$ ,i
 0 t ,dwight _h discov]$ "s secret :i* x
 0 extremely inconv5i5t = somebody to h 
kn[n4 ,:at 0 x8 ,0 x connect$ ) ! rumors
 we _h he>d ( gun-runn+ to ,mexico8     
,erickson _h invit$ u to come late 9 !  
aft]noon to ! d9n] & we did n delay 9   
gett+ !re4 ,8 h\se prov$ to be a        
v]itable palace on ! side ( "o ( ! hills

 ris+ abruptly back ( ! %ore4 ,flights (
 massive /one /eps1 qua9t walls cov]$ ) 
creep]s1 balu/rades ov]look+ *>m+ g>d5s1
 arcades f :i* "o look$ out on spl5did  
vi/as & %ady t]races comb9$ to make x a 
v]itable p>adise su* z c be f\nd only 9 
tropical & subtropical l&s4 ,mo/        
wond]ful ( all 0 ! picture ( ! o!r hills
 unfold$1 especially ( ! two ru9$       
pirates' ca/les belong+ to semi-my?ical 
p]sonages1 ,bluebe>d & ,blackbe>d4  ,!  
,ericksons 7 pr\d ( _! home1 z well !y  
might be1 9 spite ( ! compla9ts we _h   
he>d ,nanette utt] & ! ef=ts ( ,erickson
 to sell 8 hold+s4 ,mrs4 ,erickson prov$
 to be a *>m+ ho/ess & ! ho/ ext5d$ a   
hospitality su* z "o r>ely meets4 ,x q  
made me uncom=table to accept x at !    
same "t t ,i knew we mu/ view x all )   
suspicion4 ,nor did x make matt]s any   
bett]1 b r worse1 to feel t !re 0 "s    
color ( excuse = ! suspicion4  ,burleigh
 arriv$ pr\dly ) ,leont9e1 foll[$       
closely by ,sydney4 ,at once ! game 0 on
 aga91 ,leont9e pitt+ "o aga9/ ! o!r4   

,:itson came1 8 att5tions to ,mrs4      
,erickson a trifle re/ra9$1 b /ill      
obvi\s4 ,burke & ourselves complet$ !   
p>ty4  ,to ! repeat$ urg+ ( ,erickson we
 made ourselves q z mu* at home z we    
politely c\ld4 ,k5n$y & ,burke1 act+ "u 
8 in/ructions1 seem$ to be ubiquit\s4   
,yet1 beyond a cont9uation ( ! drama t  
_h be5 unfold$ on ! %ip x did n seem to 
me at fir/ t we 7 gett+ any:]e4  ,k5n$y 
& ,i 7 pass+ alone along a colonnade t  
op5$ (f f ! l>ge d9+-hall1 :5 ,craig    
paus$ & look$ 9 ?r\gh an op5 door at !  
massive table set = ! d9n]4  ,a s]vant  
_h j complet$ sett+ out cocktails at !  
v>i\s places1 p\r+ !m f a huge tank>d1 =
 ! purpose1 :i* _h be5 /&+ on a         
sidebo>d4 ,gue/s _h be5 walk+ pa/ ?r\gh 
! colonnade ev] s9ce we arriv$1 b at !  
mom5t !re 0 no "o ab\t1 & ev5 ! s]vant  
_h disappe>$4  ,k5n$y /epp$ lightly into
 ! d9+-hall & look$ ab\t %>ply4         
,in/9ctively ,i /epp$ to a w9d[ :]e ,i  
c\ld he> any "o approa*+4 ,out ( ! corn]
 ( my eye ,i saw him n>r[ly scrut9iz+ ! 

table4 ,f9ally he pull$ f 8 pocket a    
clean l95 h&k]*ief4 ,into an empty glass
 he p\r$ ! cont5ts ( "o ( !             
cocktail-glasses1 /ra9+ ! liquid ?r\gh !
 h&k]*ief4 ,!n he p\r$ ! filtrate1 if ,i
 may call x su*1 back into ! orig9al    
glass4 ,a second he treat$ 9 ! same way1
 & a ?ird4 ,he _h ne>ly complet$ ! r\nd 
( ! table :5 ,i he>d a light /ep4  ,my  
w>n+ came only j 9 "t4 ,x 0 ,burleigh4  
,he saw u /&+ n[ 9 ! colonnade1 made "s 
ha/y rem>k1 !n walk$ on1 z if 9 se>* =  
"s "o4 ,_h x be5 int]e/ 9 ,leont9e or 9 
! d9+-room t _h drawn him ?i!r8  ,k5n$y 
0 n[ look+ closely at ! h&k]*ief1 & ,i  
look$ also4 ,9 ! glasses _h be5         
innum]able little se$s z if f ! fruit   
juice us$ 9 concoct+ ! appetiz]4 ,! f9e 
me%es ( ! l95 _h extract$ !m4 ,:at 7 !y8
  ,i took "o 9 my f+]s & cru%$ x betwe5 
my nails4 ,!re 0 an unmi/akable odor (  
bitt] almonds4 ,:at did x mean8  ,we _h 
no "t n[ = speculation4 ,our prolong$   
abs5ce might be notic$ & we ha/5$ to jo9
 ! o!r gue/s aft] f9i%+ ! r\nd ( glasses

 9 :i* he _h be5 int]rupt$4  ,h[1 9 my  
suppress$ excitem5t1 ,i manag$ to get   
?r\gh t d9n] ,i d n "k4 ,x 0 a brilliant
 affair1 yet ,i f\nd t ,i _h completely 
lo/ my appetite1 z well "o might aft]   
hav+ obs]v$ ,k5n$y's sleu?+4  ,h[ev]1 ! 
d9n] progress$1 ?\gh ea* c\rse t br\ght 
x ne>] a conclusion af=d$ me an air (   
relief4 ,i 0 q ready :51 ov] ! c(fee1   
,k5n$y contriv$ to make "s excuse = u1  
promis+ to call aga9 & p]haps to visit !
 ,erickson plantation4  ,9 ! secrecy (  
our room 9 ! little hotel1 ,craig 0 soon
 deeply buri$ 9 mak+ use ( 8 travel+    
laboratory4 ,z he work$ ,i c\ld no long]
 re/ra9 my impati5ce4 ,:at ab\t t little
 bottle ( k]at98 ,i ask$1 eag]ly4  ,oh  
yes1 he repli$1 n look+ up f ! te/s he 0
 mak+4 ,well1 k]at91 y "k1 is also call$
 epid]mose4 ,x is a scl]oprote9 pres5t  
l>gely 9 cuticul> /ructures su* z hair1 
nails1 horn4 ,i believe x is usually    
prep>$ f pieces ( horn /eep$ 9 peps91   
hydro*loric acid1 & wat] = a long "t4   
,!n ! residue is dissolv$ 9 ammonia &   

acetic acid4  ,b :at's its use8 ,i      
dem&$4 ,y said x 0 h>mless4  ,:y1 !     
peps9 ( ! /oma* won't dige/ x1 he       
return$4 ,= t reason its *ief use is =  
coat+ :at are kn[n z 'ent]ic capsules4' 
,any?+ coat$ ) k]at9 is c>ri$ on ?r\gh !
 /oma* into ! inte/9es4 ,x is us$ mu* 9 
hot c\ntries 9 ord] to introduce drugs  
into ! inte/9es 9 ! treatm5t ( !        
tropical diseases t affect ! inte/9es4  
,he paus$ & devot$ 8 entire att5tion to 
8 "w1 b he _h told me en\gh to assure me
 t at lea/ ! bottle ( k]at9 ,i _h f\nd  
_h prov$ to be a clue4  ,i wait$ z long 
z ,i c\ld1 !n int]rupt$ aga94 ,:at are !
 se$s8 ,i qu]i$4 ,h y f\nd out yet8  ,he
 paus$ z ?\gh he _h n q f9i%$ 8 ha/y    
inve/igation1 yet _h f\nd out en\gh to  
conv9ce him4 ,!re seem to be two k9ds4  
,i wi% ,i _h _h "t to keep ea* lot      
sep>ate4 ,"s ( !m are c]ta9ly q h>mless4
 ,b !re are o!rs1 ,i f9d1 t h be5 soak$ 
9 nitro-b5zol1 artificial oil ( bitt]   
almonds4 ,ev5 a few drops1 su* z might  
be soak$ up 9 ?is way1 might be fatal4  

,! new & int]e/+ phase1 to me1 is t !y 7
 all c>efully coat$ ) k]at94 ,really1 !y
 are k]at9-coat$ ent]ic capsules (      
nitro-b5zol1 a deadly poison4  ,i look$ 
at him1 agha/ at :at "s ( u _h be5      
rescu$ f by 8 prompt action4  ,y see1 he
 w5t on1 excit$ly1 t is :y ! autopsies  
probably %[$ no?+4 ,^! doctors d[n "h   
s\ght = a poison 9 ! /oma*4 ,b if !     
poison _h be5 9 ! /oma* ! odor alone    
w\ld h betray$ x4 ,y smelt x :5 y cru%$ 
a se$4 ,b ! poison+ _h be5 devis$ to    
avoid j t *ance ( discov]y4 ,!re 0 no   
poison 9 ! /oma*4 ,dea? 0 delay$ long   
en\gh1 also1 to div]t suspicion f ! real
 poison]4 ,"s "o has be5 diabolically   
clev] 9 cov]+ up ! crimes4  ,i c\ld only
 gasp my amazem5t4 ,!n1 ,i blurt$ out1 y
 ?9k ! ,ericksons--  ,our door bur/ op54
 ,x 0 ,burke1 9 wild excitem5t4  ,has   
anybody--di$8 ,i manag$ to dem&4  ,he   
seem$ n to he>1 b da%$ to ! w9d[ & ?rew 
x op54 ,look6 he exclaim$4  ,we did4 ,9 
! late twilight1 ?r\gh ! op5 sa% we c\ld
 see ! l&lock$ bas9 ( ! h>bor4 ,b x 0 n 

t at :i* ,burke po9t$4 ,on ! horizon an 
ugly d>k cl\d rose m5ac+ly4 ,9 ! /range1
 une>?ly murk9ess1 ,i c\ld see p ( ! t[n
 p\r+ out into ! n>r[ /reets1 wildly1   
fe>fully1 ) frantic cries &             
ge/iculations4  ,= a mom5t ,i gaz$ at ! 
sight blankly4 ,!n ,i realiz$ t sweep+  
on u 0 "o ( ^? sudd51 deadly            
,we/-,indian hurricanes4 ,our h>bor 0   
%elt]$ f ! nor? & ea/ w9ds4 ,b ?is w9d 0
 s\!rn born1 r>e1 oncom+ 9 a fury aga9/ 
:i* we _h no protection4  ,ha/ily clos+ 
8 armam5t>ium1 ,k5n$y also hurri$ out on
 ! /reet4 ,! gale _h become t]rific     
already 9 ! few m9utes t _h elaps$4 ,f  
our t]race we c\ld see ! wat]1 gray &   
olive1 ) huge :ite break]s1 l gna%+     
tee?1 com+ on to r5d & te> ev]y?+ 9 _!  
pa?4 ,x 0 z ?\gh we /ood 9 an amphi!at] 
provid$ by nature = a great spectacle1 !
 bold headl&s /&+ out l ! curves ( a    
/adium4  ,i look$ ab\t4 ,! ,ericksons _h
 j driv5 up ) ,burleigh & ,leont9e1 z   
well z ,:itson1 all ( :om 7 /opp+ at our
 hotel1 & 7 ab\t to take ,sydney on to !

 consulate :5 ! approa* ( ! /orm w>n$ !m
 to /ay4  ,leont9e _h hurri$ into !     
hotel1 evid5tly fe>ful ( ! loss ( some?+
 %e treasur$1 & ! re/ 7 /&+ ap>t f !    
trees & build+s1 :]e ! =mation ( ! l&   
(f]$ "s protection4 ,z we jo9$ !m ,i    
pe]$ at ! pale faces 9 ! gha/ly1        
unnatural light4 ,0 x1 9 a s5se1        
retribution8  ,sudd5ly1 )\t fur!r w>n+1 
! /orm broke4 ,trees 7 turn$ up by      
roots1 l we$s1 ! build+s rock$ z if !y  
_h be5 h\ses ( c>ds4 ,x 0 a wild1       
cata/rophic spectacle4  ,leont9e1 ,i    
he>d a voice mutt] by my side1 z a =m   
catapult$ itself pa/ ?r\gh ! murk9ess   
into ! crazily sway+ hotel4 ,x 0        
,burleigh4 ,i turn$ to speak to ,k5n$y4 
,he 0 gone4 ,:]e to f9d him ,i _h no    
idea4 ,! =ce ( ! w9d 0 su* t se>* 0     
impossible4 ,all we c\ld d 0 to huddle  
back ( su* protection z ! e>? af=d$     
aga9/ ! million ne$les ( ra9 t cut into 
our faces4  ,! w9d almo/ blew me flat to
 ! e>? z1 no long] able to /& ! susp5se1
 ,i /umbl$ t[>d ! hotel1 ?9k+ p]haps he 

_h gone to save 8 armam5t>ium1 al?\gh if
 ,i _h /opp$ to ?9k ,i %\ld h realiz$ t 
t /rong box 0 ab\t ! safe/ piece (      
prop]ty on ! isl&4  ,i 0 lit]ally pick$ 
up & hurl$ aga9/ an object 9 !          
d>kness--a man4 ,9 ! room--m k]at9--m   
se$s4  ,x 0 ,k5n$y4 ,he _h tak5         
advantage ( ! confusion to make a se>*  
:i* o!rwise might h be5 m difficult4    
,toge!r we /ruggl$ back to our %elt]4   
,j !n came a cra%1 z ! hotel crumpl$ "u 
! fi]ce /ress ( ! /orm4 ,out ( ! doorway
 /ruggl$ a figure j 9 "t to cle> ! fall+
 walls4 ,x 0 ,burleigh1 a huge ga% f a  
beam /ream+ blood d[n 8 =ehead :i* ! ra9
 wa%$ away almo/ z x ooz$4 ,9 8 arms1   
cl++ ab\t 8 neck1 0 ,leont9e1 no long] !
 sophi/icat$1 b 9 ! face ( ?is primeval 
dang] j a woman4 ,burleigh /agg]$ ) 8   
burd5 a little ap>t f u1 & 9 spite (    
ev]y?+ ,i c\ld fancy him bless+ ! /orm t
 _h giv5 him 8 opportunity4  ,f> f      
abat+1 ! /orm seem$ increas+ 9 fury1 z  
?\gh all ! devils ( ! und]world 7 vex$  
at any?+ rema9+ unde/roy$4 ,x seem$ z if

 ev5 ! hills on :i* ! old pirates _h    
once _h _! ca/les mu/ be rock+4  ,my    
,god6 exclaim$ a ?ick voice1 z an arm   
%ot out1 po9t+ t[>d ! h>bor4  ,!re 0 !  
,arroyo tugg+ at e extra moor+ t c\ld be
 impress$ into s]vice4 ,! light]s _h    
brok5 or be5 cut away & 7 scudd+1       
de/ruction-b5t1 squ>ely at ! %ore almo/ 
bel[ u4 ,a mom5t & !y _h cra%$ on !     
bea*1 a mass ( timb]s & sp>s1 :ile !    
p\nd+ waves tore op5 & flung ab\t heavy 
cases z ?\gh !y 7 m]e toys4  ,!n1 almo/ 
z sudd5ly z x _h come1 ! /orm began to  
abate1 ! air cle>$1 & no?+ rema9$ b !   
fury ( ! waves4  ,look6 exclaim$ ,k5n$y1
 po9t+ d[n at ! /range wreckage t /rew$ 
! bea*4 ,does t look l agricultural     
ma*9]y8 ,we /ra9$ our eyes4 ,k5n$y did n
 pause4 ,! mom5t ,i he>d t arms 7 gett+ 
into ,mexico ,i suspect$ t some:]e "h 9 
! ,c>ibbean munitions 7 be+ tran%ipp$4  
,p]haps !y h be5 s5t to ,atlantic ports 
o/5sibly = ! ,allies4 ,!y h got d[n "h  
disguis$4 ,ev5 be=e ! /orm expos$ !m ,i 
_h reason$ x out4 ,f ?is port1 ! key to 

! va/ sweep ( ma9l&1 ,i reason$ t !y 7  
be+ tak5 ov] to secret po9ts on ! coa/  
:]e big %ips c\ld n safely g4 ,x 0 "h t 
blockade-runn]s 7 refitt$ 9 our ,civil  
,w>4 ,x is "h t ?is new gun-runn+ plot  
has be5 laid4  ,he turn$ quickly to     
,sydney4 ,! only ob/acle betwe5 !       
transf] ( ! arms & success 0 ! activity 
( an ,am]ican consulate4 ,^? light]s 7 n
 to c>ry goods to o!r isl&s4 ,!y 7      
really de/9$ = ,mexico4 ,x 0 pr(itable4 
,& ! s*eme = remov+ opposition 0        
evid5tly safe4  ,k5n$y 0 hold+ up ano!r 
bottle ( k]at9 & "s fruit se$s4 ,i f\nd 
^! 9 a room 9 ! hotel1 he add$4  ,i did 
n compreh5d4 ,b1 ,i cut 91 ! h&-bag--!  
d9n]--:at ( !m8  ,a plant--a despicable 
trespass on hospitality--all "p ( a     
s*eme to ?r[ ! guilt on "s "o else1     
wor?y ( a r5egade & traitor4  ,craig    
:eel$ sudd5ly1 !n add$1 ) an incisive   
ge/ure1 ,i suppose y "k t !re is reput$ 
to h be5 on "o ( ^! hills ! headqu>t]s (
 ! old pirate1 ,tea*--'! milde/ mann]'d 
man t ev] scuttl$ %ip or cut a ?roat6'  

,k5n$y paus$1 !n add$1 quickly1 ,9      
respect to cov]+ up y\r gun-runn+1      
,:itson1 y are sup]ior ev5 to ,tea*6    
,,xii  ,,! ,,sunk5 ,,treasure           
,get /ory ,ev]son & bride ya*t ,belle   
,av5ture      seek+ treasure sunk ,gulf 
l9] ,antilles4  ,k5n$y & ,i _h proce$$  
aft] a few leisurely days 9 ,/4 ,?omas  
to ,porto ,rico4 ,we _h no p>ticul>     
de/9ation1 & ,san ,juan r appeal$ to u z
 an objective po9t because x 0 ,am]ican4
  ,x 0 !re t ,i f\nd wait+ = me ! above 
message by wireless f ! ,/> 9 ,new      
,york4  ,san ,juan 01 z we _h           
anticipat$1 a ?or\ghly ,am]icaniz$ t[n &
 ,i lo/ no "t 9 gett+ ar\nd at once to !
 (fice ( ! lead+ newspap]1 ! ,colonial  
,news4 ,! editor1 ,k5more1 prov$ to be a
 =m] ,new ,york report] :o _h come out 9
 answ] to an adv]tisem5t by !           
proprietors ( ! pap]4  ,:at's ! big /ory
 "h n[8 ,i ask$ by way ( preface1       
expect+ to f9d t colonial newspap]m5 7  
prov9cial4  ,:at's ! big /ory8 repeat$  
,k5more1 impati5tly pu%+ aside a long   

lead] on native politics & reg>d+ me    
?\ghtfully4 ,well1 ,i'm n sup]/iti\s1 b 
a honeymoon sp5t try+ to break into     
,davy ,jones's lock] = sunk5            
treasure--,i guess t's a good /ory1     
isn't x8  ,i %[$ him my message & he    
smil$4 ,y see1 ,i 0 "r1 he exclaim$4    
,!y're se>*+ n[ at ! ,cay d',or1 !      
,gold5 ,key1 "o ( ! s\!rnmo/ ( !        
,bahamas1 ,i suppose y w\ld call x4 ,i  
wi% ,i 0 l y4 ,i'd l to get away f ?is  
political /uff long en\gh to get ! /ory4
  ,he puff$ abs5tly on a fragrant native
 cig>4 ,i met !m all :5 !y 7 "h1 be=e !y
 />t$1 he resum$1 rem9isc5tly4 ,x 0     
c]ta9ly a picturesque outfit--?ree      
college *ums--"o ( !m on 8 honeymoon1 & 
! c\ple *ap]on+ ! bride's si/]4 ,!re 0  
"o ( ! college boys--a fell[ nam$       
,gage--:o fairly made news4  ,h[ 0 t8   
inquir$ ,k5n$y1 :o _h accompani$ me1    
full ( ze/ at ! prospect ( mix+ 9 a /ory
 s romantic4  ,oh1 ,i don't "k t x 0 8  
fault--altoge!r1 repli$ ,k5more4 ,!re's 
a "y lady "h 9 ! city1 ! daught] ( a    

pilot1 ,dolores ,guit]as4 ,%e _h be5 a  
fri5d ( "s "o 9 ! exp$ition1 ,i believe4
 ,i suppose t's h[ ,gage met h]4 ,i     
don't ?9k ei!r ( !m really c>$ = ea*    
o!r4 ,p]haps %e 0 a bit jeal\s ( !      
ladies ( ! p>ty4 ,i don't "k any?+ mu*  
ab\t x1 only ,i rememb] "o night 9 !    
cafe ( ! ,palace ,hotel1 ,i ?\ght ,gage 
& ano!r fell[ w\ld fight a              
duel--almo/--until ,ev]son dropp$ 9 &   
pat*$ ! affair up & ! next day 8 ya*t   
left = ,gold5 ,key4  ,i wi% ,i'd be5 "h 
to g ) !m1 ,i consid]$4 ,h[ d y suppose 
,i'll be able to get out !re1 n[8  ,y   
might be able to hire a tug1 %rugg$     
,k5more4 ,! only "o ,i "k is t ( ,capta9
 ,guit]as4 ,he's ! fa!r ( ?is ,dolores  
,i told y ab\t4  ,! sugge/ion seem$     
good1 & aft] a few mom5ts m (           
conv]sation1 absorb+ :at little ,k5more 
knew1 we ?read$ our way across ! city to
 ! home ( ! r$\btable ,guit]as & 8      
pretty daught]4  ,guit]as prov$ to be a 
man ( ab\t fifty1 a /urdy1 muscul>      
fell[1 8 face bronz$ by ! tropical sun4 

,i _h sc>cely broa*$ ! purpose ( my     
visit :5 8 re/less br[n eyes seem$      
lit]ally to fla%4 ,no1 sir1 he exclaim$1
 emphatically4 ,y _c get me to g on any 
su* exp$ition4 ,mr4 ,ev]son came "h fir/
 & tri$ to hire my tug4 ,i w\ldn't d x4 
,no1 sir--he _h to get "o f ,havana4    
,:y1 ! :ole ?+ is unlucky--hoodoo$1 y   
call x4 ,i w n t\* x4  ,b1 ,i           
remon/rat$1 surpris$ at 8 unexpect$     
vehem5ce1 ,i am n ask+ y to jo9 !       
exp$ition4 ,we are only go+ to--  ,no1  
no1 he int]rupt$4 ,i w n consid] x4 ,i--
  ,he cut %ort 8 rem>ks z a "y woman1   
radiant 9 h] ,lat9-,am]ican beauty1 op5$
 ! door1 hesitat$ at sight ( u1 !n ent]$
 at a nod f him4 ,we did n ne$ to be    
told t ?is 0 ! ,dolores :om ,k5more's   
rumor _h cr$it$ ) almo/ wreck+ ,ev]son's
 exp$ition at ! />t4 ,%e 0 a /rik+ type1
 h] face1 full ( animation & fire1      
betray+ m ( passion ?an ( intellect4  ,a
 ke5 glance ( inquiry f h] wond]ful eyes
 at h] fa!r 0 foll[$ by a mom5t>y f>away
 look1 & %e rema9$ sil5t1 :ile ,guit]as 

paus$1 z if consid]+ some?+4  ,!y say1  
he cont9u$1 sl[ly1 8 features drawn     
%>ply1 t !re 0 loot ( ,mexican *ur*es on
 t %ip--! jewels ( ,our ,lady ( ! ,ros>y
 at ,puebla4444 ,t %ip 0 curs$1 ,i tell 
y6 he add$1 sc[l+ d>kly4  ,no "o 0 lo/  
on x1 ?\gh1 ,i v5tur$ at r&om4  ,i      
suppose y nev] he>d ! /ory ( !          
,antilles8 he inquir$1 turn+ swiftly    
t[>d me4 ,!n1 )\t /opp+3 ,%e _h j sail$ 
f ,san ,juan be=e %e 0 wreck$--on h] way
 to ,new ,york f ,v]a ,cruz ) sev]al    
hundr$ ,mexican refugees4 ,treasure8    
,yes2 p]haps millions1 money t belong$  
to weal?y families 9 ,mexico--& "s t _h 
! curse on x4  ,y ask$ a mom5t ago if   
ev]ybody wasn't rescu$4 ,well1 ev]ybody 
0 rescu$ f ! wreck except ,capta9       
,driggs4 ,i don't "k :at happ5$4 ,no "o 
kn[s4 ,! fire _h got into ! eng9e-room &
 ! %ip 0 s9k+ fa/4 ,pass5g]s saw him1   
pale1 l a gho/1 "s said4 ,o!rs say !re 0
 blood /ream+ f 8 head4 ,:5 ! la/       
boat-load left !y c\ldn't f9d him4 ,!y  
_h to put (f )\t him4 ,x 0 a miracle t  

no "o else 0 lo/4  ,h[ did ! fire />t8  
inquir$ ,k5n$y1 mu* int]e/$4  ,no "o    
kn[s t1 ei!r1 answ]$ ,guit]as1 %ak+ 8   
head sl[ly4 ,i ?9k x mu/ h be5 smold]+ 9
 ! hold = h\rs be=e x 0 discov]$4 ,!n ! 
pumps ei!r didn't "w prop]ly or x _h    
ga9$ too great headway = !m4 ,i've he>d 
_m p talk ( x & ( ! treasure4 ,no1 sir1 
y w\ldn't get me to t\* x4 ,maybe y'll  
call x sup]/ition4 ,b ,i won't h any?+  
to d ) x4 ,i w\ldn't g ) ,mr4 ,ev]son & 
,i won't g ) y4 ,p]haps y don't und]/&1 
b ,i c't help x4  ,dolores _h /ood      
beside h] fa!r :ile he 0 speak+1 b _h   
said no?+1 ?\gh all ! "t %e _h be5      
reg>d+ u f b5ea? h] long black eyela%es4
 ,argum5ts ) ! old pilot _h no effect1 b
 ,i c\ld n help feel+ t someh[ %e 0 on  
our side1 t :e!r %e %>$ 8 fe>s &        
prejudices1 h] he>t 0 really some:]e ne>
 ! ,key ( ,gold4  ,!re seem$ to be no?+ 
= u to d b wait until "s o!r way turn$  
up to get out to ! exp$ition1 or p]haps 
,dolores succe$$ 9 *ang+ ! capta9's m9d4
 ,we b[$ ourselves out1 n a little      

puzzl$ by ! enigma ( ! obdurate old man 
& 8 pretty daught]4 ,try z ,i might     
among ! busy %ipp+ ( ! port1 ,i c\ld f9d
 no "o else will+ at any reasonable     
price to *ange 8 plans to accommodate u4
  ,x 0 e>ly ! next morn+ t a "y lady1 v 
mu* p]turb$1 call$ on u at our hotel1   
sc>cely wait+ ev5 ! introduction ( h]   
pla9ly engrav$ c>d be>+ ! "n1 ,miss     
,norma ,san=d4  ,p]haps y "k ( my si/]1 
,a/a ,san=d1 ,mrs4 ,orr9 ,ev]son1 %e    
began1 speak+ v rapidly z if "u /ress4  
,we're d[n "h on ,a/a's honeymoon 9     
,orr9's ya*t1 ! ,belle ,av5ture4 ,craig 
& ,i ex*ang$ glances1 b %e did n give u 
a *ance to int]rupt4  ,x all seems s    
sudd51 s t]rible1 %e cri$1 9 a bur/ (   
wild1 incoh]5t feel+4 ,ye/]day ,b]tram  
,traynor di$1 & we've put back to ,san  
,juan ) 8 body4 ,i'm s worri$ = ,orr9 & 
my si/]4 ,i he>d y 7 "h1 ,pr(essor      
,k5n$y1 & ,i c\ldn't re/ until ,i saw y4
  ,%e 0 look+ anxi\sly at ,craig4 ,i    
wond]$ :e!r %e _h he>d ( our visit to ! 
,guit]ases & :at %e knew ab\t t o!r     

woman4  ,i don't q und]/&1 int]pos$     
,k5n$y1 ) an ef=t to calm h]4 ,:y d y   
fe> = y\r si/] & ,mr4 ,ev]son8 ,0 !re   
some?+--suspici\s--ab\t ! dea? ( ,mr4   
,traynor8  ,inde$ ,i ?9k !re 01 %e      
repli$1 quickly4 ,none ( u has any idea 
h[ x happ5$4 ,let me tell y ab\t our    
p>ty4 ,y see1 !re are ?ree college *ums1
 ,orr9 & two fri5ds1 ,b]tram ,traynor & 
,donald ,gage4 ,!y 7 all on a cruise d[n
 "h la/ w9t]1 ! ye> aft] !y graduat$4 ,x
 0 9 ,san ,juan t ,orr9 fir/ met ,mr4   
,dom9ick1 :o 0 ! purs] on ! ,antilles--y
 "k1 t big /eam] ( ! ,gulf ,l9e t 0     
burn$ la/ ye> & w5t d[n ) sev5 million  
doll>s abo>d8  ,k5n$y nodd$ to ! impli$ 
qu]y1 & %e w5t on3 ,mr4 ,dom9ick 0 among
 ^? sav$1 b ,capta9 ,driggs 0 lo/ ) 8   
%ip4 ,mr4 ,dom9ick _h be5 try+ to int]e/
 "s "o "h 9 seek+ ! treasure4 ,!y knew  
ab\t :]e ! ,antilles w5t d[n1 & ! fir/  
?+ he want$ to d 0 to locate ! wreck    
exactly4 ,aft] t 0 done ( c\rse ,mr4    
,dom9ick knew ab\t ! location ( ! %ip's 
/rong room & all t4  ,t1 ( c\rse1 0     

common k to any "o int]e/$ en\gh to f9d 
out1 ?\gh1 sugge/$ ,k5n$y4  ,( c\rse1 %e
 agre$4 ,well1 a few mon?s lat] ,orr9   
met ,mr4 ,dom9ick aga91 9 ,new ,york4 ,9
 ! mean "t he _h be5 talk+ ! ?+ ov] )   
v>i\s p & _h become acqua9t$ ) a man :o 
_h once be5 a div] = ! ,int]ocean ,m>9e 
,insurance ,company--,ow5 ,k9sale4      
,anyh[1 s ! s*eme grew4 ,!y incorporat$ 
a company1 ! ,deep ,sea ,eng9e]+        
,company1 to se>* = ! treasure4 ,t is h[
 ,orr9 />t$4 ,!y are us+ 8 ya*t & ,mr4  
,dom9ick is really 9 comm&1 ?\gh ,mr4   
,k9sale has ! actual te*nical k4  ,%e   
paus$1 b aga9 h] feel+s seem$ to get !  
bett] ( h]4 ,oh1 %e cri$1 ,i've be5     
afraid all along1 lately4 ,x's dang]\s  
"w4 ,& !n1 ! /ories t h be5 told ( ! %ip
 & ! treasure4 ,x seems ill-fat$4       
,pr(essor ,k5n$y1 %e appeal$1 ,i wi% y  
w\ld come & see u4 ,we're n on ! ya*t j 
n[4 ,we came a%ore z soon z we arriv$   
back1 & ,a/a & ,orr9 are at ! ,palace   
,hotel n[4 ,p]haps ,orr9 c tell y m4 ,if
 y c d no?+ m ?an quiet my fe>s--  ,h]  

eyes f9i%$ ! s5t5ce4 ,norma ,san=d 0 "o 
( ^? girls :o impress y z q capable (   
tak+ c>e ( !mselves4 ,b 9 ! pres5ce ( ! 
trag$y & a dang] :i* %e felt b c\ld n   
seem to def9e1 %e felt ! ne$ ( outside  
assi/ance & did n hesitate to ask x4    
,nor 0 ,k5n$y sl[ 9 respond+4 ,he seem$ 
to welcome a *ance to help "s "o 9      
di/ress4  ,we f\nd ,ev]son & 8 "y wife  
at ! hotel1 q diff]5t n[ f ! c>e-free   
adv5tur]s :o _h set out only a few days 
be=e to wre/ a =tune f *ance4  ,i _h (t5
 se5 portraits ( ! two ,san=d si/]s 9 ! 
society pages ( ! pap]s 9 ! ,/ates &    
knew t ! c\rt%ip ( ,orr9 ,ev]son & ,a/a 
,san=d _h be5 a true bit ( mod]n        
romance4  ,a/a ,ev]son 0 a unique type (
 girl4 ,%e _h begun by runn+ fa/ motor  
c>s & boats4 ,t _h n satisfi$ h]1 & %e  
_h tak5 up aviation4 ,once1 ev51 %e _h  
tri$ deep-sea div+ h]self4 ,x seem$ z if
 %e _h be5 born ) ! _s ( adv5ture4  ,to 
w9 h]1 ,ev]son _h done ab\t ev]y?+ f    
,arctic exploration "o summ] :5 he 0 9  
college to big-game hunt+ 9 ,africa1 &  

m\nta9-climb+ 9 ! ,&es4 ,odd ?\gh !     
romance might seem to be1 "o c\ld n help
 feel+ t ! "y c\ple 7 spl5didly mat*$ 9 
_! ta/es4 ,ea* _h t _s ( re/lessness    
:i*1 at lea/1 s5t !m out play+ at       
pione]+4  ,ev]son _h organiz$ !         
exp$ition q z mu* 9 ! _s ( revolt aga9/ 
a prosaic life ( society at home z =    
ga94 ,x _h appeal$ /rongly to ,a/a4 ,%e 
_h insi/$ t no?+ s mu* z a treasure hunt
 w\ld be appropriate = _! w$d+-trip & !y
 _h agre$ on ! unconv5tional4           
,accord+ly1 %e & h] si/] _h jo9$ ,ev]son
 & 8 p>ty1 ,norma1 ?\gh a ye> y\ng]1 be+
 q l h] si/] 9 h] ta/e = excitem5t4  ,( 
c\rse1 y und]/&1 expla9$ ,ev]son1 z he  
hurri$ly tri$ to give u "s idea ( :at _h
 happ5$1 we knew t ! ,antilles _h sunk  
some:]e (f ! ,cay d',or4 ,x 0 fir/ a "q 
( locat+ h]4 ,t 0 all t we _h be5 do+ :5
 ,b]tram di$4 ,x is t]rible1 t]rible4 ,i
 c't believe x4 ,i c't und]/& x4  ,9    
spite ( 8 iron n]ve1 ! trag$y seem$ to h
 %ak5 ,ev]son pr(\ndly4  ,y _h done no?+
 t might h be5 dang]\s8 ask$ ,k5n$y1    

po9t$ly4  ,no?+1 emphasiz$ ,ev]son4 ,y  
see1 we locat$ ! wreck 9 a way some:at  
simil> to ! mann] 9 :i* !y sweep ! seas 
= m9es & subm>9es4 ,x 0 really v simple1
 ?\gh x took u "s "t4 ,all we did 0 to  
drag a wire at a fix$ dep? betwe5 ! ya*t
 & ! tug1 or r1 ,i suppose y'd almo/    
call x a trawl]1 :i* ,i *>t]$ f ,havana4
 ,:at we 7 look+ = 0 to h ! wire cat* on
 "s ob/ruction4 ,x did1 too1 n once1 b  
_m times1 due to ! unev5ness ( ! ocean  
b$4 ,once we locat$ a wreck1 b x 0 9    
%all[ wat]1 a small boat1 n ! "o we 7   
look+ =4  ,b y succe$$ f9ally8  ,yes1   
only day be=e ye/]day we locat$ h]4 ,we 
m>k$ ! spot ) a buoy & 7 gett+ ready =  
real "w4 ,x 0 j aft] t t ,b]tram 0 tak5 
ill & di$ s sudd5ly4 ,we've left        
,dom9ick1 ,k9sale1 ,gage1 & ! re/ on !  
trawl] !re1 :ile ,i came "h ) ,traynor's
 body4 ,god6 b x 0 awful to h to s5d !  
news back to ,new ,york4 ,i don't "k :at
 to ?9k or :at to d4  ,h[ did he die8   
ask$ ,k5n$y1 endeavor+ to ga9 !         
confid5ce ( "y ,ev]son4 ,d y recall any 

( 8 symptoms8  ,x came on him s sudd5ly1
 he repli$1 t we hadn't mu* "t to ?9k4  
,z ne>ly z we c\ld make out1 x began ) a
 fa9tness & difficulty 9 brea?+4 ,we    
ask$ him h[ he felt--b x seem$ z if he 0
 deaf4 ,i ?\ght x might be ! 'b5ds'--y  
"k1 caisson disease--& we />t$ to put   
him 9 ! m$ical lock :i* we _h = ! div]s1
 b be=e we c\ld get x ready he 0        
unconsci\s4 ,x 0 all s sudd5 t x /unn$  
u4 ,i c't make x out at all4  ,nei!r    
,a/a nor ,norma seem$ able to tell      
any?+4 ,9 fact1 ! bl[ _h be5 s swift &  
unexpect$1 s incompreh5sible1 t x _h    
left !m ?or\ghly al>m$4  ,! body (      
,traynor _h already be5 br\ght a%ore &  
plac$ 9 a local und]tak+ %op4 ,)        
,ev]son1 ,k5n$y & ,i ha/5$ to visit x4  
,traynor _h be5 an a?lete & p[]fully    
built1 :i* made 8 sudd5 dea? seem all ! 
m /range4 ,)\t a ^w1 ,craig set to "w   
imm$iately exam9+ 8 body1 :ile we /ood  
aside1 wat*+ him 9 anxi\s sil5ce4 ,k5n$y
 consum$ ! great] "p ( ! morn+ 9 8      
c>eful inve/igation1 & aft] "s "t       

,ev]son began to get re/less1 wond]+ h[ 
8 wife & si/]-9-law 7 gett+ on 9 8      
abs5ce4 ,to keep him company ,i return$ 
to ! hotel ) him1 leav+ ,k5n$y to pursue
 8 "w alone4  ,!re 0 no?+ mu* t ei!r ( u
 c\ld say or d1 b ,i ?\ght ,i obs]v$1 on
 clos] acqua9tance ) ,norma1 t %e _h    
some?+ weigh+ on h] m9d4 ,0 x a         
suspicion ( :i* %e _h n told u8         
,evid5tly %e 0 n prep>$ to say any?+    
yet1 b ,i det]m9$1 r ?an try to quiz h]1
 to tell ,k5n$y1 9 ! hope t %e might    
confide 9 him :at %e w\ld n brea! to any
 "o else4  ,x 0 p]haps an h\r or m lat] 
t we return$ to ,craig4 ,he 0 /ill at   
"w1 ?\gh f 8 mann] x 0 evid5t t 8       
inve/igations _h begun to %[ some?+1    
h[ev] slight4  ,h y f\nd any?+8 ask$    
,ev]son1 eag]ly4  ,i ?9k ,i h1 return$  
,craig1 measur+ 8 words c>efully4 ,(    
c\rse y "k ! dang]s ( div+ & ! view n[  
accept$ reg>d+ ! rapid eff]vesc5ce ( !  
gases :i* are absorb$ 9 ! body fluids   
dur+ exposure to pressure4 ,i ?9k y "k t
 exp]im5t has prov$ t :5 ! pressure is  

sudd5ly reliev$ ! gas is lib]at$ 9      
bubbles )9 ! body4 ,t is :at seems to d 
! h>m4 ,8 symptoms1 z y describ$ !m1    
seem$ to indicate t4 ,x is l *>g$ wat] 9
 a bottle4 ,take out ! cork & ! gas     
inside :i* has be5 "u pressure bubbles  
up4 ,9 ! human body1 air & p>ticul>ly ! 
nitrog5 9 ! air1 lit]ally =m dea?       
bubbles4  ,ev]son said no?+ z he reg>d$ 
,k5n$y's face se>*+ly1 & ,craig w5t on3 
,set free 9 ! sp9al cord1 = in/ance1 su*
 bubbles may cause p>tial p>alysis1 or 9
 ! he>t may lead to /oppage ( !         
circulation4 ,9 ?is case ,i am q sure t 
:at ,i h f\nd indicates air 9 ! art]ies1
 ! he>t1 & ! blood vessels ( ! bra94 ,x 
mu/ h be5 a case ( air embolism1        
insufflation4  ,?\gh ,ev]son seem$ all  
along to h suspect$ some?+ ( ! sort1    
,k5n$y's judgm5t left him q z mu* at a  
loss = an explanation4 ,k5n$y seem$ to  
und]/&1 z he w5t on3  ,i h tri$ to      
consid] all ! ways su* a ?+ c\ld h      
happ5$1 he consid]$4 ,x is possible t   
air might h be5 introduc$ into ! ve9s by

 a hypod]mic ne$le or o!r in/rum5t4 ,b  
,i f9d no puncture ( ! sk9 or o!r       
evid5ce t w\ld support t !ory4 ,i h     
look$ = a lesion ( ! lungs1 b f9d none4 
,!n h[ c\ld x h occurr$8 ,_h he done any
 real deep div+8  ,ev]son %ook 8 head   
sl[ly4 ,no1 he repli$4 ,z ,i said1 x    
w\ldn't h be5 s incompreh5sible if he   
_h4 ,besides1 if we _h be5 div+1 we %\ld
 h be5 on ! look\t4 ,no1 ,b]tram _h only
 te/$ ! app>atus once1 aft] we locat$ ! 
wreck4 ,he didn't mu* m ?an g "u !      
surface--no?+ l ! practice dives we all 
made up 9 ,long ,isl& ,s\nd be=e we came
 d[n "h4 ,he 0 only te/+ ! pumps & o!r  
?+s to see :e!r !y _h /ood ! voyage4    
,:y1 x 0 no?+ at all6 ,i don't see h[ x 
c\ld h giv5 any "o ! 'b5ds'--mu* less a 
fell[ l ,traynor4 ,:y1 ,i ?9k he c\ld h 
/ood m ?an ,k9sale ) a little practice4 
,k5n$y1 ,i c't get x out ( my m9d t     
!re's some?+ ab\t ?is t isn't ,,"r4     
,craig reg>d$ ,ev]son gravely4 ,frankly1
 he confess$1 ,i mu/ say t ,i don't     
und]/& x myself--at ?is di/ance4  ,w\ld 

y come out to ! ,key ) me8 ha/5$        
,ev]son1 z ?\gh grasp+ at a possible    
solution4  ,i %\ld be delight$ to help y
 9 any mann] t ,i c1 return$ ,craig1    
he>tily4  ,ev]son c\ld n f9d words to   
express 8 gratitude z we hurri$ back to 
! hotel4 ,9 ! excitem5t1 ,i _h          
completely =gott5 ! despat* f ! ,/>1 b  
n[ ,i sudd5ly realiz$ t "h1 ready to h&1
 0 ! only way ( gett+ out to ! ,key (   
,gold & secur+ ! /ory4  ,a/a ,ev]son &  
,norma1 especially1 7 ov]joy$ at ! news 
t ,k5n$y _h cons5t$ to accompany !m back
 to ! wreck4 ,evid5tly !y _h great fai? 
9 him1 f :at !y _h he>d at home4        
,accord+ly1 ,ev]son lo/ no "t 9 prep>+  
to return to ! ya*t4 ,no?+ m n[ c\ld be 
done = poor ,traynor1 & delay might mean
 mu* 9 cle>+ up ! my/]y1 if my/]y x %\ld
 prove4 ,we 7 well on our way t[>d ! l&+
 place be=e ,i realiz$ t we 7 go+ ov]   
mu* ! same r\te t ,k5n$y & ,i _h tak5 ! 
day be=e to rea* ! home ( ,guit]as4  ,i 
0 j ab\t to say some?+ ab\t x to ,k5n$y1
 & ( ! impression t ,norma _h made on   

me1 :5 sudd5ly a figure d>t$ f ar\nd a  
corn] & confront$ u4 ,we /opp$ 9        
surprise4 ,x 0 no o!r ?an ,dolores      
h]self--n ! quiet1 subdu$ ,dolores we _h
 se5 ! day be=e1 b an almo/ wild1       
passionate creature4 ,:at x 0 t _h      
trans=m$ h] ,i c\ld n imag9e4 ,x 0 n    
ourselves t %e seem$ to seek1 nor yet ! 
,ev]sons4 ,%e did n pause until %e _h   
come close to ,norma h]self4  ,= a mom5t
 ! two wom51 s diff]5t 9 type1 fac$ ea* 
o!r1 ,dolores fi]y ) ! ard5t beauty ( h]
 race1 ,norma pulsat+ ) life & vigor1   
yet always mi/ress ( h]self4  ,i w>n y6 
cri$ ,dolores1 unable to re/ra9 h]self4 
,y ?\ght ! o!r 0 y\rs--& he 0 n4 ,d n   
seek rev5ge4 ,he is m9e--,,m9e1 ,i tell 
y4 ,w9 y\r own back aga94 ,i 0 only mak+
 sport ( him4 ,b m9e--bew>e6  ,= a mom5t
 ,norma gaz$ at h]1 !n1 )\t a ^w1 turn$ 
aside & walk$ on4 ,ano!r in/ant &       
,dolores 0 gone z sudd5ly z %e _h       
appe>$4 ,a/a look$ inquir+ly1 b ,norma  
made no attempt at explanation4 ,:at did
 x mean8 ,_h x any?+ to d ) ! dispute 9 

! hotel :i* ,k5more _h witness$8  ,at ! 
l&+ we p>t$ = a "t ) ,ev]son1 to return 
to our hotel & get :at little we ne$$1  
includ+ ,k5n$y's travel+ laboratory1    
:ile ,ev]son prep>$ qu>t]s = our        
reception on ! ya*t4  ,:at d y make ( t 
,dolores incid5t8 ,i ha/5$ to ask !     
mom5t we 7 alone4  ,i don't "k1 he      
repli$1 except t ,i feel x has an       
important be>+ on ! case4 ,!re is some?+
 t ,norma hasn't told u1 ,i fe>4  ,:ile 
we wait$ = a wagon to transf] our goods 
to ! dock1 ,k5n$y took a mom5t to call  
up ,k5more on ! ,news4 ,z he turn$ to me
 f ! telephone1 ,i saw t :at he _h le>n$
 _h n help$ him mu* 9 8 idea ( ! case4  
,x 0 ! ,int]ocean ,company :i* _h insur$
 ! ,antilles1 0 all he said4  ,in/antly 
,i ?\ght ( ,k9sale & 8 =m] connection4  
,0 he secretly work+ ) !m /ill8 ,0 !re a
 plot to fru/rate ,ev]son's plans8 ,at  
lea/ ! be/ ?+ to d 0 to get out to !    
wreck & answ] our _m que/ions at fir/   
h&4  ,! ,belle ,av5ture 0 a trim ya*t ( 
p]haps sev5ty feet1 l[1 slim1 &         

graceful1 driv5 by a p[]ful gas-eng9e & 
capable ( go+ almo/ any:]e4 ,an h\r lat]
 we 7 abo>d & settl$ 9 a h&somely       
appo9t$ room1 :]e ,craig lo/ no "t 9    
e/abli%+ 8 tempor>y travel+ crime cl9ic4
  ,x 0 q late be=e we 7 able to />t1 =  
,ev]son _h a numb] ( commissions to     
att5d to on ?is 8 fir/ visit to port    
s9ce he _h set out s bli!ly4 ,f9ally1   
h[ev]1 we _h tak5 abo>d all t he ne$$ & 
we slipp$ out quietly pa/ ! ca/le on !  
po9t gu>d+ ! entrance to ! h>bor4 ,all  
night we pl[$ ahead ov] ! brilliant1    
/>ry1 tropical sea1 mak+ spl5did "t1 = !
 ya*t 0 "o ( ! fa/e/ t _h ev] be5 turn$ 
out by ! build]s4  ,n[ & !n ,i c\ld see 
t ,k5n$y 0 furtively wat*+ ,norma1 9 !  
hope t %e might betray :atev] secret x 0
 %e 0 gu>d+ s jeal\sly4 ,?\gh %e betray$
 no?+1 ,i felt sure t x _h to d ) "s    
memb] ( ! exp$ition & t x 0 a m ?an     
ord9>ily complicat$ affair ( ! he>t4 ,! 
ladies _h retir$1 leav+ u ) ,ev]son 9 ! 
easy wick] *airs on ! aft]-deck4  ,i c't
 seem to get out ( my m9d1 ,ev]son1 t   

meet+ ) ! ,spani% girl on ! /reet1      
sudd5ly rem>k$ ,k5n$y1 9 ! hope ( gett+ 
some?+ by surprise4 ,y see1 ,i _h       
already he>d ( a little unpleasantness 9
 a hotel cafe1 be=e ! exp$ition />t$4   
,someh[ ,i feel t !re mu/ be "s         
connection4  ,= a mom5t ,ev]son reg>d$  
,k5n$y "u ! s(t rays ( ! electric light 
"u ! awn+ z x sway$ 9 ! g5tle air1 !n   
look$ out ov] ! easy swell ( ! summ]    
sea4  ,i don't und]/& x myself1 he      
rem>k$1 at l5g?1 l[]+ 8 voice4 ,:5 we   
came d[n "h ,dom9ick knew t girl1       
,dolores1 & ( c\rse ,k9sale met h] "r   
away1 too4 ,i ?\ght ,gage 0 head ov] e>s
 9 love ) ,norma--& ,i guess he is4     
,only t night 9 ! cafe ,i j didn't l !  
way he propos$ a toa/ to ,dolores4 ,he  
mu/ h met h] t day4 ,maybe he 0 a bit   
excit$4 ,:at %e said to-day might mean t
 x 0 h] fault4 ,i don't "k4 ,b s9ce     
we've be5 out to ! ,key ,i fancy ,norma 
has be5 pretty int]e/$ 9 ,dom9ick4 ,&   
,k9sale doesn't hesitate to %[ t he     
likes h]4 ,x all sets ,donald crazy4    

,x's s mix$ up4 ,i c't make any?+ ( x4  
,& ,norma--well1 ev5 ,a/a c't get any?+ 
out ( h]4 ,i wi% to ,heav5 y c\ld       
/raight5 ! ?+ out4  ,we talk$ = "s "t1  
)\t gett+ mu* m light ?an ,ev]son _h be5
 able at fir/ to %$ on ! affair1 &      
f9ally we retir$1 hav+ conclud$ t only  
"t & ev5ts w\ld enable u to get at !    
tru?4  ,x 0 e>ly 9 ! morn+ t ,i 0 wak5$ 
by a *ange 9 ! motion ( ! boat4 ,!re 0 v
 little vibration f ! eng9e1 b ?is      
motion 0 diff]5t4 ,i look$ out ( !      
port-hole :i* _h be5 v clev]ly made to  
resemble a w9d[ & f\nd t we _h dropp$   
an*or4  ,! ,key ( ,gold 0 a beautiful   
gre5 isl&1 set1 l a sp>kl+ gem1 9 a sea 
( deepe/ turquoise4 ,sl5d] p9es ) a tuft
 ( gre5 at ! top rose gracefully f !    
weal? ( foliage bel[ & contra/$ ) !     
immaculate :ite ( ! s&y bea* t gli/5$ 9 
! morn+ sun4 ,romance seem$ to brea! f !
 v atmosph]e ( ! place4  ,we f\nd t !   
o!rs on ! ya*t 7 a/ir1 too1 &1 dress+   
ha/ily1 we w5t out on deck4 ,across !   
danc+ waves1 :i* seem$ to ?r[ a mock+   

*all5ge to ! treasure-seek]s to f9d :at 
!y cov]$1 we c\ld see ! trawl]4 ,already
 a small p[]-boat _h put out f h] & 0   
pl[+ along t[>d u4  ,x 0 z ! boat came  
alongside u t we met ,gage = ! fir/ "t4 
,he 0 a tall1 clean-cut fell[1 b ev5 at 
a glance ,i recogniz$ t 8 0 an unusual  
type4 ,i fanci$ t bo? proctors &        
pr(essors _h worri$ ov] him :5 he 0 9   
college4  ,p>ticul>ly ,i tri$ to discov]
 h[ he act$ :5 he met ,norma4 ,x 0 easy 
to see t he 0 v eag] to greet h]1 b ,i  
fanci$ t !re 0 "s re/ra9t on h] "p4     
,p]haps %e felt t we 7 wat*+ & 0 on h]  
gu>d4  ,dom9ick greet$ ,ev]son w>mly4   
,he 0 a man ( ab\t ?irty-five & impress$
 "o z hav+ se5 a great deal ( ! _w4 ,8  
position z purs] _h br\ght him into     
intimate contact ) _m p1 & he seem$ to h
 absorb$ mu* f !m4 ,i c\ld imag9e t1 l  
_m p :o _h knock$ ab\t a great deal1 he 
might prove a v fasc9at+ p]son to "k4   
,k9sale1 on ! o!r h&1 0 a r sil5t fell[ 
& !re=e baffl+4 ,9 8 own pr(ession (    
deep-sea div+ he 0 an exp]t1 b beyond t 

,i d n ?9k he _h mu* except an ambition 
to get ahead1 :i* might be praisewor?y  
or n1 accord+ z he pursu$ x4  ,i fanci$ 
t next to ,ev]son himself1 ,norma plac$ 
m confid5ce 9 ,dom9ick ?an 9 any ( !    
o!rs1 :i* seem$ to be q natural1 ?\gh x 
noticeably piqu$ ,gage4 ,on ! "p ( all  
?ree1 ,gage1 ,dom9ick1 & ,k9sale1 x 0   
app>5t t !y 7 ov]joy$ at ! return (     
,norma1 :i* also 0 q natural1 = ev5 a   
treasure-hunt has h\rs ( t$ium & !re    
c\ld be no?+ t$i\s :5 %e 0 ab\t4 ,a/a 0 
und\bt$ly ! m fasc9at+1 b %e 0 wrapp$ up
 9 ,ev]son4 ,x 0 n long be=e ,k5n$y & ,i
 also fell "u ! spell ( ,norma's pres5ce
 & p]sonality4  ,we hurri$ ?r\gh        
breakfa/ & lo/ no "t 9 accept+ ,ev]son's
 invitation to jo9 him1 ) ! re/1 9 !    
little p[]-boat on a visit to ! trawl]4 
,x 0 ,dom9ick :o took ^u himself ! task 
( expla9+ to u ! my/]ies (              
treasure-hunt+ z we saw !m4 ,y see1 he  
rem>k$1 po9t+ out to u :at look$ almo/ l
 a /rangely develop$ suit ( armor1 we h 
! mo/ rec5t deep-sea div+-outfit :i* w  

enable u to g f two hundr$ to ?ree      
hundr$ feet d[n--f>!r1 & e/abli% a      
record if we _h to d x4 ,x won't be     
necess>y1 ?\gh4 ,! ,antilles lies 9 ab\t
 two hundr$ & fifty feet ( wat]1 we h   
f\nd4 ,?is armor has to be /rong1 =1 ) !
 air pressure inside1 x mu/ resi/ a     
pressure ( ne>ly half a p\nd p] squ>e   
in* = ea* foot we g--to be exact1 some?+
 l a hundr$ & five p\nds p] squ>e in* at
 ! dep? ( ! wreck4 ,p]haps if ,traynor  
_h be5 div+ we might h ?\ght t t 0 !    
tr\ble4  ,x 0 ! fir/ ref]5ce s9ce we    
arriv$ to ! trag$y4 ,he _h only _h !    
suit on once1 w5t on ,dom9ick1 confirm+ 
,ev]son1 & t 0 m]ely to te/ ! pumps &   
valves & jo9ts4 ,ev5 ,k9sale1 "h1 hasn't
 be5 d[n4 ,/ill1 we hav5't be5 idle4 ,i 
h some?+ to report4 ,) our in/rum5ts we 
h discov]$ t ! %ip has heel$ ov] & t x w
 be a bit h>d] job to get into my (fice 
& get out ! safe ?an we hop$--b         
feasible4  ,k5n$y %[$ m int]e/ 9 ! div+ 
app>atus ?an he _h %[n 9 any?+ else s   
f>4 ,! trawl] 0 outfitt$ mo/ completely 

z a t5d]1 hav+ be5 an*or$ ov] ! exact   
spot at :i* ! desc5ts 7 to be made1 held
 by f\r /rong cables1 ) ev]y?+ 9        
read9ess = action4  ,i saw him ca/ a    
quick glance at ! o!rs4 ,= ! mom5t      
,dom9ick1 ,gage1 & ,k9sale seem$ to h   
=gott5 u 9 _! int]e/ expla9+ to ,norma  
:at _h be5 accompli%$ 9 h] abs5ce4 ,he  
seiz$ ! occasion to make an ev5 clos]   
exam9ation ( ! complicat$ app>atus4 ,s  
c>efully _h accid5t be5 gu>d$ aga9/ t   
ev5 a device = ! purification ( ! air _h
 be5 in/all$ 9 ! ma*9e :i* =c$ ! fre%   
air d[n to ! div]1 compress$4  ,x 0 ?is 
app>atus :i* ,i saw ,k5n$y /udy+ mo/1   
especially "o "p :]e ! air 0 pass$ ?r\gh
 a small *amb] conta9+ a *emical = !    
removal ( c>bon dioxide4 ,z he look$ up1
 ,i saw a peculi> expression on 8 face4 
,quickly he remov$ ! *emical1 leav+ !   
tube ?r\gh :i* ! air pass$ empty4  ,i   
?9k ! air w be pure en\gh )\t any su*   
treatm5t1 he rem>k$1 glanc+ ab\t to be  
sure no "o _h obs]v$4  ,h[ is t8 ,i     
inquir$1 eag]ly4  ,well1 y "k air is a  

me*anical mixture ( gases1 ma9ly oxyg5 &
 nitrog54 ,"h's some?+ t gives x an     
excess ( nitrog5 & a small] p]c5tage (  
oxyg54 ,nitrog5 is ! m dang]\s gas = "o 
"u compress$ air4 ,x is ! m in]t nitrog5
 t refuses to get out ( ! blood aft] "o 
has be5 "u pressure1 t =ms ! bubbles (  
gas :i* cause all ! tr\ble1 ! 'b5ds1'   
compress$-air sickness1 y "k4  ,!n t is 
h[ ,traynor di$8 ,i :isp]$1 com+ ha/ily 
to ! conclusion4 ,"s "o plac$ ! wrong   
salt 9 !re--took out oxyg51 add$        
nitrog51 in/ead ( remov+ c>bon dioxide8 
,norma _h turn$ t[>d u4 ,x 0 too e>ly = 
,k5n$y to accuse anybody1 :atev] might  
be 8 suspicions4 ,he c\ld n yet come f  
"u cov]4 ,i ?9k s1 0 all he repli$4  ,a 
mom5t lat] ! gr\p jo9$ u4 ,no "o has be5
 d[n on ! wreck yet8 inquir$ ,craig1 at 
:i* ,ev]son turn$ quickly to ! ?ree     
companions he _h left 9 *>ge1 himself   
anxi\s to "k4  ,no1 repli$ ,k9sale be=e 
any "o else c\ld answ]4 ,mr4 ,dom9ick   
?\ght we'd bett] wait until y came back4
  ,!n ,i %\ld l to be ! fir/1 cut 9     

,craig1 to my utt] surprise4            
,remon/rance _h no effect ) him4 ,nei!r 
,norma nor ,a/a c\ld dissuade him4 ,z = 
! re/ ( u1 our objections seem$ r to    
confirm him 9 8 purpose4  ,accord+ly1 9 
spite ( ! dang]1 :i* n[ no "o no m ?an  
he knew1 all ! prep>ations 7 made = !   
fir/ dive4 ,) ! aid ( ,k9sale1 :om ,i   
wat*$ closely1 ?\gh no m s ?an ,craig1  
he donn$ ! heavy suit ( rubb]iz$ re9=c$ 
canvas1 _h ! leads plac$ on 8 feet &    
f9ally 0 fitt$ ) ! metal head & ! bib--!
 :ole weigh+ h>dly %ort ( ?ree hundr$   
p\nds4 ,x 0 ) s]i\s misgiv+ t ,i saw him
 g ov] ! side ( ! trawl] & %oot d[n into
 ! wat] ) its d>k my/]y & trag$y4  ,!   
mom5ts t he 0 d[n seem$ int]m9able4     
,suspici\sly ,i wat*$ e move t ! m5     
made1 fe>ful t !y might d some?+4 ,i    
long$ = ! te*nical k t w\ld h enabl$ me 
to h&le ! app>atus4 ,i tri$ to quiet my 
fe>s by reason+ t ,craig mu/ h _h p]fect
 confid5ce 9 ! value ( 8 discov]y if he 
7 will+ to risk 8 life on x1 yet ,i felt
 t at lea/ a %[ ( vigilance on my "p    

might bluff any "o (f f an attempt to   
tamp] aga9 ) ! air-supply4 ,i /uck ab\t 
closely4  ,yet1 :5 !re came a ha/y      
signal on ! indicator f bel[1 al?\gh ,i 
felt t he _h be5 d[n = ages1 ,i knew t x
 _h be5 only a v %ort "t4 ,c\ld x be a  
signal ( tr\ble8 ,_h "s "o aga9 tamp]$ )
 ! app>atus8  ,w\ld !y nev] br+ him up8 
,x seem$ z if !y 7 work+ fe>fully sl[4  
,i rememb]$ h[ quickly he _h %ot d[n4   
,:at _h seem$ !n only a matt] ( seconds 
& m9utes n[ seem$ h\rs4 ,x 0 only by %e]
 w p[] t ,i re/ra9$ myself z ,i realiz$ 
t go+ "u ! air pressure might be done   
safely q fa/1 t he mu/ come out sl[ly1  
by /ages1 t ov] ! telephone t connect$ )
 8 helmet he 0 direct+ ! decompression 9
 accordance ) ! late/ k t m$ical sci5ce 
_h d]iv$ ( h[ to avoid ! dread caisson  
disease4  ,i don't "k :5 ,i h felt m    
relief ?an ,i did at see+ 8 weird       
headge> appe> at ! surface4 ,! dang] f !
 b5ds might n be entirely ov] yet1 b at 
lea/ x 0 ,craig himself1 safe1 at la/4  
,z he came ov] ! side ( ! trawl] ,i ran 

to him4 ,x 0 l try+ to greet a giant 9 t
 outl&i% suit :i* 0 s clumsy out ( !    
wat]4 ,craig's back 0 turn$ to ! o!rs1 &
 :5 ,i realiz$ ! reason ,i /ood agha/4  
,he _h br\ght up a skull & _h h&$ !     
gruesome ?+ to me ) a motion ( secrecy4 
,mean:ile he ha/5$ to get out ( !       
cumb]some suit1 &1 to my delight1 %[$ no
 evid5ce yet ( any bad effects4  ,t he  
%\ld h made ! desc5t & return$ s        
successfully ,i felt mu/ be a surprise  
to "s "o4 ,:o 0 x8 ,i c\ld n help ?9k+ (
 ,k9sale aga94 ,0 he work+ = two ma/]s8 
,0 he /ill employ$ by ! insurance       
company8 ,0 ?is a s*eme to capture all !
 ri* salvage ( ! %ip in/ead ( t p]c5tage
 to :i* ,ev]son _h secur$ an agreem5t ) 
! und]writ]s8  ,k5n$y lo/ no "t 9 gett+ 
back to ! ,belle ,av5ture ) ! skull :i* 
,i _h conceal$ = him4 ,x 0 a /range     
burd5 & ,i 0 n loa? to resign x to him4 
,none ( ! o!rs1 app>5tly1 knew t he _h  
br\ght up any?+ ) him1 & to all que/ions
 he repli$ z ?\gh he _h m]ely be5 te/+  
out ! app>atus &1 except 9 a mo/ cursory

 way1 _h n made an exam9ation ( ! %ip1  
al?\gh :at he _h obs]v$ confirm$ !      
inve/igations !y _h already made f !    
surface4  ,9 our cab91 ,k5n$y set to "w 
imm$iately aft] op5+ 8 travel+          
laboratory & tak+ f x a small kit (     
tools & "s mat]ials t look$ almo/ l ^? =
 an actor's make-up4  ,i saw t he wi%$  
to be left alone & retir$ z gracefully z
 ,i c\ld1 det]m9$ to employ ! "t 9 wat*+
 ! o!rs4 ,i f\nd ,norma seat$ 9 "o ( !  
wick] *airs on ! aft]-deck1 talk+       
e>ne/ly ) ,dom9ick1 &1 hesitat+ :e!r ,i 
%\ld int]rupt !m1 ,i paus$ betwe5 !     
libr>y & ! sumptu\sly fitt$ ma9 saloon4 
,i 0 glad t ,i did1 = j t mom5t (       
hesitation 0 en\gh = me to surprise a   
man pe]+ out at !m ?r\gh ! curta9s ( a  
w9d[1 ) e evid5ce ( int5se dislike ( !  
situation4 ,look+ clos]1 ,i saw t x 0   
,gage4 ,_h ,i expect$ any?+ ( ! sort ,i 
%\ld h gone ev5 m cauti\sly4 ,z x 01    
?\gh ,i surpris$ him1 he he>d me 9 "t to
 conceal 8 real int5tions by "s trivial 
action4  ,x seem$ z if our arrival _h   

be5 succe$$ by a gr[? ( suspicion among 
! memb]s ( ! little p>ty4 ,ea*1 z f> z  
,i c\ld make out1 0 n[ on gu>d1 &1      
rememb]+ t ,k5n$y _h (t5 said t t 0 a   
mo/ fruitful "t1 s9ce x 0 j "u su*      
circum/ances t ev5 ! clev]e/ c\ld n help
 incrim9at+ himself1 ,i ha/5$ back to   
let ,craig "k h[ matt]s 74 ,he 0 at "w  
n[ on a mo/ grotesque labor1 &1 z he    
plac$ on x ! f9i%+ t\*es1 he talk$      
ab/ract$ly4  ,:at ,i am us+1 ,walt]1 he 
expla9$1 might be call$ a new art4      
,lately sci5ce has p]fect$ ! difficult  
process ( recon/ruct+ ! faces ( human   
be+s ( :om only ! skull or a few bones1 
p]haps1 are obta9able4  ,to ! unskill$  
obs]v] a fle%less skull pres5ts little  
human lik5ess & c]ta9ly conveys no      
notion ( ! exact appe>ance 9 life ( !   
p]son to :om x belong$4 ,b by an +5i\s  
sy/em ( build+ up muscles & sk9 ^u !    
bones ( ! skull ?is appe>ance c be      
reproduc$ ) sci5tific accuracy4  ,!     
me?od1 ,i might say1 has be5 work$ out  
indep5d5tly by ,pr(essor von ,froriep1 9

 ,g]many1 & by ,dr4 ,h5ri ,m>t91 9      
,france4 ,its ess5tial pr9ciple consi/s 
9 asc]ta9+ f ! exam9ation ( _m corpses !
 normal ?ickness ( fle% t ov]lies a     
c]ta9 bone 9 a c]ta9 type ( face4 ,f ^! 
calculations ! sci5ti/s by elaborate    
processes build up a face on ! skull4   
,i wat*$ him1 ) an uncontrollable       
fasc9ation4 ,= in/ance1 he w5t on1 a    
c]ta9 type ( bone always has ne>ly !    
same ?ickness ( muscle ov] x4 ,a v f9e  
ne$le ) graduations ( hundr$?s ( an in* 
is us$ 9 ^! measurem5ts4 ,z ,i h done   
"h1 a great numb] ( t9y pla/] pyramids  
v>y+ 9 height accord+ to ! measurem5ts  
obta9$ by ^! rese>*es are built up ov] !
 skull1 repres5t+ ! ?ickness ( !        
muscles4 ,! next /ep w be to connect !m 
toge!r by a lay] ( clay ! surface ( :i* 
is flu% ) ! tips ( ! pyramids4 ,!n wax &
 grease pa9t & a little hair w complete 
x4 ,y see1 x is really sci5tific        
re/oration ( ! face4 ,i mu/ f9i% x4     
,mean:ile1 ,i wi% y w\ld wat* ,norma4   
,i'll jo9 y 9 a %ort "t4  ,norma 0 n on 

deck :5 ,i return$1 nor did ,i see any  
"o else = "s "t4 ,i walk$ =w>d1 & paus$ 
at ! door to ! little wireless-room on !
 ya*t1 int5d+ to ask ! op]ator if he _h 
se5 h]4  ,:]e's ,mr4 ,k5n$y8 he inquir$1
 be=e ,i _h a *ance to put my own "q4   
,"s "o has be5 9 ?is wireless-room ?is  
morn+ & mu/ h be5 s5d+ messages4 ,?+s   
ar5't z ,i left !m4 ,i ?9k he ought to  
"k4  ,j !n ,ev]son himself came up f    
bel[1 8 face almo/ z :ite z ! pa9t on ! 
sides ( 8 ya*t4 ,)\t a ^w1 he drew me   
aside1 look+ ab\t fe>fully z ?\gh he 7  
afraid ( be+ ov]he>d4 ,i've j discov]$  
half a doz5 /icks ( dynamite 9 ! hold1  
he :isp]$1 ho>sely1 />+ wide-ey$ at me4 
,!re 0 a tim+ device1 set = to-night4   
,i've sev]$ x4 ,:]e's ,k5n$y8  ,y\r     
wireless has be5 tamp]$ )1 too1 ,i      
blurt$ out1 tell+ :at ,i _h j le>n$4    
,we look$ at ea* o!r blankly4 ,cle>ly "s
 "o _h plott$ to bl[ up ! ya*t & all ( u
 on bo>d4 ,)\t ano!r ^w1 ,i took 8 arm &
 we walk$ t[>d our /ate-room1 :]e ,k5n$y
 0 at "w4 ,z we ent]$ ! n>r[ passage to 

x ,i he>d l[ voices4 ,"s "o 0 !re be=e  
u4 ,k5n$y _h %ut ! door & 0 talk+ 9 !   
hall4 ,z we turn$ ! corn] ,i saw t x 0  
,norma1 :om ,i _h =gott5 9 ! surprise ( 
! two discov]ies t _h be5 s sudd5ly     
made4  ,z we approa*$ %e glanc$         
significantly at ,k5n$y z if appeal+ to 
him to tell some?+4 ,be=e he c\ld speak1
 ,ev]son himself int]rupt$1 tell+ ( 8   
discov]y ( ! dynamite & ( :at ! wireless
 op]ator _h f\nd4  ,!re 0 a l[          
exclamation f ,norma4 ,x's a plot to    
kidnap me6 %e cri$1 9 a smo!r$ voice4   
,pr(essor ,k5n$y--,i told y ,i ?\ght s6 
,ev]son & ,i c\ld only look our         
inquiries at ! />tl+ new turn ( ev5ts4  
,miss ,san=d has j be5 to h] /ate-room1 
ha/ily expla9$ ,craig4 ,!re %e f\nd t "s
 "o _h c>efully pack$ up a numb] ( h]   
?+s & hidd5 !m1 z if wait+ a *ance to   
get !m (f safely4 ,i ?9k h] intuition is
 correct4 ,!re w\ld be no motive =      
robb]y--"h4  ,va9ly ,i tri$ to reason x 
out4 ,z ,i ?\ght1 ,i recall$ t ,gage _h 
seem$ insanely jeal\s ( bo? ,dom9ick &  

,k9sale1 :5ev] he saw ei!r ) ,norma4    
,did ,gage "k m ab\t ^! my/]i\s happ5+s 
?an appe>$8 ,:y _h he s p]si/5tly s\ght 
h]8 ,_h ,norma in/9ctively fl$ f 8      
att5tions8  ,:]e are ! o!rs8 ask$       
,craig1 quickly4 ,i turn$ to ,ev]son4 ,i
 _h n yet _h "t to f9d out4  ,gone back 
to ! trawl]1 he repli$4  ,signal !m to  
come abo>d "h directly1 ord]$ ,craig4   
,x seem$ an int]m9able "t z ! message 0 
brok5 out 9 flags to ! trawl]1 :i* 0 n  
equipp$ ) ! wireless4 ,ev5 ! ha/y       
explanation :i* ,k5n$y _h to give to    
,a/a ,ev]son1 z %e came out ( h] cab91  
wond]+ :]e ,orr9 _h gone1 s]v$ only to  
increase ! susp5se4 ,x 0 z ?\gh we 7    
liv+ ov] a p[d]-magaz9e t ?reat5$ to    
explode at any mom5t4 ,:at did ! trea*]y
 ( "o memb] ( ! exp$ition mean8 ,above  
all1 :o 0 x8  ,we _h be5 s int5t wat*+ f
 ! deck ! all too sl[ approa* ( ! little
 p[]-boat f ! trawl] t we _h paid no    
att5tion to :at 0 on our o!r qu>t]4  ,a 
tug approa*+1 sir1 report$ ! man on wat*
 to ,ev]son4 ,seems to be head+ = u1    

sir4  ,we turn$ to look4 ,:o 0 %e1 fri5d
 or foe8 ,we knew n :at to expect4      
,ev]son1 pale b ) a firm grip on 8      
n]ves1 did n move f ! deck z ! p[]-boat 
came alongside1 & ,dom9ick1 ,gage1 &    
,k9sale swung !mselves up ! ladd] to u4 
,x's ! tug ( t pilot1 ,guit]as1 sir1    
int]pos$ ! man :o _h spok5 be=e4 ,n a ^w
 0 spok51 ?\gh ,i fanci$ t a quiet smile
 flitt$ ov] ,k5n$y's face z we wait$4   
,! tug rang$ up alongside u4 ,to my utt]
 a/oni%m5t1 ,i saw ,dolores1 h] black   
eyes eag]ly scann+ our faces4 ,0 %e     
look+ = ,gage1 ,i wond]$8 ,x 0 only a   
mom5t :5 ! p>ty t _h put out f ! tug    
also came tumbl+ abo>d4  ,i got y\r     
message1 ,k5n$y1 & br\ght ,guit]as4 ,he 
w\ldn't jo9 ! exp$ition1 b he ?\ght m ( 
8 daught] ?an ( any?+ else4  ,x 0       
,k5more1 :o _h at la/ a*iev$ 8 wi% to   
get on ! treasure-hunt /ory4 ,ev]son    
look$ inquir+ly at ,craig4  ,message8   
repeat$ ,k5n$y4 ,i s5t no message4  ,x 0
 ,k5more's turn to />e4 ,_h "s "o hoax$ 
him into a wild-goose *ase1 aft] all8   

,no?+8 ,ab\t ,dolores be+ des]t$1 &--   
,he %all m>ry my daught]6 boom$ a gruff 
voice z ,guit]as %\ld]$ 8 way ?r\gh !   
little gr\p1 8 h& %oot+ back to a pocket
 :]e bulg$ a huge ,colt4  ,l a fla%     
,k5n$y1 :o _h be5 wat*+1 caught 8 wri/4 
,j a second1 ,capta91 he %\t$1 !n turn$ 
to u1 speak+ rapidly & excit$ly4 ,?is ?+
 has all be5 c>efully1 diabolically laid
 out4 ,all :o /ood 9 ! way ( ! :ole ( ! 
treasure 7 to be elim9at$4 ,"o p]son has
 s\ght to get x all--at any co/4  ,9    
,craig's own h& n[ gleam$ a deadly      
automatic :ile ) ! o!r he held          
,guit]as's wri/4  ,b1 he add$1 t5sely1  
an insane passion has wreck$ ! desp]ate 
s*eme4 ,a woman has be5 play+ a         
"p--lead+ ! man on to 8 own de/ruction 9
 ord] to save ! man %e really loves4  ,i
 look$ ov] at ,norma4 ,%e 0 pale &      
agitat$1 !n burn+ & n]v\s by turns4 ,x 0
 only by a mo/ h]oic ef=t t %e seem$    
able to re/ra9 h]self1 h] eyes rivet$ on
 ,k5n$y's face1 weigh+ e ^w to see :e!r 
x balanc$ ) a feel+ 9 h] own he>t4  ,!  

,antilles1 %ot out ,k5n$y1 sudd5ly1 0   
burn$ & sunk1 n by accid5t1 b ) a       
purpose4 ,t purpose has run ?r\gh all ! 
ev5ts ,i h se5--! use ( ,mr4 ,ev]son1 8 
ya*t1 8 money1 8 influ5ce4 ,come6 ,he   
/rode d[n ! passage to our /ate-room1 & 
we foll[$ 9 aw$ sil5ce4  ,x is a va/1   
da/>dly crime--to get ! ,mexican        
millions1 he w5t on1 paus+1 8 h& on !   
knob ( ! door :ile we cr[d$ ! n>r[      
passage4 ,i h br\ght up f ! wreck a     
skull :i* ,i f\nd ne> a safe1 unlock$ s 
t entrance w\ld be easy4 ,! skull %[s   
pla9ly t ! man _h be5 hit on ! head by  
"s blunt in/rum5t1 cru%+ him4 ,_h he    
discov]$ some?+ t x 0 inconv5i5t to "k8 
,y h he>d ! /ories ( ! ill-fat$ %ip--   
,craig flung op5 ! door sudd5ly4 ,we saw
 a weird face--! head app>5tly /ream+   
blood f a gha/ly w\nd4 ,!re 0 a %rill   
cry beside me4  ,x's 8 gho/--,capta9    
,driggs6 ,god save me--x's 8 gho/ come  
to haunt me & claim ! treasure6  ,i     
turn$ quickly4 ,dom9ick _h brok5 d[n4   
,y 7--j lead+ him on--tell me--,norma4  

,i turn$ aga9 quickly4 ,x 0 ,gage1 :o _h
 tak5 ,norma's h&1 quiv]+ ) excitem5t4  
,y nev] c>$ = h]8 %e ask$1 ) ! anxiety t
 %[$ h[ 9 h] he>t %e lov$ him4  ,nev]4  
,x 0 "p ( ! plot4 ,i s5t ! message to   
get h] "h to %[ y4 ,i didn't "k y 7     
play+ a game--  ,sudd5ly ! %>p crack ( a
 pi/ol almo/ deaf5$ u 9 ! close         
passageway4 ,z ! smoke cle>$1 ,i saw    
,dolores1 h] eyes blaz+ ) hatr$1        
jeal\sy1 rev5ge4 ,9 h] h& 0 ! pi/ol %e  
_h wr5*$ f h] fa!r4  ,on ! floor across 
! door-sill sprawl$ a figure4 ,dom9ick  
_h paid ! price ( 8 fai?lessness to h]  
also4  ,,! ,,end