University of Santa Clara - Redwood Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

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12 THE REDWOOD with turbaned head and loose flowing robes glided from a dark room at the other end of the building into the laboratory before me. The figure paused for a moment, then moved quietly to the door and stood framed there in the narrow archway. It was the priest; a man of years, with a great long white beard, and deep dark eyes set beneath overhanging brows that gave him a preter- natural aspect. Satisfying himself that no one was about, he went back into the room and stood before a large, queerly constructed cage. I had not noticed the cage before, but now, that it seemed to be a thing of interest, I looked attentively and saw that it contained a monkey of more than ordinary size. What part a monkey could play in Raba ' s laboratory puzzled me and I crossed the hedge and moved closer to the window through which I now had a perfect view of the room. The priest drew a small vial from beneath his robes and at the same time opening the cage he seized the monkey, and poured the contents of the vial into his mouth. In a few moments the poor dumb creature disappeared, and the priest with a smile of contentment closed the cage and gazed at the vial wonderingly. A cold nervous perspiration covered my face, my hair stood on ends, I was excited but it was the excitement of victory. I knew the Raba ' s secret. It was Phceba! Quicker than thought I formed my plan. Running noiselessly over the grass to the window which opened into the closet on the other end of the building, I gazed anxiously into the interior. The light in the laboratory had been extinguished; all now was dark and as I softly lifted the window I heard the retiring footsteps of the chemist. Then in all haste I climbed into the room, struck a match and held it high over my head. By a strange piece of good fortune, my eyes fell directly on a small narrow bottle containing a colorless fluid. I examined it carefully. Just enough was missing to account for the contents of the vial, the cork was but half pressed into the neck and I perceived several drops of the liquid on the table. It was evident to me that this was the mysterious Phceba or that I was as near to it as I could ever hope to be. I accordingly seized the bottle (in the interest of science, I thought at the time, though

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THE REDWOOD ii whither I was going, and that though the secret was known to several of the native priests, they failed to utilize their knowledge except for purposes of magic. Thus a vehement desire to study the wonders of the drug seized on me and with little thought of my wireless telegraphy, I reflected night and day on the possibil- ities of ' Thoeba. The night before we reached Calcutta, I was introduced to a certain Major Brigham Hudson, a retired officer of the English Lancers, who, desirous to set up a wireless telegraphic station at Port Arthur, and unable to gain an entrance, had determined to while away his time in India. As we were both of a scientific temperament, we passed many hours discussing the various prob- lems confronting the world today. He was all wireless telegraphy, I was all ' Thoeba, and the result of our many conversations was this: that if I succeeded in getting into Port Arthurhe would pay me the sum of ten thousand dollars and defray all my incidental ex- penses, i agreed, of course, and added that, if in twenty days he did not hear from me, he could call the bargain off. He was to await the result at Bosia, where the English had already estab- lished a station in the hope of receiving messages from the seat of war. So much for the Major; I had now to arrange matters with my American companions. This was easily done however, for when I explained the nature of my coming venture, they agreed to do my share of the work and to await with patience for my return. I accordingly left them for Berga, where, rumor had it, the cele- brated priest Raba performed his wonderful preternatural feats. If there was such a thing as Phoeba it would surely be found here and I determined to watch the priest. One night as I wan- dered down to the hedge that surrounded the magician ' s home and gazed through a window on the ground floor I could see, by the dim light of an oriental lamp, a number of glass tubes, jars, mortars, and other chemical instruments that made it evident to me that I was gazing into Raba ' s laboratory. The light was to me a sufficient indication that he was about to experiment, and curi- osity urged me to conceal myself behind the hedge and to await developments. As I was thus gazing into the lighted chamber, a tall figure

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THE REDWOOD 13 on further reflection I think I must in some way repay the priest) and with it I hastened to my abode. Realizing that the priest would miss his precious liquid in the morning and in all probability suspect me, his nearest neighbor, I decided on my course immediately. My valise containing the telegraphic receiver and transmitter was the first victim of Phoeba. I poured the liquid over it and in a moment it was invisible. I felt and ascertained that it was still there but I could not see it. The success of this first trial made me bold and in a moment I had all my clothes piled in a heap before me and with a. generous dose of the mysterious fluid they were soon out of sight When I put them on (which was a difficult operation, for I had to proceed as one blind and trust to the touch) I walked over to my mirror to examine matters. I think I would have fainted had I not been prepared for the phenomenon. There in mid-air without any apparent support I beheld my face, ghastly pale, I must con- fess, but for all that clothed in a smile of satisfaction. My only difficulty now was to do away with my face and the thought that my clothes remained, the same, though invisible, moved me to the final test. After a brief pause, a shudder and a moment ' s hesita- tion, I seized the bottle and swallowed several mouthfuls. There was no taste and for a few seconds no effect. Soon, however, I began to tremble and to twitch convulsively, I grew dizzy, my head pained, the room went round and round and I was mov- ing, it seemed, in quick nervous jerks. I remained that way for some time ; but when the sickly feel- ing had passed away I felt as if nothing at all had happened. I gazed about inquiringly; the room was just the same, the light flickered in the soft breeze that crept through the half open window and I was almost afraid that my plan of transformation had failed. Again I walked over to the mirror, and though I saw distinctly the reflection of everything that came within the angle of the glass, there was not the slightest image of Roger Wilkins Dodge. All was in readiness now. I,orrather Phoebe had conquered and with invisible grip in hand and myself invisible I started towards the dock whence, I understood, a steamer was soon to sail to Yokohama. At twelve I was aboard and at three well out on the waters traveling carte blanche with all the comforts of a big