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

Page 33 text:

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

Page 32 text:

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

Page 34 text:

14 THE REDWOOD liner and the excitement of my extraordinary predicament. I slept in an unoccupied stateroom and was occasionally amused to hear the purser call attention to the draught that opened the door as I entered or came from the room. Another little variety con- sisted in what was evidently very annoying to the other folks. Oftentimes when the steamer rocked I would sway up against a neighbor and stand back to witness the look of wonderment and awe that followed. Arriving at Yokohama I found to my very great pleasure that the Imperial Nakiti was to sail for Port Arthur on the follow- ing morning. I boarded her of course and we steamed out as scheduled shortly before sunrise on the following day. I thus reached the port, entered without any difficulty and hastened to send a wireless message to my friend in India. It was the nineteenth day of my bargain and I was anxious to catch the Major before the day passed. After an hour or two of constant messages I received the long wished for answer. The Major was delighted with my success, stated that he had deposited the money in my name at the National Bank of Calcutta and re- quested me to keep him informed on all the movements of the two armies. I have been doing so for the last three days now but this invisible life is becoming monotonous and I am anxious to solve the problem of re-transformation. If you happen to hit on anything that has this property, please send it at once to Your Humble Servant, Rodger Wilkins Dod ge, The Invisible. Martin V. Mkrlk, Jun. Special. AUTUMN The winds of autumn wail and sigh Among the gnarled branches old. The far long reaches of the sky Have lost their purple and their gold; And thou, my heart forlorn, e en thou Must sorrow with the leafless bough. Raymond Cavkri.y, ' o8.