Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 189, No. 4 — page 126: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

By JOHN WILSTACH Author of ‘' Forged Faces,’’ etc. CHAPTER XIX. A DOUBLE ASSIGNMENT. CIENTISTS and inventors are the most impractical of men,” continued Chief Merritt, “I suppose because of working so exclusively in the realm of the abstract. Robinson, a great leader in bi- ology and agronomics, immensely learned in the diseases peculiar to plants, and their organic functions, history, origin, and ge- ography, is a child when it comes to every- day affairs. But if anything interferes with his work he is keen enough. Read this letter from him.” Merritt handed me a sheet of paper he had open on his desk. Mr. Temper Merritt, Federal Narcotic Bureau, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir—Knowing your interest in my efforts, the importance of which I trust you have not magnified, it is my duty to inform you that I have received several suspicious visitors to my little island, presumably te buy my home and property, which will not be for sale during my lifetime. My distrust was aroused by inquiries about the progress of my work and a general man- ner of unwarranted snooping. I may sur- mise, too, that the remarks of my visitors show they have some inkling of the end toward which my present efforts are directed. I am alone here with an old housekeeper, Sam Bigelow, my son being away at the present time, and further inform you that he has been approached with veiled talk of bribes on his trips to the mainland for supplies. So it has occurred to me that a young as- sistant, a doctor preferably, as I favor near me one trained in scientific habits of observa- tion, would be an advisable help at present. {f you can engage the services of such a man, kindly make all arrangements and rush him on directly. I do not wish to be an alarmist, but some one to act as a guard would bring about the piece of mind most necessary to intensive research. Sincerely, Martcotm RoBINnson. This story began in the Argosy-Allstory Weekly for September 10. $96 EORICLOO© (F@)