The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

THE GOLD DELUGE. 467 Erik pointed to a large glass bowl, the bottom of which contained a brown powder several inches high, out of which, here and there, a few shiny grains glimmered; all of it was covered by a fluid, clear as water. Hrik was busying himself removing this fluid with a dipper. Engelsted was surprised for a moment, and compelled to admit that some- thing strange had occurred, and still dubious, said that he wished to convince himself as to what kind of ‘‘stuff’’ it really was. For this purpose he placed a small quantity of the powder on a glass plate with a spatula, and then left the room. ‘The privy councilor carefully dusted off a chair with his handkerchief, examined it carefully, and seated himself while Erik gradu- ally evaporated the powder. | After fifteen minutes the chief chemist returned, his face a fiery red color, and threw the glass plate he still held in his hand on the table with such violence that it shivered into many pieces. He first stared at Erik and then at the privy councilor, who attempted to look bored. ‘Tt is true !’’ the chemist finally ejaculated. The words were forced out unwillingly. ‘‘ 7rue/ But how can it be so?’’ He turned to Erik, and with violent emotions playing on his countenance, he asked, ‘‘ Atomic vibration ; is it not so?”’ ‘Ves,’’ Erik replied, and both scientists exchanged glances of profound understanding. ‘““T congratulate you, Mr. Poulsen !’’ exclaimed the chemist at last, and grasped Erik by the hand. ‘My God!’ gasped the councilor. ‘‘ Then it is really true ? -Mr. Engel- sted, do you assure me on your solemn word of honor that all this is fact ? What a terrible misfortune !’’ | Both the scientists glanced at him in surprise, as he continued in feverish excitement, ‘‘ Not one word to any living soul, do you hear? You must swear it to me, gentlemen, positively swear it—at least until I consult with higher authorities. It is necessary—absolutely so. I depend upon you, Mr. Poulsen. You will hear from me before the day is over.’’ Unutterably confused, he grasped his hat and suddenly disappeared, but immediately thereafter poked his head intothe door. ‘‘ Do you understand ?’’ he repeated. ‘‘ Silence is absolutely—positively—peremptorily required !’’ And he vanished without waiting for an answer. CHAPTER IV.—THE GOVERNMENT ALARMED. AFTER Erik had left the laboratory, he half regretted his haste in so sur- prising the people at the bank. What good would it do him? He had fol- lowed only the impulse of the moment, and soon the rumor would be current all over town without finding any believers. What did the councilor mean by his strict injunctions? Was Erik not to speak of his discovery so as not to stampede the stock exchange? ‘That he surely could not, as a scientist, take into consideration. ‘The exchange was as much a matter of indifference to him as the world at large. No, he decided that he had dallied long enough ; he would now begin to work earnestly. Commiclooolks 5}