CHAPTER XV What The Book Revealed
Midnight lights burned brightly in the Fairaday laboratory. A group oftense watchers, Madge and Mr. Brownell, Jack, and Mr. and Mrs. Brady,stood watching Anne who was busy at the work table. Clyde Wendell,guarded by a forest ranger, sat propped carelessly back in his chair, alook of amused contempt on his face.
"Well, I'm afraid it's a failure," Anne said in a subdued tone. Shesmiled bravely but her face was wan. "We've tested each page except theback cover."
Jack looked accusingly at Wendell.
"You could tell us how to bring out that formula if you would!"
"Perhaps, if there were a formula," the chemist retorted. "Now that thisnonsense is over, am I free to go?"
"You are not."
All eyes focused upon Anne as she gave the final sheet the chemical testwhich had been applied to the other pages. As she removed it from theiodine bath a few minutes later, Madge, who was close at her friend'sside, bent closer. Scattered lines, at first indistinct and unconnected,gradually as if by magic, lengthened and conformed into writtencharacters.
"It's the formula!" she cried exultingly.
Mr. Brownell moved nearer. His face, passive until now, became animated.He studied the page which Anne held up for his inspection and then saidquietly: "It's the genuine thing. Miss Fairaday, I congratulate you."
For a few minutes Clyde Wendell was forgotten. When Madge looked at himshe saw that he had lost his arrogant assurance. He arose and with agesture of submission faced Jack.
"You win. I didn't think Miss Fairaday could bring out the writing. Isuppose this means prison for me. I'm ready to leave whenever you say."
"Why did you do it?" Madge asked. "Can't you explain?"
For the first time, the chemist appeared slightly ashamed.
"It's a long story," he said slowly. "Mr. Fairaday and I never clickedvery well. He didn't trust me and I resented it. At first I helped himwith his rust prevention experiments, then he began to work in secret. Iguessed that he had made an important discovery. I watched him andlearned that he had written the formula in that book."
He indicated the dismantled "Kim," smiling wryly.
"Before I had a chance to read the formula, Mr. Fairaday discharged me. Ifound another job. Then three months ago I lost it. I thought I'd developa rust prevention formula of my own because I was hard up for money. Ifound I couldn't do it. Then I read of Mr. Fairaday's death and knowingthat he had never done anything with his formula in a commercial way, Idecided to come here and see if I could get it. You know the rest."
"Then you were the one who entered the house that night?" Anne demanded."You were searching for the book."
"Yes, I wasn't after the silver. I took that merely to throw you off thetrack. I'm not a common thief. I don't know what made me try to steal theformula. When a fellow's down and out--broke--well, I guess things lookdifferent."
Anne, Madge and Jack held a private conference. Presently, Anne turnedagain to Clyde.
"I've decided not to testify against you," she said. "I'm sure Fatherwouldn't want me to. I have the formula and that's all that reallymatters. I believe you're sorry for what you did."
"I am sorry," the chemist mumbled, avoiding her eyes. "You're more decentthan I deserve."
"As far as the canoe is concerned, the boys will be willing to drop thecharge," Jack added.
"And Aunt Madge just said she wouldn't press the board and room bill,"Madge interposed. "You can pay it later."
"You're free to go," Jack told him. "Clear out and be glad you got off soeasily."
After the chemist had left, the atmosphere became more friendly. Annerefused to talk business that night but the following day she conferredwith Mr. Brownell and to the delight of her friends sold the formula fora sum which guaranteed her a modest income for life. Her first act was topay off the mortgage on her house and island, and then, to Jake Curtis'bitter anger, she refused to even discuss a sale with him. Mr. Brownellhad taken a great liking to Loon Lake and upon learning that Anneintended to live with an aunt in the city, he offered her a price for herproperty which left her quite dazed. Madge urged her to sell, and afterbrief negotiations, she arranged all details of the transaction to hersatisfaction.
With business matters cleared away, Anne spent a few weeks at the lodgebefore leaving for the east. The days were crammed with good times and itwas difficult for the girls to say goodbye.
"I owe everything to you," Anne said for perhaps the hundredth time, asthey stood at the railway station awaiting the train. "I'll never forgetthis summer and all you've done for me, Madge. I'll come back and see youoften too."
The train that carried Anne to New York brought Madge a letter--aninvitation to spend two weeks at Cheltham Bay, cruising aboard theluxurious Burnett yacht. As she dispatched an enthusiastic acceptance,she little dreamed of the exciting adventure that awaited her. The storyof Madge's queer reception at Cheltham Bay is recounted in the secondvolume of this series, entitled: "The Deserted Yacht."
Jack French did not accept the news of Madge's intended departure verycheerfully.
"Why, I've scarcely had a chance to see you this summer," he protested asthey walked alone one evening. "Here you're leaving in a week and I'dmade all sorts of plans."
"You know you'll be too busy to even miss me," Madge teased.
She was surprised at the look which came into Jack's eyes.
"I'll miss you like everything, and you know it too, imp! Since the dayyou came to Loon Lake, just an undersized, freckled kid, you've been theonly girl for me. You're the sweetest--" he broke off.
"Go on!" Madge urged, laughing.
Jack shook his head and smiled.
"No, until you grow a few years you must take it for granted. But whileyou're at Cheltham Bay you might think of me once in a while. And don'tbe too surprised if you see me!"
He took her hand and together they went down to the lake to watch themoon rise over the spruce ridges.
THE END
Transcriber's Notes
--Silently corrected several palpable typos in spelling and punctuation
--Added a list of the books in the series to the title page
--Left the original copyright notice unchanged, although the book is public domain in the U.S. (author date of death is 2002).
--As the original book jacket was unavailable, provided an image of the title page instead.
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