We entered our laboratory which Kennedy had closed the day before.
With shades drawn, it now looked deserted enough.
I dropped into a chair and lighted a cigarette with a sigh of
relief, for really I had thought, until the boat sailed, that
Kennedy actually contemplated going away.
Kennedy went over to a cabinet and, from it, took out a notebook
and a small box. Opening the notebook on the laboratory table, he
rapidly turned the pages.
"Here, Walter," he remarked. "This will answer your questions
about the mysterious deadly ray."
I moved over to the table, eager to satisfy my curiosity and read
the notes which he indicated with his finger.
INFRA-RED RAY NOTES
The infra-red ray which has been developed by LeCroix from the
experiments of the Italian scientist Ulivi causes, when
concentrated by an apparatus perfected by LeCroix, an
instantaneous combustion of nonreflecting surfaces. It is
particularly deadly in its effect on the brain centers.
It can be diverted, it is said however, by a shield composed of
platinum backed by asbestos.
Next Kennedy opened the case which he had taken out of the cabinet
and from it he took out the platinum-asbestos mirror, which was
something of his own invention. He held it up and in pantomime
showed me just how it would cut off the deadly rays.
He had not finished even that, when a peculiar noise in the
laboratory itself disturbed him and he hastily thrust the asbestos
platinum shield into his pocket.
Pages:
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200