THE DEATH CAMERA

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2901, 10 January 1911, Page 2

THE DEATH CAMERA

ERNEST H. STEPHENS.

[copyright.] ?ON the desk before me, as I fdt writing, is a lantern slide. Perhaps'it is the most remarkable specimen of its kind in existence, because, if you were to see the shadow it throws upon the screen the colour would go •hivering away from your cheeks, and a cold moisture would form upon ymr face and hands. Three times have I looked upon the terrible picture it hag cast upon the screen, and so deeply has the sight fixed itself in my memory that no power on earth conld induce ne to gaze upon it again. I would shatter the plate into a thousand fragments before I would allow my eyes to rest upon the picture it reveal*.

There is no suggestion of the horror to which I refer, disclosed by an examination of the slide itself, otherwise I would never permit it to remain upon my desk. All that is to be seen at a first glance is a very small, dark circle. Upon closer examination the circle appears to be surrounded by an ellipse, hut it is so shadowy that even its form is difficult to discern. To all outward appearances that is all. And yet there is something on the slide which once seen can never be forgotten, and there is a story connected with it which is almost too marvellous to believe.

For the last foar years I have resided in a fashionable West End suburb. My name and the profession I follow areengraved upon a brass !>late fixed to the wall of my house, on the eft. hand side of the hall door. The writing reads as follows: "Cyril Rvlgway, MD, , Physician and Surgeonand although a : comparatively young man my practice is a very extensive one. About ten o'clock one morning, a little more than a fortnight ago, I was standing in my oonaulting-room, with my back to tbe mantelpiece, thinking of the strange discovery I had made an hour previously while experimenting with the new electrograpby. I had been endeavouring to arrive at a process for securing a portrait of the human brain, and had stood before the camera exposing, as I thought, the centre of my forehead to the action of the lens. Upon development, | however, I discovered that tbe camera Jiad ' been tilted too low, and all that was visible upon the plate was a faint circle, which when , thrown upon tie screen proved to be my eye. In the centre of the eye-ball, however, as | enlarged by a very powerful limelightlanteni, 1 I could distinctly trace the outline of several ■ faces. The impressions were ioo blurred and confused to permit me to recognise any of the ; features, but it seemed to me thut the only ' explanation of this remarkable phenomenon ! was that durintr the time I had stood before 1 the camera these persons whose faces were j recorded must have been actually in my | thoughts. j I was pondering over this strange discovery ; when the door of tbe rootn opened, and a I gentleman advanced towards me. He was a j tall man, perhaps 50 years old, with a clean- ' cut handsome f«ce, and well trimmed : moustache. His hair was iron-gray, his j mouth was large and firm, while from ' beneath a pair of long shaggy eyebrow* j flashed restless eyes of wonderfnl brilliancy. I A momentary glan<« revealed the fact that he j was a n»an of unusually keen perception. "I think I have the privilege of addressing | Dr. Ridgway," he said, speaking in an ea*y, I measured style, though I felt at the same I time he was dissecting me in his own mind.

I bowed " My name is Ronnebeck —Marcus Ronnebecfe," and he drew from his case a card, and banded it to me.

I took it in my fingers and read it ; then I looked at my visiter again. There was something in his msuim r which quite dispelled tie' imprenfion that he had come to consult me us an ordinary patient. "Ah. Mr. Ronnebeck, I see you are from Scotland Yard," I exclaimed. " Will you kindly explain in what way I can be of service to you, or to what I am indebted for this visit?"

"I have called," ho said slowly, "to request that you will be good enough tc answer a few questions with reftvuc-? to the late Victor Wells, of the firm of Wells and Soutiir. I believe you were acquainted with him."

"The late Victor Wells!" I repeated. "Whysurely there must be some misiake. At half-|iast nine last .night I walked with him down West Hill lane. You don't mean to say he's dead?" My visitor simply inclined his head slightly. '• You have not seen your paper this morning. doctor." he remarked, glancing at an unopened copy of the Timn upon my desk. "No," I said, preparing to look through it, " I have not." " Pray don't trouble, I will explain to you. Victor Wells was murdered in West Hill lane last night, between nine and ten. From information received, you were the last j»ii B(in stii-ii with him. Perhaps the reason of liiv visit will be clearer now."

i felt as though the blood in my veins was slowly being withdrawn from circulation, and its place was being supplied with ice. I was aware that my face became very pale, because the awkward predicament in which I waplaced, wan brought before me so suddenly, that it produced an unpleasant feeling of apprehension. There were unwelcome possibilities in such a situation.

" Do I understand yon to say, sir, that the object of your visit is to accuse me of murder r If so "

But he interrupted me. "Pardon me," he paid, bowing very slightly. •' I simply called to make a few inquiries. I regret there should have been a misunderstanding."

" Then perhaps you will inform me of the means by which the victim met his death." "He was shot. There were two bullet wound*, both bullets having entered the lungs. He was discovered lying in the full glare of a street lamp. His watch and money were untouched, so the motive of the crime is at present a mystery. Tuose are the whole of the facts."

"Strange," I said to myself. "I should like to have an opportunity of seeing the body, if I may," I added. \ "Oh, ves," he said; "and we shall be able to talk of the matter on the way."

"Then if you'll excuse me for a minute or two I'll arrange to accompauy you at once." " Most certainly," he replied. So I turned and left the room.

1 passed down the parage to the room in i which I conducted ray experiment#, and upon , opening the doors, I was surprise 1 to find : invself confronted by a brilliant light. It J appeared I had gone to breakfast without ' turning oft the oxy-hvdrogen jets, and upon j tli<' screen whs still thrown the picture of my j own eye. The effect was very curious. The j eye seemed to follow every movement I made j ab"ut tbe room. j As I turned off the light, and opened the j nV after* of the windows, an idea flashed j through my mind, which I determined to put i initi effect, if I could but obtain permission. | J went to a cupboard, and rook out a small j quarter-plate camera, which I placed in a wooden case, together with three plates. ! Then into another box I put a small electric I battery, and a strong glass tube from which j tf>*> air had been exhausted, and into the eride ' or which wires had been inserted. Then, ae j ►ooii as I had made all necessary arrange- i inont*. I a>rain entered the cowuitiug-room, bearing in my hands the two wooden casef and a camera stand. Mr. Ronnebeck looked up from th« magaaiue he had been glancing at. I had expeeted that when he flaw me laden as if for a prolonged tour he would have been mov.*d to gome expression of surprise. But he remained perfectly silent. Indeed, no intelligible shadow crossed his faco. It was imnW-ile. " Will there be any objection to my oDtaming a photograph of the body?" I inquired. "No," he Baid, "I think not, if you particularly desire it." "Yes, I particularly desire it, because I have an idea that I can be of service to von in thin affair." It may have been fancy, but I thought his eyebrows became •lightly elevated. He

simply remarked, however, "Then, If yon are ready, doctor, we'll make a start. Permit me to relieve yon of a portion of your load," and he took from my hand one of the casee. We traversed nearly a quarter of a mile before we encountered a hansom, and it was about ten minute* before the vehicle stopped in front of a building, to which the driver had been Instructed by my oorapanion to drive. On the way I supplied my interrogator with all the information 1 possessed concerning the late Victor Wells. After having paid the man his fare, I followed the letective through a large pair of wooden doors into a square courtyard, at the furthest extremity of which stood a low stone building. He unlocked the door, and we parsed in ; then he led the way to where the murdered man lay. After a preliminary examination, I succeeded, with my companion's assistance, in arranging the details for securing a photograph in the manner I desired. The dead man's eyes were wide open, and I placed the camera about six inches from his face, so that one of his eyes glared full into the lens. Above the camera I managed to suspend the glass tube, and having made everything ready I connected the wires in the tube with those from the battery. A'most immediately the tube became enveloped in a pale fluorescence. Then I withdrew the cap from the lens, and for seven minutes we waited. At the end of that time, 1 replaced the cap, disconnected the current, and with the assistance of Mr. Ronnebeck, restored the whole of the apparatus to the cases ; and having revived a promise from him tc call upon me again on th' following morning, I went away. It was late in that afternoon before I converted the photographic plate into a lantern s"<ide. After development I might have put the plate as it was into the lantern and have obtained an imperfect picture on the screen. But I determined to restrain my curiosity and wait until I could secure a picture as good as it was possible to get it. Close upon half-past four all was ready, and I lit the jets of oxygen and hydrogen, and directed them upon the cylinder of lime. For a moment or two I waited until the light shone with a steady brilliancy. Then I slipped in the slide. All was hazy and indistinct. It was evident I had not secured the correct focus.

As I adjusted it a little at a time and the picture grew gradually clearer, I became aware that I was to be treated to a sight such as I could uot possibly have anticipated.- It was only when the shadow was absolutely clear and distinct that I realised the full horror of the result I had obtained. Upon the screen was an eye—a solitary eye, glaring horribly. There was something about it which told that it was the fixed, stony stare of a dead man. Such a weird, terrifying influence did it exert upon tue, that for a moment I failed to notice the most marvellous point of the whole picture. In the centre of the eye was a face. I went close to the screen, to make sure I was not mistaken. There was no doubt about it, there was a face. As I looked at it, I became like a man in a dream; I was afraid to believe that I was sane, for I recognised the features clearly. Involuntarily his name slipped over my lips. " Soutar!" I said.

My head was on fire, but my hands were cold and clammy, and placing my hand upon my forehead, I staggered toward the door. By the side of the lantern I parsed, and took one more look at the picture. The eye seemed to be moving. I thought it was coming off the screen towards me. Hastily, I turned off the light, and rushed from the room, locking the door behind me. For the first time in my life, so far as my recollection serves me, I felt afraid.

Ten minutes later, I was being driven rapidly towards the city, and as St. Paul's struck a quarter to six I was shown into the private office of the wealthy firm of Wells and Soutar. Mr. Soutar, the junior partner, rose hurriedly from his chair as I entered, and extended his hand.

"Ah. Dr. Ridgway," he exclaimed, "I'm pleas' dto .see you. very pleased indeed. You have heard of the terrible calamity that has overwhelm* 1 ') us Pray be seated." Having taken the protferert cnair. 1 ioo*«u at him critically. His manner was restless and nervous. I thought, at first, that he wai even suspirions of the object of my visit. " Yes," I said. " I have heard of your sad loss, but my object in calling upon you was not to discuss that, but to ask you to accompany me to my house, to see a marvellous photographic or elect.rograpliic discovery I have made. Now. no refusal, please. I assure you it will prove interesting to you." "A funny world!" he said smiling. " Each one wrapped up in his own self and his own devices. Me, in the midst of a terrible disaster. You, oblivious to my surroundings, wholly absorbed in a discovery which is to make you famous. Perhaps,, if those whose sphere? are melancholy, were to get out of them whenever the opportunity occurred, it would be a good thing. So I'll accompany you, doctor, with pleasure." " Then we'll set off at once, Mr. Soutar, if it suits your convenience," I siid rising. "Oh, yes, it will suit me ,*-.pit»lly," he exclaimed. " I was clearing ap as you came in."

Then he proceeded to collect the papers upon his desk and lock a number of drawer*. When that was completed, he put on his overcoat and hat.

" There," he said, " I think we arc ready now." And we passed out of the office and hailed a hansom. During the whole of the journey, strive as I would to direct the conversation into other channels, my companion would revert to the death of his late partner. At length, however, we arrived at my houne, and I led the way at once to my experimenting room. The place was in total darkness, and when I had lit the gas I locked the door. Snutar ensconced himself in an armchair, and I took up a position directly in front of him.

"Perhaps. Mr. Sou tar," I said, "I ought to explain to you something of the nature of the discovery lam about to disclose. It has to do with the crime of lastuight." I thought he winced slightly. •'I am sure," I continued, "that no one couli be more anxious to discover the perpetrator of such a horrible deed than you are."

•'No," he said in a hollow voice. "No one."

" Well, I do not tell you what significance I attach to the strange picture I am about to show you. It affects you far more than it does me. But it is singular to say the least of it."

Not a word escaped his lips, and I moved towards the lantern, which was standing with the slide in it, as I had left it earlier in the afternoon. I lit the oxygen and hydrogen jets, and turned down the gas; then, as the picture came slowly on the screen, I watched the face of my companion. The light from the back of the lanrern fell full upon him, and when the lime became heated and the pict nrti grew in clearness I saw his face become gray and drawn. Soon the eye glared distinctly from the screen, and Soutar put hi« bands before his face to shut it from bis ci'/lir.

" Wh«t is it?" he exclaimed, hoarsely. " Jt is an electrograph," 1 paid. " Wii v tloes it stare so horribly ?" he asked, gazing fit it again. " It was taken after death." He ro«e from his chair. His face waslivid, and his whole form trembW violently. "God! Good God !" he >aid. "It is his eye. And there—yes—what do I ? tii«re is ray face. Take it away," ho shrieked. "Take it away." I extinguished the lantern and turned up the gas. Soutar had sunk down into the chair. I thought at first he had fainted, but presently he spoke. " And so, doctor, you hare discovered the assassin." "Then the picture has not lied?" " No." he said, "it is too true." " Why did you do it?" I asked. " I'll tell you," he replied, wiping the sold moisrure which had formed in large irops upon his brow. " I have been speculating with the firm's capital, and have lost to the extent of £50,000. Bofore the close of the week, the demands which will be made upon our funds will be £20,000 in excess of what we have to meet them with, after having been impoverished by my speculations. I alone know the true f-tate of affairs. Only jne door seemed open to me. There was a joint assurance upoji both our lives for £30,000, payable at the death of the first. You understand? I need not be more explicit?" "No !" I exclaimed. " I quite under* stan^.

He rose to hia feet. " What are you going

to do with me now 7" " I suppose I must give you in charge." "No," he said, "I beg of you spare me that. I have no right to ask you to show ma one gram of kindness, bat have mercy on ma and save me from humiliation. For a life the law demands a life. It shall have it. If you will but let me leave this house, before an hour has passed the law shall be satisfied. When the moon looks in through my offloe window I shall be dead." Poor wretch! As he stood there before me, a man in the prime of life, yet w|th face white and twisted, and with mouth set hard with a fixed determination that ere an hour had passed he would have closed with death, my eyes grew moist with tears and an uncontrollable feeling of Borrow rose within me. I have seen death in a number of forms, but never have I felt so close to it as I did that night.

"Will you swear to me that you will do aa you have said?" I asked. " Yes," he exclaimed, eagerly, "I swear by all that I hold most dear to me in this world, by the love of my wife and children, that within an hour I will take my own , life."

I could see that he had been holding himself with a tight hand, but as he said these words, he completely broke down, and burying his face in his hands he sobbed like a child.

"Then you may go," I said. "Thank you," he sobbed. "I cannot thank you sufficiently. Goodbye." I walked with him to the door, and saw him stride slowly down the street. As I turned away I bad to brush the back of my hand across my eyes. I slept very little that night. I was restless and wakeful, and several times I started from an uneasy doze, to find my mind still dwelling on the strange occurrences of the past day. I rose while it was quite early, and waited impatiently for my daily paper. When it arrived I scanned the pagei nervously to see if there was any account of a mysterious suicide. Yes, it was there. The man had kept his word. Then I again went through a period of suspense, awaiting the arrival of Mr. Ronnebeck. At length he appeared. His face was still an unreadable hieroglyphic; it presented no trace of emotion or surprise. As he entered my room, he remarked in his slow, measured tones, " Good morning, Dr. Ridgway, I see you have opened your paper to-day, so there is nothing I need communicate." "No," I said, " I think I can do most oi the communicating this time, if you will take a seat."

Then I gave him a full account of the strange events of the previous day, to which he listened attentively, but without any display of wonder. When I concluded, •he said, " And so we have to thank you, doctor, for sparing us the expense of an execution. I'm afraid, however, that you would hardly do for our service."

"Probably not," I exclaimed. "But if you'll come this way, I will show you the photo you assisted me to take yesterday," and I led the way to my experimenting-room. The shutters were still up, so the room was in total darkness, and I proceeded at once to light the lantern. Gradually the picture came upon the screen, till it stood out cloarand distinct, with its hard, cold stare. Deeorip* tion utterly fails to convey the remotest idea of the curious, terrifying effect which that on< eye had the power of producing. Nut the least terrorising of its weird attributes was that it appeared to be coming towards you. An exclamation bnrst from Mr. Ronnebeck. " Doctor, I would never have believed it if I had not seen it myself. The sensation it produces within me is such as I never felt before. I have seen a good number of atrang« sights, and I never remember having been afraid in my life, but I wouldn't remain in this room alone for ten minutes with that picture on the screen— no, not for a pension. And that faoe in the centre. It is awful!"

Then I turned off the light, and presently Mr. Ronnebeck took his departure. I accompanied him to the door, and bis last words as be passed down the steps were, " After having seen that, I am not surprised that he wouldn't stay to 'face the music.'" I returned to my experimenting-room, and took the slide out of the lantern, and aincf that day it has remained upon my desk.