New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-11

Well somewhere near where we standing
now replied Rqtherton and ne explained to
Fcrland what had caused this sudden irruption into
ms room Fcrrand langhcd-a hearty honest,
sounding laugh not in the Ieast like the sound of
evil memory. After asking a few questions, he
treated the whole matter as the result OF excited
nerves Or else, he added. sOms friend of the
porlers may have been indulging in little revelry
with him in the lodge. and. OF course, distance
would lend, not enchantment. but power 10 the
sound So he laughed the event away. And on
cooler reflection the others began to feel ashamed
of their panic. To redeem their character as bold
Britons they became very noisy and uproarious. and
Ferrand aided and Allotted them in the most sue
cessful manner. He joined in all the merriment,
told amusing stories, produced wine ana eatables
and proved a charming host In this way an hour
slipped by and il was by this time nearly III the
morning-the late hours kept by eollegians being
then, ~ in the present day. proverbial.
Suddenly Ferrani exclaimed But where on
earth did those sounds you heard come from J
had dream last night that another murder would
he committed IN the college. foolish fancy, you
will say. Well, perhaps 81. Yet | propose we
patrol the buildings. and make final inspection
before going a. bed
All looked uneasy. Rutberton shuddered. i
wish yOu wouldn't speak in that soulfreezing kind
Of way. Ferrand. Another murder-impossible
What could pnt such fancy into your brain
Rutherton had by this time forgotten his previous
fears.
"A curious fancy. indeed remarked Elworthy in
weapon. too in your dream, Ferrand 1 wonder
you weren't frightened. What was it Ike A
dagger presume. " Methinks i see il nOw"'
See i'll said Ferrand, turning suddenly. 80 as to
face the speaker; wherei What do you mean
You must be madP And his eye followed FL
wOrthys. till IL rested upon certain part OF the
wall, just above the mantelpie zee.
You seem alarmed, said Elworthy, as quietly rs
before; and rising, he went to the hearth lhis
is peculiar knife "A good stabbing instrument, l
should think, and he took 1t down from Its peg on
oh. that said Ferrand yes that's n Moorish
dagger. beautifully carved, isn't ttf i've had IL
some time You really alarmed me at first, FL
worthy, by the way you pointed at this weapon
Did 2 carelessiy replied the other m truly
sorry. But suppose we do as Ferrand suggested
and patrol the collegei After which it will be
about time for us To retire. If We intend appearing
at morning chapel Tomorrow They all rose.
Leaving the apartment, they went down the steep
stairs as they had assembled. III single ME, terrand
staying a ttle behind, 20 put out the candies he
said ElworIhy had got half down the stairs when
he remembered that ne had left his trencher behind
him He reasccnded the steps quickly, and was Just
about to enter Ferrand's room, when through the
half-Opencd door sound reached nlln-the very
sane low suppressed. dreadful chuckle which had
been heard before that evening. ElWorthy stood
half-Daralvzed Where did that awful laugh pro
cred from 1t must have come from within. tie
entered there was nobody but Ferrand there, VINO
had just put out the candles, and who dld not
notice his entrance, which had been made quietly.
AT the door for few moments ElwOrthy stood,
wondering whence that sound had Issued. was
il his fancy yet he was not given to fancIes
And if his had deceived HIM. surely MS eyes
could not-for what saw he now BY the light of the
fire he sa y Ferrand take down the dagger from lis
place look at it carefully; then breathe upon IL,
Then rub il vigorously with a handkerchief then
look at il again. then replace it, That was all.
That however. was auite enough for Elworthy,
who with nameless terror on HIM, gllded out or
the door, ran as quickly and noiselessly down the
steep stairs as If ire pestcnce were az his heels
and found his felOw-stndents waiting IN the porch.
But before be had recovered his breath. or had time
to gather his thoughts together, Fcrrand joined
them. and proposed to examine the rooms IN the
smaller quadrangle. This was at once agreed TO-
He led the way. and ElwOrthy could do nothing at
prcseut but follow the others and wait for events
Meanwhile he concentrated all his attention on
the task OF watching ferrand ,
Now let us turn TO what happened In that same !
College "A few short hours before There was one |
studiOus Undergraduate, a shy aud retiring youth !
Of the of Butler. Who occupied the rooms Just
opposite 70 those OF the Deantht is TO say, on the
first floor IN the big quadrangle. lie knew Dut Ie" OF
The men OF the college but one OF the few who were /
intimate with him was Ferrand la fact. the two |
were Ut at friends, and Butler seems to have re
carried Ferrand who was older and cleyerer and |
stronger than he was, with a KIND OF boyish conh-
leuce o. no mcmber OF the college had the awful |
vent of "A few days back produced more terrifying
fleet than on Butter. Directly siter dinner IN lAI
syery evening he retired TO ms room, securely tas-
ened his door and did not again emerge TIL the |
next morning. Those undergraduates who had |
-a lked with him. noticed how his mind seemed t. he
filed with the subject OF tie attempted muIier' Al
he details seemed 70 have CHASTITY IaSclnItloh LOT
him and one of his acquaintance atterward related
utO what "a state of nervous terror ne had been
brown bv n chance suggestion that the assassin
night try to find another victim within the walls
If the same college.
md some author open bcfCe him on the Ia 4e,
, hen he was startled by gentle tapping. He lis
ened for n minute-and even such an ordinary
went threw his nerves INTO state OF irtInOF-tneh
,pproachcd the door and asked who was there.
veil known voice replied and now, his doubts and
ears removed, he opened the door and admitted
'errand.
still studlousr said the new conner. entering
pon nv word you ought 10 take more care OF
our delicate brain. have come 10 rouse yQ2uLto
ook after yoIr health so put away your books,
md come and sit here before the fire. so saying |
Re drew an easy chair right in front OF the hearth
or his host and took ordinary chair Tor himself.
It's very good of you 20 look me M, said Butler,
and to think of my health. But you startled me
God deal BY knocking at this door
Startled yOu' said the other W hat, are you
till nervous about that wretched affair
didn't know who it was knocking, you know
Explained Butler 1t might have been and here
e gave an involuntary sludder-' IL might nave
zen tho murderer himself outside
Do look ike murderer answered terrand.
aughing--a clear. unbroken open ihugn, WhIe
Certainly he did not look ike the ordinary vulgar
otion of the secret ASSASSIN. Butler was now ST
eat. and the blazing fire in front Of him, and the
resence close at his side of his trusted friend he
id not seem at his ease. Looking suddenly round
and IN You Your coat Ike that Ferrands coat was
uttoned tight. 1t was great-coat, apd hlS right
and was buried deep IN the inside pocket OF II
WHY not he answered carelessly; It's a way
ave- But how nervous you arc tonight Old
GLOW Shall sport your oak for your Then You
lust be quite safe
No no. don't do that said Butler, But Ferrand
ad already left his seat and closed the outer door
18th a revSrberating slam. Then he shut the inner
ocr. and walked back to his place he again took
Is seat on his chair he noticed that Butler was
ervous and he set himself 10 amuse and beguile
i'm with talk He told him story after story, in
eresting racv anecdotes and was gradually ex-
ring 6is potent spell over his host he drvw his
,,r ebair closer 10 the armchair in which Butler
,as reclining; he put his hand on his shoulder,
nd
Who can tell what induced Butler ut this moment
, rise from his seat 7 Some sudden wave Of mental
1rebodiug perhaps it was. Whatever the cause,
e rose and walked slowly 10 the door-opened it
pened the outer oak
= What are YOU doing shouted Ferrana.
I'm lust going TO see IL the Dean is in his room
aid Butler oh all rights don't be long; I've