The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-11-15

lain concealed IN tho snow some twenty
metres from the spot ever since, Ii was eX-
traordinary that Of all the people who had
passed and repaSscd none had discovered il /,
hut the snow was deep and il was a little OF
the beaten track.
"What are we 10 do with itn said Won
Schegel lie shuddercd as he noticed by the
light OF the moon that the head Of II was all
dabbled with dark brown stains.
Take IL q the commiSsary OF police"
"Hell be In bed now. Still, think you
are right But IL is nearly O'Clock, | will
wait until morning and take IL round before
breakfast Meanwhile | must carry IL with
me 20 my lodgings"
THAT Is the best plan, said his friend and
the two walked ON together talking ot the re-
markable find which they had made When
they came 60 Schlegcls door, Strauss said
good-by, refusing an invitation TO 20 in, and
walked briskly down the street
Schlcgcl was stopping down putting the
Key into the lock. when strange change
came over him. lie trembled violently and
dropped the key from his quvcring fingers
His right hand closed convulsively round th,
handle OF the silver hatchet, and his eye FOL
lowed the rctrcsting figure OF his friend with
IA vindictive glaro. I'm spite OF the coldnes
his face For "A moment he seemed 10 strug.
Gle with himself, holding his hand up 60 hl,
throat as II he were suift. atng Then, with
crouching body aud noiselcss steps, he crepl
after his late companion.
Strauss was ploddng sturdny along through
the snow, humming S.atchos OF student song
and little dreaming OF the dark figure which
pursued him. At the Grand Platz it was forty
yards behind him; at the Julien rlatz II wa
but twenty; In stephen Strasse Il was ten,
and gaining on him with panther like rapid
ity. Already It was almost within armi
length OF the unsuspecting man, aud th,
hatchet glittercd coldly In the moonlight
when some slight noiso must have reached
Strauss ears, for he faced suddenly round
upon his pursucr lie started and uttered an
exclamation a. his eye met the white set face
with flashing eyes and cllnchod teeth.
"What, Ouow he exclaimed, recognizing
bis friend Art thou ili You look pale
Come with me TO my-Ahl hold, you mad
man, hodl Drop that axe Drop IT, say.
or b} heaven IA choke you"
Won Schlcgel had thrown himself upon
him with a Wild cry aud upftcd weapon.
but the student was stout hearted and reso.
lutte llo rushed inside the sweep Of the
hatchot and caught his assailant round IA,
waist, narrowly escaping blow which would
have cloven his head The two staggered
for "A moment IN deadly wrcstlc Schlcgcl
endeavoring TO shorten his weapon; but
Strauss with "A desperate wrench managed C
bring him 60 the ground, aud thcy rolled to
gethcr in the snow, Strauss clluging to th,
others right arm and shouting frnntically
for assistance 10 was as well that ho did go
for Schlegel would certainly have succeeded
in freeing his arm had II not been for the
arrival Of two stalwart gendarmes attracted
by the uproar. Even then the three of them
found IL difficult 10 overcome the maniacn.
strength Of Schlegel, and they were utterly
unable 10 wrench the silver hatchot from hi,
grasp. One Of the gendarmos, however, had
a coil Of rope round his waist, with which h,
rapidly secured the students arms 90 hii
sides. In this way, half pushed, half dragged
be was conveyed 10 the central police station
Strauss assisted I'm cocrCing his former
friend, and accompanied tho police 90 the,
station, protesting loudly ot the same tim,
against any unnecessary violence and giving
IL as his opinion that a lunatic asylum would
be more fitting for the prisoner What die
IL all meant II was certain that his old frcnc
from bOyhood had attempted to murder him
and had nearly succeeded Was Won Schlcge
then the murderer Of Professor Won Ilopster
and Of tho Bohemian Jowi Strauss felt thai
u was impossible, for the jew was not ever
known 10 him, and the professor bad been hii
especial favorito lie followed mechanically
lost in amhzamcut
Inspector Buumgnrton, one of the most en
crgctic and best known Of the police officials
was on duty in the absence Of the commits
tary. lie was wiry little active man, quiet
and retiring in bis habits, but possessed OF
great sagncty Hnd "a vigilance which never
relaxed. Now, though he had had "A six hours
vigil, hc sat as erect ns ever, with his pen be
hind bis ear, at bis official desk, while bis
friend, Sub Inspector Wnkcl, mOrcd in .
chair az The side of the stove. Even the in
spector usually immOyuble features betrayed
surprise, however, when the door wns flung
open and Won Schlcge was dragged In with
pale face aud disDrIcred clothes, the silver
Ratchet grnspcd firmly In his hand. Stl
more surprised was ho when Strauss aud th,
geudnrmcs gave their accounts
Young man. young man." snid Inspector
Baumgarton, laying down bis pen, and fixing
bis eyes stcruly upon tho prisoner, this %
pretty work Tor Christmas morning: vhy
have you done thi, thinsT
"God knows" cried Won Schlogcl. cover
ing his face with his hands aud dropping tho
hatohct. a change bad come over him, hb
fury nud excitement were gone, and he
seemed utterly prOs'ratcd with grief
"You have rendered yourself liable toa
strong suspicion Of having committed the
other murders"
"No, no. God forbil'' cried Won schlogcl
"At least, you are guilty of attempting th'
iifeof Herr Leopold Strauss"
"Thc dearest friend have" groaned otto
"llis beiug your friend makes your Grim,
ten timc- more hoilous' faid the inspector
severely Remove bin Tor the remainder
81 the night % the But steady WHO
come EcTCf
Tho door was pushed open, md mar
came into tho room, sD hnggarI and care
worn that be- ly.kad more ike ghost than
human being DO t1tbarc1 a. be walked
and bal 90 clutch at tGs b1rks ~ the chairs
~ he approached the iusplctor's desk II
was hard ~ recognize iu this miserable
looking object tIe once cheerful and rubicuud
sub curator Df fua museum and priyat-dOceui
n chemistry Herr seuira.nger.
"G0YI morning. me.u Herr said Inspector
Bauugartu, sou are up early so doubt
you have heard that oHi ~ your students
Won srhlrgrl n arrr,aI fyr attempting the
life ~ LeDpOlI S.r1uef
80. have o.us 'ar myself, said Schles
singer. speaking Hussiiy aud putting biz
hand up % lls throat Il bavo como ~ cass
my slul ~ the weight of a great sin, though.
God knows a1 uluelItatsl one. II was ]
vino But, merc.fli beaycnsi there II is
The h9rrid thing D1 that I had never seen
ltw
iis shraal bark il % plroTyum u terror,
garing 40 tue silver hatchet where 10 lag
upon the f11r. oul pointing ~ Il with bis
hand
ltTrIrr.. DE- T... " U. fl|.lI 81 ls.t a. fsf Il