The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-07-05

persed to their various homes, knowing Cnat
their code of honor was still intact.
For several days the curious made every
effort to discover any details concerning the
impending duel but without avail. There
was only a certainty that it would take place,
but where and how was only known to the
principals and the indefatigable Rukert
On the morning of the sixth day after the
quarrel at the club, the community was thrown
into state of horror at the following article
published in the Neue Freie Presse:
cat $50 last night, as aparJy OF young men
were passing the house of Herr Waldemer, in
Strasse Wallfschgasse, they were startled by
the loud report of a revolver coming from the
direction of that gentleman's residence, fol-
lowed Immediately by an agonizing scream.
They hastily forced the front door and, after
vain search in several rooms, all untenanted,
they reached the study. There PROSTATE on
the floor was the form of our well-known citi-
zen--dead. A hideous wound in his left tenn
pie and revolver lying near at hand showed
the cause of death Stretched across his
body, her hair dabbling in q pool of blood,
was his beautiful wife. 1t was at first thought
that she also was dead. But hasty examina-
tion showed that she had only tainted"
One of the Mortified gentlemen ran for the
nearest doctor, and also to report the melan-
choly news to the proper authorities: The
others set to work to revive Mrs Waldemer,
and soon had the satisfaction Of seeing her re-
cover consciousness.
By fortunate coincidence DR.. Breslon hap
pened to be in the neighborhood, and he was
soon in attendance He pronounced Waldo
mer past all medical aid, but said that the lady
was only suffering from a severe nervous
shock, natural under the circumstances.
Despite her protestations Mrs. Waldemer
was taken into custody and removed to the
house of detention, where she remained dur
ing the night, all offers of bail being resolutely
refused.
Owing to q most extraordinary and fortu-
nate circumstance we are enabled to clear the
unhappy lady from all suspicion, and also give
our readers the details of very singular duel
that took place in this city but few days ago,
and which undoubtedly caused the suicide
just mentioned.
Last night at 1870 o'clock messenger left
package in the anteroom with instruction
that it be sent up to the managing editor.
Upon removal of the outer wrapper was found
sealed envelope with the following note:
''JUNE 13, 1889.
"TO the Damaging Editor:
''You will find inclosed an important item
of news, which you are at liberty to use only
on condition that this envelope be not received
before 10 o'clock this night | trust to your
well-known honor to see that this stipulation
is faithfully carried out
tRUDoLPR WALDEMER."
Long before the receipt of the mysterious
package Waldemer's suicide had been discoy
cred, and so the seal was Immediately broken.
Inside was the following remarkable confes-
sion:
''These my last words are written on the
threshold of the unknown. Though in the
prime of life, the mere thought of living has
become dread more terrifying than that of
death.
"It is still fresh in the public mind how
L overheard in my club the name of my
wife banded about by lecherous scound-
rel, who has already gone the road shall
travel tonight.
81 challenged him. The challenge was
accepted All the details were left to a
mutual friend-a man learned in electrical
science-who enthusiastically proposed the
adoption of electricity as a weapon. / as
sented with indifference, not needing the
agent, so that l had my revenge. My
antagonist agreed, prompted by a professional
curiosity. For several days the mysterious
preparations went ON, and at last there came
note stating that l was to call at a certain
house on the outskirts of the city at midnight.
son arrival at the place indicated the
scientist met me at the door and led the way
to little anteroom on the second floor.
There found my antagonist, and it was only
the knowledge that but few minutes could
elapse before we would be engaged in mortal
combat that restrained me from throttling
him where he stood.
''We were taken into an adjoining room,
and what saw there filled my soul with a
grim ioy-the lust for murder. Returning
again to the outer room, we We're requested
to submit without demur to any preparations
necessary. l complied with aiac7ity, but he
evidently hesitated before answering, and L
noticed with pleasure that his voice trembled
and his face paled with cowardly dread.
'EThe old electrician produced two long,
close-ftting robes that enyeloped us from
neck to heels, and with skillful fingers he
speedily buttoned them around us, making
the shroud-like garments more secure by pass
ing stout cord about the outside in innu-
merable turns. Fettered in this way we lay
upon the tloor unable to move hand or foot.
Satisfied at last that the fastenings were Sc
cure, he dragged us with infinite care into
the chamber of death.
sit was a small square room, devoid of fur
niture and but dimly lighted by a common
oil lamp suspended from the ceiling. The
floor had been waXed and polished until it
was as smooth as glass. In two corners of the
room, diagonally opposite each other, were
couple of peculiar-looking metal discs placed
horizontally on the floor, and having round
fiat knob in the centre. Leading from each