The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-07-05
MAJOR HOFFMAN.

/ am taking a rest after a round of
gayety and social activity which ] new
er equaled before, and I doubt my going
into the swim" again next winter, or
for some winters to come, for that mat
ter. / am desirOus to explain my rea-
sons for this withdrawal from society,
and in order to do so I shall be obliged
to tell You Of my relations with Major
| Hoffman.
You see, I have always felt that il
was, in a sense, my duty to move in
good society, and I have been at some
pains so to arrange my affairs and social
relations as to be able to attend most of
the better class Of private entertain
ments given in the city during the past
two or three winters It not only gave
me no small enjoyment, but il also as
sisted me materially in my business.
It was q matter Of considerable diff
Guilty to secure an invitation TO the Van
Schoonhoven reception, but ! managed
it-no matter how-and it was at this
reception that I made the acquaintance
of Major Hoffman.
i had strolled into DR.. Van Schoon-
hoven's Office to get out of the hot and
crowded reception room, and i'm the dim
light was leaning against the window
casing. idly tapping ON the glass with
my nails when / noticed at the top of
the window sash q bit OF metal CLEAN
ing in the semidarkness. / touched it
and found that IL was part OF q burglar
alarm, moving when the window was
opened upon another bit OF metal two
inches above, and by contact completing
an electric circuit OF some sort.
ann somewhat Of an electrician, and
my interest and curiosity were 81 once
aroused. Without stopping TO think, ]
unscrewed the upper bit of metal with
my knife, and after twisting OF the
wire which led from it into the wood
work was examining IL when I heard q
light step ut the door, and looking round
found standing by the table d tall, dark
skinned man in evening dress, with
black mustache and imperial, and long,
rather curly black hair-in all suggest
ing at once the popular idea Of his sa-
tanic majesty.
BY mi Of those impulses which over
come ms all at times I slipped the bit
of metal into my pocket and turned to-
ward the stranger, whom from his dress
and manner I.assumed TO be one of the
guests nc the reception.
~ hope / do not intrude, " he said
politely.
"Oh, NOT FASTENED to reply. II
am glad some one else can enjoy the
GOODNESS here"
ST think ] have not the pleasure Of
your acquaintance, |" thestrangerq ueried
smiling. and with q slight foreign 40
cent. AS guests in this house / trust
we need no formal introduction-my
name Is Hoffman, Major Franz Hof-
man"
"And ! am William B. Vance, very
much at your service, sir, ] returned.
decidedly Pleased with my new friends
voice and manner. II am indeed glad
to make your acquaintance, major.
found Major Hoffman a very agree
able fellow, a gentleman of refinement
and culture, polished, well informed, a
ready conyersationist. though decidedly
reserved as to himself, and a smoker OF
excellent cigars. We discussed books,
yachting, horses. politics, etc. the major
showing himself a man of wide reading
and depth Of thought along many lines
! could learn nothing, however, as
to his own occupation-he was especial
ly reticent ON that point. Major Hof7-
man casually let slip that he had been
in Europe until recently. His business
had taken him there ON two days warn
ing and had brought him back as sud
denly. He could not tell how o the
| present matter would be disposed of or
where he would go next.
II am an uncertain fellow" he
said, laughing, and never know my
own plans two weeks in Gdvance. In
deed my plans are largely made tor
me, and I 60 and come usually at the
bidding of others"
While we were talking Dr.. Van
Schoonhoven entered, and j did not zee
the major again that evening. as I pres
entity returned 70 the reception room,
the major remaining for a chat with his
host.
I was decidedly i'll at ease, for I had
that piece OF burglar alarm IN my pock-
ct and could find 10 opportunity TO put
IL back / was fully aware that my
hasty action might be misconstrned by
one who did not know me, and / was
anxious lest the major had seen me take
it down, though not in the most remote
way had either or ns referred 10 the sub
jeck Il was no business of his, though,
In any case, and I deemed myself In nd
way bcund TO consult him about 90 triy-
ial an affair. Besides ] was inclined
] 10 think he had mot seen me take the