The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-23
MAJOR HOFFMAN.


er eQualed before, and doubt my going
into tho Swim" again next winter OF
for some winters to come, for that mat
ter. l am DESTROYS to explain my rea-
sons for this withdrawal from society,"
and In order to do so 1 shall be obliged
to tell you of my relations with Major
Hoffman
You see, l have always felt that il
was, in sense, my duty to move i'll
good society, and have been at some
pains so to arrange my affairs and social
relations rs to be able to attend most of
tho better class of private entertain
ments given in the city during the past
two or three winters. 1t not only gave
me no small enjoyment, but it also as
sisted me materially i'll my business.
1t was n matter Of considerable diff
Guilty to secure al invitation to tho Van
Schoonhoven reception. but l managed
1t-no matter how-and it was at this
reception that made the acquaintance
OF Major Hoffman
l had strollcd into Dr. Van Schoon-
hoven's office to get ont of the hot and
crowded reception room, and i'll the dim
light was leaning against the window
casing, idly tapping on the glass with
my nails, when l noticed at the top of
the window sash n bit of metal glcam-
ing in the semidarkness touched it
and found that ii was part Of 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.
am somewhat Of an electrician, and
my interest and curiosity were at once
aroused Without stopping to think, |
unscrowed the upper bit of metal with
my knife, and after twisting off the
wire which led from it into the wood
work was examining it when / heard Il
light step nj the door, and looking round
found standing by the table tall, dark
skinned man in evening dress, with
black mustache aud imperial, and long,
rather curly black hair-in all suggest
ing mt once the popular idea of his sa-
tanic majesty.
BY one of those impulses which over
come Us all at times l slipped the bit
OF metal into my pocket and turned to-
ward the stranger, whom from his dress
and manner l assumed to be one of the
guests at the reception.
Il hope l do not intrutlc," he said
politely.
"Oh, no. " FASTENED to reply. Il
am glad some one else can enjoy the
GOODNESS here
Il think | have not the pleasure of
your acquaintance " thestrangcr quericd
smiling, and with slight foreign ac-
cent, AS guests in this house trust
we need no formal acknowledgements
name is Hoffman, Major Franz Hotf
man. p"
and I am William Il. Vance, very
much ut your service. sir, returned,
decidedly pleased with my new friend 5
voice and manner II am indeed glad
to make your acquaintance, major"
found Major Hoffman very agree
able fellow gentleman of refinement
and culture polished, well Informed. a
ready convcrsationist. though decidedly
reserved us to himself. and a smoker of
excellent cigars. We discussed books,
yachting, horses. politics. etc. the major
showing himself Il man Of wide reading
and depth Of thought along many lines.
l could learn nothing, however, as
to his own o>cupation-hc WAS especial
ly reticcnt Oh that point Major HoiY.
man casually let slip that he had been
III Europe until recently His business
had taken hin! there on two days warn
ing and had brought him back as sud
denly. He could not tell how soon the
present matter would be disposed Of or
where ne would go next
e Il ain an uncertain fellow" he
said, laughing, 'and never know my
own plans two weeks in advance. LII
deed my plans are largely made for
me, and go and come usually at the
bidding Of Others
While we were talking DR.. Van
Schoonhoyen entered and ] did not see
the major again that evening, as pres
emily returned to the reception room,
the major remaining for chat with his
host
l was decidedly i'll at ease, for | had
that piece Of burglar alarm in my pock-
ct and could find 10 opportunity to put
1T back. ! was fully aware that INV
hasty action might be misconstrued by
one who did not know me, and I was
anxious lest the major had seen me take
1t down, though not III the most remote
way had either Of us referred to the sub
ject> II was no business Of his. though.
in any casc, and I deemed myself in no
way bound to consult him about so triv-
ial an affair. Besides ! was inclined
70 think he had rot sex: re take ;llt