New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-21

verse criticism On the other hand II was not a
book to be passed over and ignored. The young
author had ideas. the points OF view were lresh.
the wit was always relevant and incidental. ana
as for the STYLE II 1t rose to distinction II
at any rate never deviated into duness. More
over the book sold well. which Is an excellent
criterion OF certain order OF merit.
Having once tasted OF success as an author:
Axel Hermclin was impelled TO try secono
venture. He had pocketed a suffcient sum 20
enable him to live for year without doinR mack
work for the newspapers and he made the pest
ne was able of the respite from duil routine.
These were the circumstances leading up 20 me
writing OF The Story OF Conversion with the
manuscript Of which he had had 80 strange
mishap. They explain his anxiety to clear up
the mystery quickly before the story became
public property. He felt sure that In any dispute
between himself and n Swedish writer the SYM
pa thics Of the public would not be with hlmse'i:
In the afternoon Herr Woern called at Axel
Hcrmens rooms ny he had promised ana MADE
thorough examination OF the premises. Inc
lock OF the bureau was pronounced to be com
mon one clever thief could have opened u III
a few minutes without much difficulty. Ihat'
however. did not seem to throw much ngn. Oh
the matter. for It did not at all explain how
COPY could have been made In the very snort
time the thief could have had at his disposal
When Herr Wocrn had concluded his inspec-
ton Axel fermelIn inquired whether he had Deen
able TO form any theory which would IN any de-
gree cover the facts Of the case.
The answer was startlingly unexpected.
Yes" said Herr Woern. Il have theory
YOU just at present what It is for II might only
result In a disappointment can say however
that suspect your nelghbor, Herr Agrel, OF be-
Ing concerned in the business
"Why?"
Because. in the first place. whoever 1t was
who succeeded In obtaining possession OF your
manuscript must nave Deen wen acqua ,
with your habits. and with the hours you Keep:
In the second place, suspect MIN, because VI
what you have told me Of his occupation
II told you he was merchant
And also that he gave spirituai seances.
have had some experience with such gentry.
you think they are all imposters!
They are among the most successful OF mod
knights of industry II you inquire in.o tneir
been mechanical engineers. or inventors. holders
Of unremunerativc patents, or sometimes actual
are sincere These generally pass for vastly
clever fellows so long as they succeed In Keeping
out OF the way Of the lunacy commissioners. the
former Is however. by far the more widely dis
trbuted species 49,
What steps shall you take in regard to this
MANI"
II shall make inquiries as TO his 'dossier' Gor
he IL sure 10 have one). and endeavor 10 estao-
fish a connection hetween him and Herr Nelson.
II nv suspicious are correct they must be accom-
pces."
Il suppose had better call In Herr Nelson
and see what he has to say?'
Il think not II you do not come he will not
know what Is hanging over him, and ne VIII be
obliged - come 10 you.
The natural tnlnS IS 10 go " MN
and call him to account. Would It not look sus-
pcious my not having done so. If the AFFAIR AFTER
ward gets into the law courts?
mo because | should give evidence to the ei-
feet that you had acted under my advice. You
had better even deny yourself 70 Herr Nelson II
he should have the impudence TO call on you. You
could gain nothing by the interview lie Is sure
h. have a Well-cOncOcted story, WHICH ne "ouiu
tell and stick to-.
Well hope you will not keep me In suspense
longer than you can avoid II you find you are on
Il false scent you will tell me. Will You not!
certainly, a, once | must go now: you may
expect 10 hear from me In a few days
Four DAYS went by. which seemed four weeks 10
Axel Hermelin. He tried every device ana expe-
dent he could think OF TO make the time pass In
way that should be tolerably enduraoe. put
without much success. Even under iavoraole
conditions when a busy man turns idler for a
while he Is pretty certain 10 be wretched untii
he gets TO work again. Axel Hermelin was miser-
able He took long walks. went on steamboat ex.
cursions passed his evenings az the theatres ana
the cafes but every hour seemed as three. LOT all
his pains.
on the fourth day he could bear the suspense
no longer He returned TO the Malmskilnads
Gltan. and climbed up to the little eyre among
the telephone wires.
Herr Woern was not at home. The servant
would not say when he would be at home. the
hours he kept were so Irregular. But the gentle
man might certainly step In ana wait tor t'e
II he wished To do so.
Axe TIermelin elected TO wait. He might as
well fret and worry In one place AZ In another'
and he ndu noticed on MS tolllfI NiSiN AH"' t"e''
were at any rate plenty ~ books on the shelves.
ON examining these more closely. he found that
Herr Woern appeared TO interest himself In Two
classes 81 literature only. The greater NUMBER
of the booka which were FOR the most part In the
German language. dealt with the habits ana natu-
raj history ~ may be allowed the expression) OF
the criminal classes. Long dry, inhuteIy ue
tailed records 81 the cases OF celebrated criminals
The second claes OF books was composed or rev
volumes only. They were scientific works, BOOKS
OF chemistry geology and optics. or rather such
portions 81 these subjects as had direct bearing
on the business OF a detective. Herr Woern APP
parcntly owed his exceptional success az much TO
his Information and reasoning powers as TO MS
faculty OF observation.
AXni Uermclin soon became greatly interested
IN "A book dealing with the French system o,
Identification u criminals by measurement, anu
an hour slipped away with pleasing rapiu!'
Just he was getting tired Of the subject ana pc
coming restless again the sound or latcnkey IN
the door came 10 his ears. and Herr "oerh
stepped into the room.
III YOU had remained quietly at home instead
OF losing patience and coming after me. ne salu
we should have met nearly an hour ago. nave
been spending most OF the morning In your mouse
In this man NELSON'S apartment I've got
story IL tell you
before you begin just tell me whether you have
been successful
completely am sorry TO have kept you IN
suspense. II II had not been for one Circumstance
which puzzled me | should have been much more
positive In my assurances the other day
What was THAR
could not uilutIStdsii At tA'
being no telephone in your house. On making
further inquiries. however. | found that was no
obstacle 10 my theory. II s now thoroughly es-
have been occupied In collecting col
lateral and coniirmatory evidence for the last few
days but discovered absolutely nothing cohcIu-
slve until this morning.
What ies II that you have found!
81 will show YOU" replied Herr Woerr, taking
n memorandum book from the breast pocket OF
Ais coat From between the leaves of this book
he took a slip Of something which looked IKE thin
semi transparent parchment.
Look at IL closely" said Herr Woern and tell
me what you see. .
81 see" said Axel Hermelin. some very small
writing German writing think 1t must be. but
cannot read single word OF H..
And do you know what II Is you are han
ding
mo"
"Wou that shows that you have not caught
the modern craze for photography or at any rate.
that YOU have not kept abreast OF the latest de-