The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-02-12

My thoughts dwelt on the fate of the
student. Poor little creature that he
was. victim Of very cruel destiny, he
had had hard life of it from start to
finish 1t was to be hoped such us he
would be mercifully Judged, for indeed
he had never chancel Who could
blame him? Not for one. On the con-
trary. | felt grateful enough toward
ever have attained the end. which now
doomed well in view but for his good
oficess He had been very aggravating
in the manner of giving his informa-
tion. he had been foxy and avaricious,
and, of course from the point of view
of good or bad faith toward his friends,
his conduct had been treacherous and
atrocious Nevertheless felt softly
toward the poor fellow by reason of the
services he had rendered me, services
which-as matter of fact-had cost
him his life
Was he stabbed while sleepingY l
wondered God grant that he suffered
AOLC vi ULC lClllUlC VI SuuuGIJN
awaking to see his murderer, like an
avenging fry. standing over his bed
perhaps bidding him prepare for instan,
death, trHitor's violent death, while
horror paralyzed his limbs and his
tongue so that he could neither move
nor cry out,
Did dream. or was that the figure
Of a man standing in the doorway
which led into the bedroomY
For moment | imagined that it
must be Percy OF Borofsky or perhaps
my own man Petka who had been pre-
barring my room for the night; then he
suddenly stepped out into the light. see.
ng, suppose. that peered at him
md percei ed with gasp of horror
shat it was Andre
The odious creature laughed aloud.
"Ah. he said. my charming and
most elegant nephew! l have long in
tended to pay you a call in your own
apartments, since You seemed determin-
ed to keep aloof from me in my own!''
was too frightened-there is no 9th
er world was too terrified to speak
Horror and surprise kept my tongue
tied to my palate. could not have
spoken, if my life depended on it, dur
ing that frs. minute OF two
"You are surprised to see me, per
ceive, he continued II am aware
that am unlimited. Probably you be-
lieved me tc be out of town-nicht
wahr?'
made no reply. =
~ should have left before now, nc
doubt. :" he went on. ''but unfortunate
~ forgot to draw a check upon rly
bankers before leaving home. You
don't happen to have checkbook in
your writing table there, do you?''
He pointed with his right hand to.
ward my roller desk and | now observed
that he held a revolver in it.
My thoughts had begun to work now.
racked my brain madly for ideas
did not know what course to take
"You Internal murdererl" now
muttered from between my dried ny
lips. "You shall never have farthine
from mel"
'tOh, ohl' he said. '.For shamel
What grudge your own uncle thou.
sand or two from your affluence? Be-
ware. undutiful nephew, lest take an
uncle's privilege and chastise you'll
You dare not shoot that thing off
said '.The noise would alarm the
household, and you would be caught at
once .
"Pooh, there are other ways less
noisy, if need be; moreover, there are
also other checkbooks in the house.
There is the dear countess, your moth.
er's.
"You shall not go near my mother,
I said. "even though you stabbed me
as you stabbed the student. y
You fooll'' he said. Come; write
me the check and let me go. have a
journey to make tonight. and will not
be delayed. Do not make me desperate.
would as soon kill you as not. you
hellhoundl 1t was you that caught the
student and wormed my secrets out OF
him. You would have been dead man
by this but that must have the mon
ey was an internal fool not to stick
knife into you as you sat doing in
that armchair Your mother can pay
the money as easily as you. Come.
now, shall she pay it or your viii
have the cash. mind your
NV mind was working quickly and
well now