The Washington times., 1905-11-26


omission or eXaggeratiOn. II /
have failed. it is not from for
getfuIness; for I do not think
there is a single detail that is not
permanently fixed in my memory. Even
now have but to shut my eyes to see
the face OF Marnac peer into my old
rooms at Heidelberg, to stand once
more trembling with terror in the DESC
late court yard of Castle Oster. to drive
through the binding snow 10 where the
body. But enough. do not forget.
have already told you of the murder
of Prof. Won Stockmar by his rival.
Prof. Marnac. of Heidelberg. and of the
discovery of the crime by my cousin.
Sir Henry Graden. the well-known
scientist and explorer. who was then
my guest at that university. ] have de-
Ecribed the steps that led to our fol-
lowing the murderer to Lemsdorf. in
German Poland. and the means by
which he cempassed the death of the
unfortunate Mechersky. I have, more
over. laid before you the evidence that
led my cousin 10 believe that Marnac
was suffering from decisions, and that
his extraordinary crimes were in
revenge for certain harsh criticisms OF
a book on which he had spent many
years of labor. In my statement trac-
ed The pursuit down to the station of
Lemsdorf. where the murderer. flying
from the scene OF his revenge upon the
Russian professor. had been turned
back from the railway by MosseI, the
lieutenant OF the Heidelberg police, who
had followed US to render assistance.
MosseI. indeed. had waited by Msrnac's
luggage for six hours. but the man him
self had failed to appear
The winters sun. chilled TO a dusky
ball. was dipping behind the snow-clad
ridges to the eastward when we scram-
bied back into the sleigh. As our tired
horses stumbled through the outskirts
Of the struggling wooden town, the
shadows rushed across the sky as IL
flying the pursuit OF the gale that
Ehrieked among the houses. Night had
fallen.
Surely We had him ii our hands.
He had not fed BY rail. Somewhere
In the town he must be lurking, this
gray-haired figure with the heart OF a
hunted wolf The thought of it drove
away the aches and cramps Of exhaus
ton, and I sat bolt upright in my seat.
staring into the gloom ahead, half ex-
pecting to see him move across the
snow before Us like sinking beast OF
10 cur own inn, the -'Goldner Adler
where, as we had discovered. Marnac
under the name Of Wakefield, an Eng
hsh traveller. had also passed the pre-
Fiotis evening. Little had we thought
mat the being We pursued. fresh from
Inc murder Of the man we had come 10
save. was sharing the same roof-trea
Perhaps there might be news OF him At
the -Goldner Adler Resli. the talI
handsome Pole. who had about him
more OF the fendal knight than a coun-
ny mn keeper. met US in the porch
bowling stately welcome.
You have nad a bad drive sentle-
men, said he The wind has been
fierce, and the snow. fear. was bea,rv
Supper Will be ready in half an hour.
believe a Mr. George Wakefield
slept here last night" said Graden.
ehsuns tho clinging flakes from his
outer wraps 1T is always pleasant 20
meet compatriot. If he is stnn in tho
house. perhaps he viii join us at our
meal"
Herr Wakefield, No. mein Herr. he
has not yet returned.
So. he has gone out2''
The innkeeper hesitated, glaneing IN
easily at his questioner. He was esri-
IDENTIFY n some uncertainty Of mind.
field; though, perhaps, for an English
man
He IS not more mad than usual oh
fdr. Landlord2'' laughed Graden.
aein Herr, IL was not my intention
10 speak thus OF your great people. -
apoiogized the man. IF he has sur
pTfsed rs, st is doubtless because we.
being ignorant countryfo1k, do not IN
derstsnd his custonls.'
Why what has lac been about"
Wen, Nein Herr. it is this way.
After YOU had started for your drive
10 the house of the Prof. Mechersky.
Herr Wakefield came running down from
his room with many questions concern
ing YOU He seemed sorry that you had
gone without seeing him. He then paid
his bill with the IiberaIty OF the Eng
fish, who are indeed a great and gener-
Gus nation, and commanded that his
luggage should be carried 10 the station
for the midday train. At II he himself
set out for the station upon foot. We
were sorry 70 lose so good a guest.
What, then, mein Herr, was our sur
prise when a little sitter L he reap
peared, having ridden back upon the
sleigh that had taken his baggage 10
the station! The man who drove IL told
me that Herr Wakefield had left his
baggage upon the platform unregis-
tered. and that he had seen a stranger
standing by IL as If in charge"
Graden glanced at Mossel. who grinned
LUMINOSITY.
Proceed. Mr.. Landlord, he said
He had only peeped into the station
ana left at once. the msn said. He
demanded OF me a sleigh and good
horses. but the best I had were with
you, and Il was necessary 10 send for
others from a neigh0or. He was very
impatient Of delay, using angry words
At last he drove away, and he has not
returned"
who went with him?'
Ivan. my eldest son.
Did he say where he was going7'
no. mein Herr; only I heard him cry