Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-11-24

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one letter that afternoon, which l placed
amongst the teacups on the tray which
was carrying to the sitting room. As
entered Mr.. Hermann stepped forward
to help me.
81 fear am giving you a great deal Of
trouble" said he.
please don't apologize" | answered
laughing. 81 always do 1t when our ser
want is out"
"As she Is nowT'
Eyes"
'Then you have no one in the house?'
mo one-savs my father"
Indeed! Is that so?"
He dropped into a chair by the fire and
sat staring into the Goals, his chin rest
ing on his haAd. Certainly his behavior
was extremely odd that afternoon. As
he did not speak opened the envelope,
which was addressed to my father. 1t
contained a second letter, and short
note from the editor of the University,
stating that person Of the name OF
Sir Henry Graden had called for Can
tabs" address, and inqulring whether he
might have permission to disclose 1t. He
forwarded. he added a letter from Sir
Henry, which, as he believed, contained
an explanation Of this request.
have the original letter before me
now. This Is how it runs:
"Jerrold's Hotel,
STRAND, London, w. G.
ITO 'Cantab.'
my Dear Sir-As Mr.. ROLES, the
editor of the University Review, has not
seen fit to inform me of your name and
present address, l have written this let
ter on the understanding that it will be
forwarded tc you Immediately. | should
much have preferred to explain the mat
ter personally, but as l may not receive
your answer for several days, | dare not
delay. 1t is my duty to inform you that
Prof. Rudolf Marnac, Of the University
of Heidelberg, is now a fugitive from the
police. The charge against him is one
of murder. l know that the man is
guilty; | believe him to be the victim of
a homicidal mania.
His mania Is of an unusual type, be-
ing directed solely against his scien-
tific opponents. In the University Re
view Of August last you criticised his
book with extreme severity. He saw
that number, for l have in my posses
sion 4 copy Of the article covered with,
the most dangerous threats against you
in his SwR handwriting. Two distin-
gulshed scientists, Won Stockmar Of Hell
delberg and Mschersky of st. Petersburg.
who similarly attacked him in the papers
have already fallen victims to his ak
traordinary cunning. You will observe,
sir, the logical conclusion Until he Is
90. l.. -.
For your personal information | may
tell you that he IL Il man Of over sixty
years of age. When last seen <he had a
long beard which was of a silky white
He wears glasses. but his eyes are un-
usually keen and intelligent His sands
are small and beautifully made, his 6n-
ger nails being apparently manicured. In
whatever disguise he may assume, he viii
probably continue to keep them in good
condition. He may change his appear
ance in many ways; but If you are In
doubt Of any pleasant stranger, beg
you to note his hands.
ION receipt Of your answer l am pre-
pared to come to you at once, shall
then be able to give you further particu-
lars.
ing, and until you see me TO be most
careful in your movements. OF course,
il your pseudonym is an absolute secret.
you will be safe enough. But there are
always chances.
Sincerely yours,
HENRY GRADEN Bart"
glanced up cautiously. Mr.. Her
mann still sat huddled in his seat by the
fire. One Of his hands l could see clear
ly, for it lay upon the arm of his chair.
1t was small as a woman's. and the nails
had received 30 fine a polish that they
shone pinkly in the freight!
A wild terror clutched at my throat, So
that for a space l sat dumb and motion
less gasping for breath. But then there
came to me the realization Of the purpose
for which this man had come, and at the
| thought Of 1t my blood came surging back
into alert activity. There may be many
an English girl who loves her father as
dearly as do mine, but there is never
| one of them that loves him more
can say honestly that after that frs
great shock of fear my mind was swept
clean of my own danger. For my father
was ready to meet death on his OWL
ground, at his own terms, and try tbs
issue
And yet my first act was one of such
folly that l can hardly bring myself tc
set It down. Perhaps 1t was that tn,
words of the letter were rioting in ms
head; perhaps that my whole will wa.
centered in an effort to control the tone:
of my voice.
DO you take sugar in your tea, Prof
MarnacY
That was what I said to him.
1t was out, and | could not recall II
AS he rose, l sprang back, placing tn,
liable between us. A cup, caught by M
SKIRT smashed loudly on the floor. S,
We stood watching each other.
de showed no sign of anger. Onl-
the expression Of his eyes had changed I,
cold. sneering insolence that was {
most dreadful thing 10 see in SO old
man.
observe, dear lady, that you hold ,
} letter in your hand" said he, without ,
! marsh note in his musical voice. MAY
suggest that it contained the discover,
- winch you so very incautiously have an
hounced?"