The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-11-01
CHAPTER XXI.

Il.
In my narrative, now drawing to its
conclusion, 1 have endeavored to avoid
emotion or exaggeration. Yet as / glance
over its pages. 1 cannot proclaim myself
as satisfied. On such an evening as this,
with the summer woodlands beneath the
cottage basking in the tender glory Of
the suns farewell, with the silence of
the day that is ending holding the quiet
helds-on such an evening, say, my
story, even to myself, appears impossible.
a nightmare born in the land of evil
dreams Yet have but to turn my eyes
to where my dearest wife sits at her
work, to know that it is true; for il was
IN that time of danger that Providence
gave me the most generous of the gifts
that can be bestowed upon man.
Two days after Marnac escaped from
our pursuit at Southampton, a little coun-
Gil was gathered in the parlor of DR..
Weston's cottage at Cornish Polleyen-
In his great armchair by the fire sat the
old scholar, with the lamplight exposing
the delicate fragility of a face whereon
consumption had set its warning. In odd
contrast was my cousin, Sir Henry Ora
den, who confronted him. Great-stat-
ured, stern, keen-eyed. he was Of that
type that can fearlessly execute, as well
as intelligently conceive, a plan. Mary
Weston was on a cushion at her fathers
knee, his hand in hers; and it was NOR
often to that noble girl that my glance
wandered than TO my cousin, though, in
deed it was he who now set before us
the position of affairs.
II was right. he said, that DR.. Weston
should know, even as his daughter knew.
thu danger that hung over u.s. And so.
from its commencement, he told that ter
rible story; how Marnac, the celebrated
Heidelberg professor, had been seized
with a partial mania born of heredity,
nurtured by overwork, brought suddenly
TO the light of the violent attacks deliv-
cred against a book on which he had
spent half his life; how he had planned
TO destroy his more bitter adversaries,
and how, by his insane cunning. be had
brought about the deaths of Won Stock
mar and Mechersky; how, in his des-
perate fight from our pursuit, he had
killed the son of Reski, the Polish inn
keeper; how he had come to England
to end his vengeance upon DIR. Weston;
and how he had been led to believe that
dry WIS tue Wfltck VI Tic Hh4Sh
had incensed him. All this he explained:
and while he spoke, the shadow of the
terror seemed to creep over our very
souls, so that we drew together ike
sheep that hear the cry of wolves in the
snow-clad hills.
II was Dr. Weston who first broke the
silence that followed Graden's conclu-
sion.
you have referresi to a certain book
or diary belonging to this Marnac," said
he, for indeed my cousin had mentioned
that discovery at Heidelberg. And
gather that from it you first learned the
mares of the scientific enemies against
whom an attack might be directed Did
this mailman include in his butchers list
any persons besides Won Stockmar,
Mechersky, and myselfT
There were several other Names" re-
piled my cousin: 'but do not think their
criticisms were suficiently severe TO
place them in serious danger. | have,
however communicated with them all.
On the least suspicion they will Inform
the police and also telegraph to me at
ny London house. My servant there is
kept informed of my address from day to
day."
And the policer
I'm international matters they move
slowly. Ii has been chase a.ross
Europe. remember. Months have often
elapsed before very ordinary criminals
have been arrested. But this man is a
remarkable linguist: he has some five
hundred pounds yet in his possession. ana
he has the cunning common to the par
tally insane The ENGLISH police have
full information. but by this time he
may be in France or Belgium"
what, then. do you propose, Sir Hen
ryT
For the moment we have no definite
objective 1t would be useless for us 10
start for the continent without further
information Until it reaches us. we
shall stay in this country.
Il quite understand. | trust that for
the ten days that We still have at Poll
even. you wiz consider yourselves my
suests-though / fear that the size of
my cottage forbids me asking you to
leave your quarters at the inn."
Are you, then, returning to Cam
bridge. DIR. Weston? I thought you had
settled here for the winter?" asked my
cousin
1T was so intended. but my doctors
have ordered me to the Engadine. They
say--it is my only chance, Sir Henry"
Mary weston's eyes rose to her faith
er's face in one brief, pitiful glance, and
then her head dropped forward Poor
girl. she knew that he had spoken truly.
The Engadine"
Graden rose in his ponderous fashion
and stood with his back to the fire. /
could see that the intelligence. concerned
him-concerned him, indeed, 90 nearly
for immediate comment. 1t was some
moments before he spoke again.
Forgive me, DIR. Weston he said.
''but is this a sudden resoluti mp
1--WE decided yesterday"
'Is it common property? Do the vii
layers known
Really, Sir Henry, have no idea. L
should not think they know"
Il will be quite plain with you, DR..
Weston, for that Is always the best. I'm
til this mailman is secured, you and your
daughter 90 in some danger. You should
be safe enough in Switzerland, If you
keep your address a secret. But even
then we must arrange that you have
traFefln& companion tnat can De trust
ed"
Il shall be very glad to CO." inter-
5ected-
mo. Robert. that will never do" he
said. ITO divide our forces would be
the worst generalship- Our duty is plain
We must be prepared to strike at the en-
envy wherever he may be found Other
wise. there will be weeks of anxiety for
Us all, and heaven knows what devilish
work going forward. Whom can we
send? That we must first decide"
There is Mossel: l suggested. recall
Ing the aid that stubborn German police
man had already rendered us.
He would come gladly enough. But
I do not think the Heidelberg authorities
would sanction his departure on so vague
a journey. No! I am afraid Mossel
is out of the question"
What of Reski? / saw him find the
body of his son; he would travel to the
worlds end if it brought a chance to meet
the murderer"
The very man. / thank you, Cousin
Robert"