Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-10-20
CHAPTER "
1.-THE MYSTERY OF THE LENS
D0RE HAM

How Rudolf Marnac, the venerable 1
savant, brought about the death of his |
rival and critic Professor Won Stock
mar, of Heidelberg University. / have
already explained / have. moreover, re-
lated the accident by which my cousin,
Sir Henry Graden. the famous explorer
and scientist, CHANGED TO be visiting me, |
4 student of medicine at the German uni
versity; and l have endeavored to outline
the steps by which the baronet arrived
ut the discovery of the crime that had
been committed. l have now to tell of
the pursuit of Marnac. the murderer; a
pursuit as strange in its outset as it was
terrible in its conclusion For this the
first adventure in the chase of this in
human monster, it may be said that l
have chosen a fanciful title. Yet THE
Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham" is too
appropriate to be neglected for that rea-
SON.
At the first the Heidelberg police met
our theory of Won Stockmars death with
incredulity. When they moved in earn
est it was too late; all trace of Professor
Marnac had been lost. 1t was disc0v-
cred that he had taken from his rooms
a small travelling valise and a consid-
cradle sum in ready money; but beyond
these facts nothing was known; even his
manner of leaving Heidelberg was a
mystery.
For myself, the weeks that followed
were in every respect intolerable. From
a peaceful student | found myself trans
formed into a secret ally of the police.
an unhappy being whose privacy was
liable to be disturbed at all hours by
al
the authorities had detained my cousin,
and those who are intimates of Sir
Henry Graden will understand that
suffered at his hands. In the capture of
the murderer-as we knew Marnac to be
he took passionate interest He was
forever in my rooms, denouncing the
authorities for their delay, advancing
theories, or cursing his own inaction.
The lieutenant in charge of the Heidel-
berg police went in absolute terror of
the Englishman. and, indeed, refused all
interviews in which he was not adequate
ly protected by his satellites.
On a calm October morning I was sit
ting reading by my window, thankful of
the momentary quiet l enjoyed when the
door burst open and my cousin come
frolicking into the room. admit the abb
surdity of the expression when applied
to a middle-aged giant of sixteen stone;
but frolicking describes it. Without a
word of apology he seized my book, a
new edition of Digestive Organs of Mol
luscs." and flung it into the fireplace. 1t
was too much.
Henry Graden," said 1, starting up
Indignantly, you are my cousin, but you
presume on that relationship. These
school-boy antics are insupportable."
Capital, Robertl capital" he an
swered, regarding me with a comical
expression. II say there's stuff in the
boy! You'd like to punch my head,
supposeT
l was somewhat ashamed of my out
burst, and picked up the book, which
was greatly damaged, before l replied
Its all very well. Cousin Graden,
said sulkily enough. But between
you and the police. l am worried t.
death"
"GoodI Then you can have no OBJ
lection to leaving Heidelberg this after
noon"
'Leave Heidelberg Why should
leave HeidelbergT
He strobe over to where l stood ant
laid his great hand on my shoulder will
a touch that implied an apology.
"a schoolboy you called me just now
That's just what l am, a scboolboy lie
loose on the playground. The police hav
raised their embargo. An address whicl
will bring me when they have need o
my evidence-that is all they ask. Now
/ want a travelling companion-a ma
l can trust. You can guess my errand
Cousin Robert. Before a week is out
shall have my hand on him, 1 shall, b.
heaven You will come with me? Goo
lad, knew it. The train leaves at three
I'll call for you"
But where are we going? 1 shouted
running to the door; for already he wa
down Z score of stairs.
port?"
"Yes-but Cousin Graden, Cousi
Graden, l say
door slam behind him. ST. Petersbur
and the winter coming on. EughI
had always detested cold. But next I
escaping misfortune it is best to posses
a philosophic mind. l commenced to pac
my bag with my warmest underwear
At thirty-ive minutes past two Grade
sent up word to say that he had a ca
waiting my pleasure, and in three mil
utes more my luggage was upon 1t. Hal
way down the main street we chance
upon Mossel, the fat lieutenant of polio
He glanced at us keenly, with, as
thought, a certain suspicion. Grade
saluted him coldly, muttering maledi
tions upon him for a stupid ass. The
was no great friendship between the tw
l paid the cab while my cousin saw
the tickets. Five marks provided I
ord nd