Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-12-15
CHAPTER II.

AitAI L fit II.
In the shadows about the door, yet
outlined with SUFFICIENT clearness against
the black oak Of the wsinscot. a face
stared In upon US. Around the head,
crowned with a black skull-cap, fell a
thick growth Of white hair that was
saint-like In length and beauty; the
beard was Of the like venerable purity.
In man of his apparent age the
cheeks were curiously rosy, while the
hand that held open the door was small
as woman's and defeats as old ivory.
For a moment l thought that the eyes,
exaggerated BY the convex pebbles Of
great gold glasses, turned upon me with
an expression Of malicious satisfaction.
Yet this was but an impression, for the
gloom hung heavily about him where
he stood, and my sight had not been UNI
affected by nights Of study.
"Will not ths gentleman step mp
Graden continued, with a rsprosch at
my unhospitslity In his voice.
Professor Rudolf Marnac-for II was
he who thus honored us-slid his dimin-
utivs figure through the door and ad-
vanced, with courteous inclination,
into the lsmplight.
my dear young SIR" said he, in the
soft musical English with which II was
his custom TO address me, 'I should not
have intruded myself at this late hour
but that l am the bearer OF painful news
which | felt It right to communicate to
you. Your friend, Hermann Won Stock
mar, died this evening Of acute imam
nation Of the lungs"
"Diedr cried In bewildsrment
why. passed him in the street at mid
day looking well and hearty"
Yes, II Is even so, Mr.. Harland. One
moment a steady fame Illuminating this
university with Its light; the next, a sigh
from the conqueror Death and II Is ex-
tinguished. The active brain 10 still;
tho pen, trenchant. incisive, destructive
is laid aside for ever"
1t was an impressive homily; but from
so open and vindictlvs a foe II seemed
slngulsrly Inappropriate.
"You seem surprised" be continued
IT fear that encounters In the cause OF
sciencs may have led the public to be.
lievs that poor Won stockmar and ]
cherished personal animosities. II that
Is so. trust you will us. your influence
to contradict 1t. Ny sorrow is already
heavy enough-without that unwarrant-
able suspicion"
The professor seemed deeply affected
Removing his spectacler, he pulled from
his side pocket a large silk pocket-hand.
kerchlef. As he did 60, a tinkle caugh,
my ear. A square box Of some white
metal had fallen to the foor. Ii rolled
Into the lamplight, where the lid Few
open. The professor hastily clapped on
his glasses; but already Graden had re-
trieved the box and was presenting II
to him.
There was nothing In ii. sir" said he
for the professor had stopped and wa,
examining the carpet infinitely.
II thank you, I thank you"
Pray do not mention Il. Cousin Rob.
ert. II you and the professor will excuse
me, will step across and take a last
look at poor little Hermann. Where are
his rooms?"
Before l could answer, the professor
was on his feet.
Pray accept me as your guide" said
he, moving towards the door. Grader
bowed his thanks like a polite elephant
| followed the pair down the stairs.
1t was growing late. and the narrow
streets Of the students quarter wer,
well nigh deserted. A moon. like a pol
ished shield. hung over the old csstl,
sbovs US, picking out zach turret ant
psrspst In silver grey against the sleep
ing woods that swept upward to thu
skyline Across our path the rsbleS
house cast broad. fantastic pools o
shadow. A wind had risen with tn,
moon, and sighed and quivered in tn
roofs and srchwsyx Once. from dis
tsnt tavern. came the faint mutte
Of rousing chorus. but soon It wa
swallowed and carried away By tn
midnight breezes.
We had not far to walk, and In hv
minutes the professor was tapping dis
crestly with an ugly devil-fscs Of
knocker on Won stockmar's door. Pre-
entity the bolt was drawn. and Hans, tn
srsy-bssrdsd rsrvsnt Of the dead man