Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-11-23

"
my dear young lady, am too old for
riddles"
1.-THE writing is mine"
"Is that really so?" he exclaimed, with
quick, startled look at me. 81 could
have guaranteed that it was a mans
hand Is there nothing private here
may 1 examiner
"Oh, certainly" l said. "They are
letters to tradesmen."
He picked up the sheets, and moving
to the window examined them closely.
"You are sure this is your writing
there is no mistaken" he said presently.
l was rather annoyed at his persist
ence, and, telling him curtly enough that
the writing was mine, went out to get
the tea. At the kitchen door was the
small boy who brought us our letters and
papers from Poileven. There was only
one letter that afternoon, which l placed
amongst the teacups on the tray which
1 was carrying to the sitting room. AS
entered Mr.. Hermann stepped forward
to help me.
81 fear am giving you great deal of
trouble" said he.
"Please don't apologize" 1 answered,
laughing. II always do it when our ser
want Is out"
"As she is now?"
Eyes"
"Then you have no one in the house?"
mo one-save my father"
Indeed Is that soT'
He dropped into chair by the fire and
sat staring into the Goals, his chin rest
ing on his hand. Certainly his behavior
was extremely odd that afternoon. AS
he did not speak, 1 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 a person of the name of
Sir Henry Graden had called for Can
tabs" address, and inquiring whether he
might have permission to disclose it. He
forwarded, he added, a letter from Sir
Henry, which, as he believed, contained
an explanation of this request.
l have the original letter before me
now. This is how it runs:
"Jerrold's Hotel,
Strand, London, w. @.
ITO 'Cantab.'
my Dear Sir-As Mr.. ROLES, the
editor of the University Review, has not
seen fit to inform me Of yosr name and
present address, l have written this let
ter on the understanding that it will be
forwarded to you Immediately. l 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 fugitive from the
police. The charge against him is one
of murder. 1 know that the man is
guilty; believe him to be the victim of
homicidal mania.
His mania is of an unusual type, be-
ing directed solely against his scien-
| tifc opponents. In the University Re
view of August last You criticised his
book with extreme severity. He saw
that number, for 1 have in my posses
sion a copy of the article covered with
the most dangerous threats against you
in his own handwriting. Two distin-
guished scientists, Won Stockmar of Hell
delberg and Mechersky of st. Petersburg,
who similarly attacked him in the papers,
have already fallen victims to his ex-
traordinary cunning. You will observe,
sir, the logical conclusion. Until he is
captured you will be in danger.
For your personal information l may
tell you that he is a 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 UNI
usually keen and intelligent. His Inds
are small and beautifully made, his fin
ger nails being apparently manicured. In
whatever disguise he may assume, he will
probably continue to keep them in good
condition. He may change his appear
| L., N &c N
doubt of any pleasant stranger, beg
you to note his hands.
"On receipt OF your answer l am pre-
pared to come to you at once. shall
then be able to give you further particu-
lars.
II beg you not to disregard this warn
ing and until you see me to be most
careful in your movements. Of course
/ if your pseudonym is an absolute secret
you will be safe enough. But there are
always chances.
Sincerely yours,
HENRY GRADEN (BarD."
1 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 womans, and the nails
had received so fine 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 it my blood came surging back
into alert activity. There may be many
an English girl who loves her father as
dearly as l do mine, but there is never
one Of them that lives him more.
can say honestly that after that first
great shock of fear my mind was swept