Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-10-05
dny looking wen and hearty


81 fear that encounters in the cause of
science may have led the public to be-
lieve that poor Won Stockmar and l
cherished personal animosities. If that
is so, l trust you will use your influence
to contradict it. My sorrow is already
heavy enough-without that unwarrant-
able suspicion"
The professor seemed deeply affected
Removing his spectacles, he pulled from
his side pocket large silk pocket-hand-
kerchief. As he did so, a tnkle caught
my ear. square box of some white
metal had fallen to the floor. 1t rolled
into the lamplight, where the lid flew
open. The professor hastily clapped on
his glasses; but already Graden had re-
trieved the box and was presenting it
to him.
''There was nothing in it, SIR" said he,
for the professor had stopped and was
examining the carpet infinitely.
81 thank you, l thank you"
pray do not mention it. Cousin Rob
ert, if you and the professor will excuse
me, 1 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. Graden
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 were
well nigh deserted. A moon, like a pol
ished shield, hung over the old castle
above us, picking out each turret and
parapet in silver grey against the sleep
ing woods that swept upward to the
skyline. Across our path the gabled
house cast broad, fantastic pools of
shadow. A wind had risen with the
moon, and sighed and quivered in the
roofs and archways. Once. from a dis
tant tavern, came the faint mutter
of a rousing chorus, but soon it was
swallowed and carried away by the
midnight breezes.
We had not far to walk, and In five
minutes the professor was tapping dis
creetly with an ugly devil-face of a
knocker ON Won Stockmar's door. Pres
emily the bolt was drawn. and Hans, the
grey-bearded servant of the dead man,
stood in the doorway, a lamp held high
above his head. He blinked upon us
moodily, with eyes dimmed by old age
and recent tears, TILL catching sight of
Graden's huge bulk, he stepped forward
with a snort of surprise, flashing the
| light In his face as he did 80.
"Ah Goodness but it is Heinrich der
| Crosse" he stammered. ~Achi Herr
Heinrich, but have you forgotten Hans
| of the Schlagers, servant Of the honor
able corps of the Saxo BorusenY
mo, no." said Graden, shaking the
veteran by the hand. 80 our little Her
mann took you for his servant, as he
promised? This is a sad day for us both,
old friend. Tell me, how did it happen p
"Do not ask me, Herr Heinrich. My
mind wanders-I, who served him nigh
on twenty years and was as a father and
mother to him.
The worthy fellow put down the lamp
in the little hall into which he had
led us, and mopped his eyes with a hand
that trembled with emotion.
But Graden persisted in his quiet way
and soon extracted the details. 1t seemed
that it was the custom of the dead pro
fessor to take a nap after his midday
meal. That afternoon, however, his
sleep was unduly prolonged, and at -four
Hans, who knew he had an engagement
about that hour, slipped in to wake him
His master was lying on the couch in his
bedroom, where he was wont to take his
sleSlh. Dut ne was IN curious, nuQ
died position and breathing stertorously
Hans failed to rouse him, became
alarmed, and hurried off for a neighbor
ing doctor. That gentleman diagnosed
the case as a sudden and severe chill
which had settled on the lungs, causing
violent inflammation. Everything posi-
BILE was done, but by eight he was dead
Beyond the remarkable violence of tn,
seizure, the doctor had said, there wal
nothing in the symptoms. Overwork hat
doubtless undermined the constitution
and rendered it vulnerable to a sudder
attack.
And while he was asleep-had b,
vistorsT' asked Graden.
THE street door is never locked dur
ing the day"
But would you not have heard tn,
stepsT"
1T was my custom to sleep too. Her
professor allowed it,"
$50. l should like to take last lool
at your poor master, friend Hans B!
the way, Cousin Robert, where is gu
guide, the learned Marnac? 1 did no
, see him leave the house."
Perhaps the Professor Marnac has al
ready gone to my masters room, tn
second to the right on the first foor,
suggested the old servant.
('fo be continued.)
/