Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-11-23


the tea. At the kitchen door was the
small boy who brought us our letters and
papers from Polleven. There was only
one letter that afternoon, which placed
amongst the teacups on the tray which
was carrying to the sitting room. As
entered Mr.. Hermann stepped forward
to help me.
II fear / am giving you a great deal of
trouble" said he.
please don't apologize" answered,
laughing. Il always do it when our SER
want is out"
"As she is nowT'
eyes"
"Then you have no one in the house7"
"No one-save my father"
Indeed! Is that soT'
He dropped into a 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, opened the envelope,
which was addressed to my father. 1t
contained a second letter, and, a 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.
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 your name and
present address, I have written this let
ter on the understanding that 1t will be
forwarded to you Immediately. | 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. / 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-
tific opponents. In the University Re
view of August last you criticised his
book with extreme severity. He saw
that number, for / 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 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 un-
usually keen and intelligent. His lRnds
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
ance in many ways; but if you are in
doubt of any pleasant stranger, l beg
you to note his hands.
son 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 viii be safe enough. But there are
always chances.
Sincerely yours,
"HENRY GRADEN (Barb."
l glanced up cautiously. Mr.. Her
mann still sat huddled in his seat by the
fire, One of his hands could see clear
| ly, for it lay upon the arm of his chair.
1t was small as a woman's, and the nails
had received so fine polish that they
shone pinkly in the freight!
A wild terror clutched at my throat, 50
that for 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 loves him more.
can say honestly that after that first
great shock of fear my mind was swept
! clean of my own danger. For my father
was ready to meet death on his owr
ground, at his own terms, and try tbs
issue.
And yet my first act was one of sucl
folly that can hardly bring myself t
set 1t down. Perhaps 1t was that the
words of the letter were rioting in my
head; perhaps that my whole will was
centered in an effort to control the tone.
of my voice.
"Do you take sugar in your tea, Prof
MarnacT'
That was what said to him.
1t was out, and could not recall 1t
AS he rose, sprang back, placing tbs
table between MS. A cup, caught by my
skirt, smashed loudly on the floor. S,
we stood watching each other.
He showed no sign of anger. Only
the expression of his eyes had changed t
a cold, sneering insolence that was 1
most dreadful thing to see in so old I
man.
II observe, dear lady, that you hold
letter in your hand" said he without
harsh note in his musical voice. MAY
suggest that it contained the discover!
which you so very incautiously have an
nouRcedP
Il shall answer no questions"
''If you win consider, dear lady, yOl