Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-11-09

hermann" l answered.
"My dear young lady, am too old for
riddles"
''The writing is mine"
"Is that really SOP" he exclaimed, with
a quick, startled look at me. II could
have guaranteed that it was a mans
hand. Is there nothing private here
may l examiner
"Oh, certainly" I 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 Polleven. There was only
one letter that afternoon, which l placed
amongst the teacups on the tray which
was carrying to the sitting room. As
entered Mr.. Hermann stepped forward
to help me.
81 fear am giving you a 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"
"Yes."
''Then you have no one in the houseT
mo one-save my father"
"Indeed! Is that so?"
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 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 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. G.
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, 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, l 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 l know that the man is
guilty; l believe him to be the victim of
a homicidal mania.
"Hs 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 l 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 Hei-
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 silky white
He wears glasses, but his eyes are un
usually keen and intelligent. His lands
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 il
doubt of any pleasant stranger, l bes
you to note his hands.
ION receipt of your answer I am pre-
pared to come to you at once. shall
then be able to give you further particu
lars.
81 beg you not to disregard this warn
ing, and until you see me to be mos
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."
I glanced up cautiously. Mr.. Her
mann still sat huddled in his seat by thu
fire. One of his hands could see clear
ly, for it lay upon the arm of his chair
1t was small as woman's, and the nails
had received so fine a polish that they
shone pinkly in the freight!
A wild terror clutched at my throat, 81
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 bacl
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.