The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-22

more IMAM a little. the more SO as he
soon came to realize that the latters
knowledge of the subject of philology
could not be far behind his own. if,
indeed, ii were not superior. So much
did Sir James esteem the mysterious
DR.. Minor, in fact, that whenever he
had completely finished his analysis Of
the history of any one word, he was
In the habit of sending the full notes
connected Herewith to his correspon
dent in Crowthorne for his final revis-
ion. which, more often than not was
productive of some important addition
or exceedingly Illuminating criticism
or other comment.
For many months this went on
Eventually, so much did Sir James feel
himself and oxford university in the
debt of the mysterious servant, ire
warding whose social status the dis
tinguished photographer could not
make even a guess), that he one day
approached the university heads and
pointed out that 1t would, so he con-
sidered be a graceful and well merited
act on their part If an invitation be
sent to the Berkshire savant asking
him to be the guest of the university
for week, during which time every
possible honor should be paid to him.
The powers-that-be at the univer-
sity readily agreed, and the invitation
was sent. In due course a reply was
received from DIR. Minor in which he
expressed his deep appreciation of the
invitation. which he described as the
greatest honor ever shown him, but
| regretted profoundly that it was i'm
possible for him tc accept It, This
reply came as a considerable disap-
pointment to Sir James Murray, who
had looked forward with keen pleasure
to hobnob bing with his unknown COL
league. who. he now surmised, must
I, II
penses of the proposed journey.
Accordingly, on behalf of the uni
versity, Sr James wrote once more.
explaining that, if the question of
expense was the stumbling block. DR..
Minor was to understand that their
Invitation began on his doorstep and
ended there, and that all parties con-
cerned hoped sincerely that he. would
| not deprive them of the privilege of
| entertaining him.
The doctors reply came promptly.
| He stated that thezreasons which made
| Ii impossible for him to visit the uni
versity We're not financial but physi-
cal noes He added, however. that as
| 1t would give him the keenest pleasure
| to have an opportunity of making the
acquaintance of Sir James. he begged
that the proposition should be reversed.
and that Sir James would be his guest
| for day or two and this at as early
| date as the latter could manage. DR..
Minor added that he personally could
| not come to the station to greet his
guest, but that he would send his car
riage. Sir James, being by this time
| overpoweringly curious as to his cor
| respondents identity, promptly accept
| ed the proposition, and. few days
later. took train for Crowthorne.
| After a journey of a couple of hours,
he arrived at the nearest railway sta
ton thereto, namely Wellington col
lege, and was met by a liveried SER
lsvant, who asked il he were DR.. Murray,
and. on being given an affirmative
answer, explained that he came from
DR.. Minor and led the way to a hand
| some brougham, drawn by two fine
| horses which was waiting near at
| hand. Sir James entered the brougham
and, after ride of couple of miles,
| found himself being driven into the
courtyard of huge brick mansion of
| forbidding appearance, as to whose
| character he could not even make a
surmise.
"Have the kindness to follow me"
| SIR said the servant and straightway
| conducted the puzzled savant up a
| gloomy staircase and through cor
| ridor, ushering him eventually into a
we'll appointed private office. at which
| a man of Enthusiastically official ap-
| pearance was sitting at desk
! The latter promptly arose and greeted
his visitor with impressive politeness.
"Dr. Minor?, presume" ventured the
puzzled philologist.
+ me, sDr.zM Murray replied the unknown.
| II am not DR.. Minor, but he is here.
| and meanwhile / don't suppose you have
| the slightest idea where you are. This
| is Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic asylum,
and I am the governor
| DIR. Murray stood speeches..
| 81 had better explain at once con-
| tinued the governor that DR.. Minor,
with whom you have been corresponding.
| is an inmate of this Institution. He Is,
| In fact a murderer" Sir James gasped.)
| CDR Minor is a citizen of the United
States" the governor went on. and
when he came to us he was not in his
right mind. Since that time. however,
he has completely recovered his sanity.
He is, as you have discovered, man
of great brillancy, and uncommon learn
! ing Soon after his recovery, he re-
quested to be permitted to have books,
to which we readily consented, and. as
he is a member of a wealthy family in
the United States he has been able to
provide himself with an exceptionally
fine library. He also, 1t appears, has
made hobby of words and their history,
and he has taken the keenest interest in
Ihis work In connection with your die
tonary. Today he is as sane as you or
+, and has, indeed, been offered his lib