ilhelm was working in some important
researches, and it was possible that the results would destroy some
existing theories.

The professor followed the experiments with great attention, and many
times spoke of him as his best pupil in difficult work. That was
Barinskoi's excuse for asking Wilhelm if he would initiate him into his
work, and explain to him his hypotheses and methods. He added, with his
submissive smile and nervous rubbing of the hands, that the Heir Doctor
might be quite easy about the priority of his discoveries, as he was
quite prepared to write an explanation that he stood in the position of
pupil to the Heir Doctor, and had only a share in his discoveries in
common with others. Wilhelm contented himself by replying that priority
was nothing to him, and that he did not work for fame, but because he
was ignorant and sought for knowledge.

Thereupon Barinskoi said he was very happy to have found some one with
the same views as himself, he also thought that fame was nonsense, that
knowledge was the only essential thing, that it gave power over things
and men, that the ideal was to proceed unknown and unnoticed through
life, making the others dance without knowing who played on the
instrument. That was not what Wilhelm meant, but he let it go without
denying it. Barinskoi also tried to claim him for a fellow-countryman,
but Wilhelm stopped him, explaining that he was a German, although born
beyond the frontier of his fatherland. This slight did not disconcert
Barinskoi; he endeavored to produce an impression on Wilhelm, and if
one shut one's eyes to his ugliness and fawning ways he was a
well-informed man; harshness was not in Wilhelm's nature, so he held
out no longer against Barinskoi's importunity--who very soon
accompanied him home from the laboratory, visited him uninvited in his
rooms, invited him to supper at his restaurant, which Wilhelm twice
declined, the third time, however, he had not the courage to refuse. In
spite of this Barinskoi would not see that his invitation was only
accepted out of politeness. There were many things reserved and
unsociable about Barinskoi; for example, he never invited any one to
his rooms. He called for his letters at the post office. The address he
gave, and under which he was entered at the University office,
described him as a newspaper correspondent, which agreed with his daily
readings and writings. He frequently disappeared for two or three days,
after which