ct his deliverance. He also suggested that if he could once
get out of the jail he could work for his friend--in whose welfare he
was warmly interested--in a manner that would greatly benefit him.

Bucholz, apparently ignoring this proposition, seemed anxious to
revert to their previous conversation, and began by referring to his
friendly relations with Henry Schulte during his lifetime, and
complained of the absurdity of placing him in jail upon the charge of
murdering him.

"Why," said he, "he promised to take me with him to Germany and make
me inspector of his estates there, and I should probably have been
heir to many thousands of dollars at his death. Would I not be a fool
to kill him?"

Sommers listened patiently to the long recital, which he knew did not
contain a particle of truth, and upon its conclusion he remarked, in
a light, careless way:

"Now, William, between you and I, I actually believe that you had
something to do with this murder."

Again that deathly pallor overspread his face; he became confused and
scarcely able to speak--but at length, recovering himself with an
effort, he declared his innocence, and said that he could not sit
upon the bed enjoying health if he had done this deed, or knew the
parties who had.

"Why," continued he, "I would not have gone to Norwalk that night and
reported the murder if I had done it. Ah, my dear Sommers, you will
learn when you go to Norwalk yourself from everybody there that all
my actions have been those of an innocent man."

Sommers looked doubtfully at his friend, and when he had finished
speaking, he said:

"Well, Bucholz, it is none of my business. I hate to see you in this
difficulty, and no matter whether you had anything to do with it or
not, I will do all that I can to get you out of it. I feel almost as
badly about it as you do."

"Ah, Sommers, I tremble at the thought of a verdict of guilty! I
think I should die upon the spot if I should hear that word."

Sommers comforted him as well as he was able to do; promised him
whatever assistance that was in his power to render him, and by
repeated assurances, he succeeded in quieting his fears and restoring
his tranquillity.

It was finally agreed between them that Sommers should make a decided
effort to be admitted to bail, and then securing his liberty, he
should devote himself to the interests of his friend Bucholz, but
during all their after conferences he never asserted his innocence to
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