could here be very easily employed. He
would obtain by theft, through the agency of Lootz, the letters which
Pranken had received. He rejected this course, however. Yet once, when
Pranken had ridden in haste to the railway station, just after he had
received another large letter, he went toward his room. He would have
no go-between. He could surely get possession of the letters, and
Pranken was no doubt careless enough to render unnecessary breaking
open any locks or picking them.

In a sudden attack of loyalty, however, he turned away from the
threshold.

Pranken returned, bringing the news that he was in danger; but
earnestly begged to be excused from giving any particulars.

Sonnenkamp embraced the excited young man, and made him promise not to
engage in any duel without his knowledge.

Reluctantly Pranken gave him his hand upon this, and departed.

While Eric was yet at his mother's, Sonnenkamp came thither with a
letter in his hand. He first expressed his joy at seeing the
Professorin so full of new life; then, saying that he had a letter from
her friend, he handed her one written by Professor Einsiedel, and added
with a smile:

"These learned gentlemen have very good memories. I had forgotten
having invited the man."

The Professorin read Einsiedel's letter, in which he said that he
should not be lecturing next winter, and was ready to accept
Sonnenkamp's invitation, and to take up his abode for some time at
Villa Eden.

As the Professorin smilingly gave back the letter, a gleam of furtive
triumph shot from Sonnenkamp's eyes. Then this new specimen of
humanity, this puritanic infidel, has her own private affinity. Perhaps
she felt the malicious glance; for she said, in a very decided
manner,--

"I should be very glad to have the noble man come to us. His visit
would be a great deal to me, and, perhaps, to others also. In the first
place, I know of nothing better for Roland; for you, Eric, are so
entirely accustomed to him, that you do not now offer him that support
which he, perhaps, may need for a long time yet."

Sonnenkamp's countenance relaxed. It was nothing after all. This woman
seemed in truth noble and pure; for she was not so prudent, no one
could be so prudent, as to assume forthwith such a mask of virtue. He
was not a little astonished, however, when Eric, with all sorts of
excuses and pretexts, gave it as his opinion that it was not wise to
transport the Professor's delicately organized n