draw off the lightning, which often struck
and cut off the conducting rods as nicely as if done with a sharp file.

They had removed the lights, and saw only the little blue flame, which
Roland watched with childish delight. It was easy to explain the
operation of the electro-magnetic telegraph, and Roland said,--

"Even if Franklin was not acquainted with this, he yet first caught the
lightning."

"Do you think that he could know what would be the results?"

Eric endeavored to explain to Roland, that in all discovery, invention,
creation and action, there is a great bond of unity, a continual
process of development. And here in this dark room, while the little
blue flame was dancing, and the three persons hardly venturing to speak
aloud soon became utterly speechless, the soul of the youth was touched
with a feeling of devotion, and raised far above the range of ordinary
experience. The separation from his parents, the pleasure that had
allured him, all had vanished, had sunk out of sight, as if he were
living on some star remote from the earth.

The storm had ceased, and a copious rain was falling; when the window
was re-opened, Roland said, gently taking Eric's hand, and looking out
into the night,--

"Can one not imagine, that the soul in the bodies of human beings moves
like the electrical spark on the wire?"

Eric made no reply. He saw that the boy was beginning to see something
of the enigma of life; he must work it out for himself, and could not
and must not be helped at present. And this trifling question gave
assurance that the higher life could be preserved in the youth; he had
overcome the desire of dissipation, and had given himself up to what
could not be made slavishly subject to his will.

The telegraphist gave an account of Sonnenkamp's frightful appearance
and conduct on the night that Roland was missing. He said in a
low tone to Eric, that he himself was afraid of the man, and that
notwithstanding the considerable sum of money which he offered him to
remain there through the night, he had pleaded as an excuse the want of
official orders, because he would not remain alone with Sonnenkamp for
all the gold in the world.

Eric perceived that Roland had heard the last remark notwithstanding
the low tone, and said in a jesting way, that a man who has to deal
with the nervous filaments extended over the earth might very readily
become nervous himself.

The telegraphist assented, and had many wond