ning his composure, however, he listened to the recital
without any evidence of emotion, and not one would have imagined that
it had the slightest effect upon him other than that of curiosity,
but after Paul Herscher had departed he threw himself upon his bed
and sobbed bitterly.

In this condition he was found by Edward Sommers a few minutes
afterwards, and almost immediately thereafter he was followed by the
stealthy-moving Brown, who, passing the door of the cell occupied by
Bucholz, and looking in, had discovered the strange proceedings that
were taking place.

Posting himself upon the outside of the cell door Brown endeavored to
listen to what ensued between the two men inside, but to his intense
chagrin and disappointment he discovered that they were talking in
German and he could not understand a word.

Sommers seated himself upon the bed beside his companion, and placing
his hand upon his shoulder endeavored to solace him in his apparent
distress.

"My dear fellow," said he, after Bucholz had told him the cause of
his tears, "do not be so discouraged."

"Ah, how can I help it," replied Bucholz, "when everything seems to
be turning against me?"

"Never mind, Bucholz; you have good lawyers, and they will tell you
what to do," said his companion, soothingly. "Now, tell me, my
friend, how many people ever saw this watch of Mr. Schulte? If he
made no friends, he could not have shown his watch to many people."

"That is so," replied Bucholz, eagerly catching at the suggestion,
and his face brightened at once. "There is only one person who can
identify it--the old man's former servant, Frank Bruner, and he must
be got out of the way."

Sommers gazed at his companion in astonishment. The change in him was
wonderful--the depression of spirits had disappeared entirely, and
this effect had been produced by a proposition to _dispose_ of one
who might prove a damaging witness against him. Rather a strange
suggestion to come from one who was entirely guiltless of crime!

"You are a great fellow, Sommers," continued Bucholz, with glee, "and
after we get out of this we will have a good time together."

"What will we do to have a good time?" asked Sommers, rather
doubtfully.

"We will go to Australia," replied the other, in great good humor,
"and we will enjoy ourselves there, I can tell you."

"Yes, but that will take a great deal of money, and where is that to
come from?"

"Never you mind about the money; I w