e ascertained that he had been released
on bail, and that he had found friends to assist him. He never saw
him again. Whether this individual was an embryo detective, who was
desirous of discovering the mystery of the Schulte murder, or whether
he was simply a victim of intense curiosity, was never learned.

He disappeared, and, so far as his relation to this narrative is
concerned, was never heard of again.

CHAPTER XXV.

_Sommers' Visit to South Norwalk._--_He makes the Acquaintance of
Sadie Waring._--_A Successful Ruse._--_Bucholz Confides to His Friend
the Hiding Place of the Murdered Man's Money._

Upon the return of Edward Sommers to the jail at Bridgeport he was
warmly welcomed by his friend, to whom the intervening days had
passed slowly and wearily.

His greeting was cordial and friendly, and as Sommers related his
experiences during his absence, the eyes of William would light up
with pleasure. No one to have looked at him now would have imagined
for a moment that the face now wreathed with smiles had once been
distorted by a murderous passion, or grown ashen pale with the fear
of the consequences of his action.

Their conversation was long and seemingly interesting, and as Sommers
unfolded his plans for the relief of the imprisoned man, all doubt of
their success was dissipated from his mind, and visions of
prospective safety came thick and fast. He still appeared doubtful of
communicating the promised secret of the hiding-place of the old
man's money to his companion. He avoided the subject by eager
questions upon other topics, and when the time arrived for the
departure of Sommers, the confidence was still withheld, and the
position of the stolen money was known only to the man who had placed
it there.

Sommers had informed him of his visit to Mr. Bollman and of the
conversation which had taken place between them relating to the
suspicions entertained by him of Sommers, to all of which Bucholz
listened with wrapt attention, and when he was again solemnly
cautioned about informing his counsel of the relations existing
between them, or of their possession of any of the wealth of the
murdered man, with a peculiar twinkle in his eye he promised a strict
obedience.

Finding it impossible to extract anything from him upon this visit,
Sommers took his leave, promising to return upon the next day that
visitors were admitted, and also agreeing to furnish him with some
delicacies for which he had