f making frequent journeys to the City of New
York alone, and on these occasions William would meet him upon his
return and the two would then pursue their lonely walk home.

One day upon reaching South Norwalk, after a visit to the metropolis,
he brought with him a large iron box which he immediately consigned
to the safe keeping of the bank located in the town, and this fact
furnished another and more important subject for conversation.

He had hitherto seemed to have no confidence in banking institutions
and trust companies, and preferred to be his own banker, carrying
large sums of money about his person which he was at no pains to
conceal, and so, as he continued this practice, and as his
possessions were seemingly increased by the portentous-looking iron
chest, the speculations as to his wealth became unbounded.

Many of the old gossips had no hesitancy in declaring that he was
none other than a foreign count or some other scion of nobility, who
had, no doubt, left his native land on account of some political
persecution, or that he had been expatriated by his government for
some offense which had gained for the old man that dreadful
punishment--royal disfavor.

Oblivious of all this, however, the innocent occasion of their
wonderment and speculation pursued his lonely way unheeding and
undisturbed.

CHAPTER II.

_William Bucholz._--_Life at Roton Hill._--_A Visit to New York
City._

William Bucholz, the servant of the old gentleman, did not possess
the morose disposition nor the desire for isolation evinced by his
master, for, instead of shunning the society of those with whom he
came in contact, he made many acquaintances during his leisure hours
among the people of the town and village, and with whom he soon
became on terms of perfect intimacy. To him, therefore, perhaps as
much as to any other agency, was due in a great measure the fabulous
stories of the old man's wealth.

Being of a communicative disposition, and gifted with a seemingly
frank and open manner, he found no difficulty in extending his circle
of acquaintances, particularly among those of a curious turn of mind.
In response to their eager questioning, he would relate such wonderful
stories in reference to his master, of the large amount of money which
he daily carried about his person, and of reputed wealth in Germany,
that it was believed by some that a modern Croesus had settled in
their midst, and while, in common with the r