[Illustration: "_Bucholz rushed in and fell fainting to the floor._"]

He was instantly surrounded by the astonished family, and upon
examination it was discovered that his face was bleeding, while the
flesh was lacerated as though he had been struck with some sharp
instrument. He had carried in his hand the old satchel which
contained the wine purchased by Mr. Schulte, and which had been
consigned to his care on leaving the depot, and as he fell
unconscious the satchel dropped from his nerveless grasp upon the
floor.

Recovering quickly, he stared wildly around. "What has happened,
William, what is the matter?" inquired Samuel.

"Oh, Mr. Schulte, he is killed, he is killed!"

"Where is he now?"

"Down in the woods by the railroad," cried Bucholz. "We must go and
find him."

Meanwhile the female members of the family had stood wonder-stricken
at the sudden appearance of Bucholz, and the fearful information
which he conveyed.

"How did it happen?" inquired Samuel Waring.

"Oh, Sammy," exclaimed Bucholz, "I don't know. When we left the
station, Mr. Schulte gave me the satchel to carry, and we walked
along the track. I was walking ahead. Then we came through the woods,
and just as I was about to climb over the stone wall by the field, I
heard Mr. Schulte call out, 'Bucholz!' 'Bucholz!' It was dark, I
could not see anything, and just as I turned around to go to Mr.
Schulte, a man sprang at me and hit me in the face. I jumped away
from him and then I saw another one on the other side of me. Then I
ran home, and now I know that Mr. Schulte is killed. Oh Sammy! Sammy!
we must go and find him."

Bucholz told his story brokenly and seemed to be in great distress.

"If I had my pistol I would not run," he continued, as if in reply to
a look upon Samuel Waring's face, "but I left it at home."

Sadie went up to him, and, laying her hand upon his arm, inquired
anxiously if he was much hurt.

"No, my dear, I think not, but I was struck pretty hard," he replied.
"But come," he continued, "while we are talking, Mr. Schulte is lying
out there in the woods. We must go after him."

Bucholz went to the place where he usually kept his revolver, and
placing it in his pocket, he announced his readiness to go in search
of his master.

"Wait till I get my gun," said Samuel Waring, going up-stairs, and
soon returning with the desired article.

Just as he returned, another attack of faintness overcame William,
and again h