"Something supernatural! Why--what reason have they to jump at that conclusion?" "Well, sir, I don't know if you have ever heard of the Henker's Poltergeist, but it is a fact well known to all in the township." "Yes, yes--even we know it. In fact----but never mind, proceed." "Well, gentlemen, this Poltergeist--this evil spirit--that no doubt was permitted to haunt the headsman for his sins--for a headsman must of necessity be a cruel, hard-hearted, unnatural villain to choose such a profession." "Well, well--this evil spirit." "Well then the Scharfrichter, at least, so people say, had sold his soul to this demon, and when the time came round for him to give up his soul according to the bargain, he refused, and the demon wrested it from him by force by cutting off his head and carrying it away with him." "Oh, but why this strange supposition? Why put down a thing to supernatural agency before sufficient time has elapsed to investigate the matter properly? A person is murdered, and the body discovered without the head, and because the head cannot be found at once, you say that the devil has run off with it. My dear sir, the thing's absurd." "Well, we must wait and see what evidence will turn up," said the host. "Yes, but if everybody merely _waits_ for evidence to turn up instead of actively searching for it, the matter will come to a standstill," said the Englishman. "I myself am interested in the murder, as I knew the Scharfrichter twelve years ago, when I was a student." "Ah, in that case, sir--of course you would. By-the-by, there is another murder now talked about besides the Henker's. They seem to be getting in fashion." "What! another body?" "Well, sir, the body isn't exactly found yet, but there is a certain Count, well-known to be rich, who was taking a foot tour through the country alone. His family expected him home on a certain day, and as he hasn't turned up yet, they suspect that he has been robbed and murdered." "That may be merely a suspicion. How long has he been missing?" "Three days, they say." "Three days! Why, a man doesn't bind himself to a day or two when out on a foot tour. He may remain another three days, or a week longer, and then return unhurt." "Well, sir, it may be as you say, but as the Count was known by his relations to be a very punctual man, and never to fail in his appointments, you see, it is natural they should feel uneasy." "True, especially as three days ago was about the time of the other murder, and they may get it into their heads that the two murders occurred in the same night. Was he a married man?" "No, sir; quite young, they say." "Humph! When did you say the body of the Henker would be buried--to-morrow?" "About ten, I think, sir." "Ah! then I must be there early, as I want to examine the corpse myself." "Oh, decidedly, sir. I will bring you to the place to-morrow in good time."