B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser

Name: The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham
Author: B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser

The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

Summary

“The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham”, published in 1903, is a work by B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser. It explores elements such as Marnac, Mechersky and Graden.

Quotes from The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser)

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ Once a willow grouse, white as the snow beneath it, swept on steady wing through the trees. Once from the far, far distance, borne upon the eastern breeze, there came a cry, a weird, hopeless echo in the air, that set the horses snorting. I knew what it must be—a wolf who felt the first pangs of the winter's hunger gathering round him. But there was no sign of man nor marks of sleigh tracks on the newly fallen snow.
We did not travel fast, though our driver did his best. The snow had not hardened and settled into that enchanting surface on which the runners speed so swiftly. ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ Then the dye-works, they are sure to be interesting."
"Henry Graden," cried I with determination, "you try me too far! I am as eager as yourself that this criminal should be brought to justice. For this reason alone I have every right to know the why and wherefore of an expedition which will entail upon me, as I see clearly, the most extraordinary discomforts."
"It seems a pity, my dear cousin, that Nature, which endowed you with so many admirable qualities, should have omitted the saving grace of humour," he rejoined. ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ Our driver turned, and with a wave of the whip explained the situation.
"It is Herr Drobin," said he.
I was not favourably impressed with this breeder of pigs. He was an elderly man, full bodied, with white hair, that stuck out stiffly from under his fur cap, a red, bulbous nose, and shifty, suspicious eyes. He saluted us with a touch of his cap in military fashion.
"And what is your business, gentlemen?" he asked.
"It is less business than gratitude," said Graden courteously. "We have made this little pilgrimage to thank the producer of the Lemsdorf hams." ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ I have now to tell of the pursuit of Marnac, the murderer, a pursuit as strange in its outset as it was terrible in its conclusion. For this, the first adventure in the chase of this inhuman monster, it may be said that I have chosen a fanciful title. Yet "The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham" is too appropriate to be neglected for that reason.
At the first the Heidelberg police met our theory of Von Stockmar's death with incredulity. When they moved in earnest, it was too late; all trace of Professor Marnac had been lost. ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ The Lemsdorf ham is a discovery; it should make a stir. I wonder I had not heard of its merits before."
"You see, mein Herr, the big curing station has not long been established."
"A new enterprise?"
"Yes, mein Herr. It belongs to Herr Drobin, a South German. Two years ago he took the big farm at Gran, which you passed on your way here. It is this side of the dye-works. He has many pigs in the forest. His hams are becoming famous from Warsaw to Königsberg. It is said he has some secret in the feeding or curing—no one knows which." ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ When I arrived this morning, I said to myself: 'The great white English ferret will be at work to-day searching for the rat. I will wait at the station like a net into which Mr. Ferret may turn the rat.'"
Graden skipped up to him and shook him warmly by the hand.
"Capital, Mossel, capital! And you—had the net any luck?"
"The net was sitting upon the rat's luggage when you arrived this moment. The net has been here for five hours, and is cold and hungry. The net is of opinion that the rat must have seen him and abandoned his luggage. He has not left by train." ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ And why Lemsdorf?"
"For the excellent reason, Cousin Robert, that Mechersky, who comes of land-owning Polish stock, is holiday-making at Castle Oster, a place he has in that neighbourhood. And as sure as I sit here, where Mechersky is, there will be that madman, Rudolf Marnac. If he means to murder the man, he will have had nigh on a month to bring it off. Heaven grant that we're in time!" ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ Graden sprang out of the sleigh and strode up to the angry farmer. For a moment I thought there would be a scrimmage; but the huge bulk of his antagonist was not without its effect upon the German. I have often noticed that great stature has a curiously soothing influence on the bad temper of an opponent.
"Why did you call me a spy?" demanded my cousin. ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ Heaven knows I have no hatred towards him. I feel to him as a man might feel towards a mad dog which is a danger to the peaceful men, women, and children of his village. It is the duty of the citizen to risk his life in its capture. ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ Then, side by side, they stepped into the shadow of the pines, whispering together.
"They are all liars, these Germans," said our driver confidentially, turning to me. "For myself, I am a Pole."
"You heard what was said. Do you know anything of this English visitor to Herr Drobin?"
"Most certainly, mein Herr. He was of the name of Wakefield. He has stayed several nights at the 'Goldner Adler.' For the rest, he has been the guest of him who lived out there," and he made a gesture down the road that we had come. ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ But administered to man or beast, it has the curious effect of colouring and pulping the bones to a gristle. It is used sparingly on a few South German pig-farms, that the hams may appear attractive when carved. Herr Drobin introduced it into German Poland. He obtained the root as he required it by arrangement with the dye-works. Perhaps their presence suggested the idea to him.
"Whether or no Marnac knew of the uses of madder before he came to Lemsdorf, I cannot tell. From my talk with Drobin it would seem that his visit to his farm was more or less of an accident. ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ There is a great future before you, if only you keep your knowledge to yourself,' said the Englishman to me. 'If strangers come asking questions, they will be spies; send them away.' It was fine advice he gave me ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ These schoolboy antics are insupportable."
"Capital, Robert! capital!" he answered, regarding me with a comical expression. "By Gad! there's stuff in the boy! You'd like to punch my head, I suppose?"
I was somewhat ashamed of my outburst, and picked up the book, which was greatly damaged, before I replied.
"It's all very well, cousin Graden," I said, sulkily enough. "But between you and the police, I am worried to death."
"Good! Then you can have no objection to leaving Heidelberg this afternoon."
"Leave Heidelberg? Why should I leave Heidelberg?" ”

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Source: Wikisource

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser, The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (1903)

“ Here we have it—'Lemsdorf: fourteen to fifteen hours from Berlin. Rising town in West Prussia. 12,000 inhabitants. Large dye-works. 'Prinz von Preussen,' 'Goldner Adler' hotels well spoken of. Cab from the station, 75 pg. Little of historical interest. Excursions to Denker and the Huren, a wild and desolate district with several large lakes, on the Russian frontier.' Not altogether an inviting prospect at the latter end of October, eh, Cousin Robert? ”

B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser

Summary

Quotes from The Trail of the Dead — II. The Mystery of the Lemsdorf Ham (B. Fletcher Robinson and J. Malcolm Fraser)

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