CHAPTER VII.
PROFESSOR SCHMIDT.
A small country place named "Five Oaks," a short distance from "Clear Spring" farm, was owned by a very worthy and highly-educated, but rather eccentric, German professor.

He came originally from Heidelberg, but had occupied the position of Professor of German for many years in a noted university in a near by town.

A kind, warm-hearted, old-fashioned gentleman was the Professor; a perfect Lord Chesterfield in manners.

Very tall, thin almost to emaciation, although possessed of excellent health; refined, scholarly looking: a rather long, hooked nose, faded, pale-blue eyes; snowy, flowing "Lord Dundreary" whiskers, usually parted in the centre and twisted to a point on either side with the exceedingly long, bony fingers of his well-kept, aristocratic-looking white hands.

He had an abrupt, quick, nervous manner when speaking.