«Professor Brankel's Secret: a psychological study» in inglese

“Of a truth, sir, this oyster may contain a most precious jewel.”

Heidelberg, August 26th, 1876. — Last night, having to prepare my lecture on chemistry for my students, I left my house and went to the library of the University in order to verify some remarks relative to the chemical discoveries of the fourteenth century.

I had no difficulty in finding the books I wanted, all of them being well-known.

I had finished, and was about to roll up my notes, when on glancing over them I saw that I had omitted to verify a remark as to Giraldus von Breen.

Giraldus von Breen was a famous but somewhat obscure alchemist of the middle ages, whose life was wholly spent in searching after the philosopher’s stone.

As the point I wished to elucidate was rather important, I went back to find the

“Giraldus.”

I hunted for a long time, but was unable to discover anything of the book I wanted.

In despair I consulted the librarian, and he told me that he had seen a copy of the

“Giraldus in two volumes about a year ago, but had lost sight of it since.

He also added that it was but little known, and that until myself no one had inquired for it, with the exception of a young Englishman, who had left Heidelberg about eight or nine months back.

Under these circumstances nothing could be done, as the book was evidently not in the library; so, in despair, I took myself home in no very amiable frame of mind at my failure.

August 27th. — I lectured to-day to my students, and during my discourse I mentioned how unfortunate I had been with regard to the

“Giraldus.”

At the end of my lecture Herr Buechler, one of my students, desired to speak with me, and said he thought he could tell me where to find the

“Giraldus.”

I asked him where, and he said he had lodged in the same house with a young Englishman called Black, who had left Heidelberg about eight months ago.

Of course, I immediately guessed that this was the young Englishman mentioned by the librarian.

Herr Buechler also said that the young Englishman was a great admirer of the works of Giraldus von Breen, and constantly studied them.

He thought it likely that Herr Black had taken them from the library to read at his lodgings, and, as he had left a number of books behind him, the two volumes might be amongst them.

I immediately accompanied Herr Buechler to the late lodgings of the young Englishman, and found there a great number of old books, principally works on chemistry.

Both Herr Buechler and myself hunted for a long time without success, but at last the