"You’re telling me that, of the last two visiting fellows, one was killed and one just…just disappeared?" Gideon’s voice, husky with fatigue, rose to an embarrassing squeak on the last word. "And what happened to the ones before that? Does this sort of thing happen all the time around here? Or just to visiting fellows?"

The chancellor smiled softly and shrugged. Before he could answer, Gideon went on. "Is that why the visiting fellow program was cancelled for a semester?"

"Well, yes, as a matter of fact. To have two such unfortunate occurrences, one after the other…well, the program was getting a bad name." He chuckled weakly, frowned, converted the chuckle to a discreet cough, and went over the back of his neck with his handkerchief. "Gideon, you know you haven’t slept for almost three nights, and you’re obviously exhausted. Get yourself a good night’s sleep. Things won’t seem so, er, frightening in the morning."

"I’m not frightened, Dr. Rufus, but I am a little… troubled. I wish you’d told me about this before."

"Well, I wanted you to take the position, you know. Didn’t want to scare you off. Besides, would you have turned down the chance to teach over here if I had told you?"

Gideon smiled. "Not a chance. Well, I think I will get off to bed now."

"I think that’s a good idea." He patted Gideon’s shoulder again. "I’m going too. Can I give you a ride?"

"No thanks. A walk will do me good. Thanks for talking with me, sir." He was trying to make amends for putting the chancellor through an undeservedly uncomfortable time.

"Not at all, Gideon, not at all. Glad to have you on board. Get a good night’s sleep now."

The night air of Heidelberg was indeed just what he needed. To step from the noise and stale smoke of the

Weinstube into the dark, open courtyard of the castle was like walking into another century-a clear, cool, tranquil century.