Photographing the Unseen 



Professor Rontgen entered hurriedly, some- 

 thing like an amiable gust of wind. He is a tall, 

 slender, and loose-limbed man, whose whole ap- 

 pearance bespeaks enthusiasm and energy. He 

 wore a dark blue sack suit, and his long, dark 

 hair stood straight up from his forehead, as if 

 he were permanently electrified by his own en- 

 thusiasm. His voice is full and deep, he speaks 

 rapidly, and, altogether, he seems clearly a man 

 who, once upon the track of a mystery which 

 appealed to him, would pursue it with unremit- 

 ting vigor. His eyes are kind, quick, and pene- 

 trating; and there is no doubt that he much pre- 

 fers gazing at a Crookes tube to beholding a visi- 

 tor, visitors at present robbing him of much 

 valued time. The meeting was by appointment, 

 however, and his greeting was cordial and hearty. 

 In addition to his own language he speaks French 

 well and English scientifically, which is different 

 from speaking it popularly. These three tongues 

 being more or less within the equipment of his 

 visitor, the conversation proceeded on an inter- 

 national or polyglot basis, so to speak, varying 

 at necessity's demand. 



It transpired in the course of inquiry, that the 

 professor is a married man and fifty years of age, 

 though his eyes have the enthusiasm of twenty- 

 five. He was born near Zurich, and educated 

 there, and completed his studies and took his 

 degree at Utrecht. He has been at Wiirzburg 

 about seven years, and had made no discoveries 

 which he considered of great importance prior 

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