Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/227

 years, probably, as I had days. Yet I had been conscientious compared with some reviewers. I had really endeavored to acquire some slight knowledge of my subject; for this I now reaped the reward. Hulmar, full of delight at being able to obtain information on just those points hitherto most obscure to him, put question upon question. Imagine Mommsen enabled to interrogate a witness of the period of the Scipios upon the many points that prove insoluble problems to even his industry and critical acumen.

Hulmar's satisfaction was all the greater because my replies often confirmed his own shrewd surmises. On some points he showed a knowledge wonderful in its accuracy,—so accurate, indeed, that, when questioned on those points, I was obliged to say that I could not answer more exactly without access to certain books. Now, the great difficulty in the investigation of that period had been, not the absence of records, but their bewildering profusion, and the fact that they were expressed in almost unknown languages.

At once he produced a catalogue in several large volumes. One of these contained the list of the works of reference in the ancient languages—which included, it must be remembered, what are now called the modern languages—contained in the State library in Albany. On looking over this, I was able to pick out a number of works I would like to consult, and expressed my readiness to proceed at once to Albany.

"There is, of course, no need of that," said he, seemingly as much surprised at the idea of there being any necessity of going to a library, when knowing the names