The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-09-25
EUlNOR NORTON.
E4 AIRY SHANE SMITH
CHAPTER xxNL


his 81 lie and Elinor, was 10 20 and ex-
anime the registers Of The principal ho-
teis He found Al length the name he
salfed, aud at once began his investi-
cations
He inquired Of the clerk If person
who registered there the previous day
as Captain Talbot Of New York was still
az the hotel
"No, sir he left this morning for
Chicsgo" said that polite functionary.
"Are you acquainted with him >"
asked the Doctor, in some surprise at
something in the tone or manner Of the
other.
al have the honor Of a slight acquaint-
ance with the gentleman he always
stops with Us when he is in the city,"
replied the clerk, aiIably.
"Could you tell me where Captain
Talbot spent last evening? There are
important reasons for asking what may
seem an impertinent question:" said
the Doctor, anxiously, as the bland
clerk removed bis cloud-emitting cigar
and stared at him inquiringly.
Certainly, sir" be at length replied.
Captain Talbot sat here in the bar
room, with several other gentlemen,
until time to go to the theater, when he
and a friend of his went there together.
That is all know Of his proceedings"
he added, IN tone which said plainly,
81 can't see that it is any OF your busi-
ness, anyway"
Excuse me, " said the Doctor, "if /
trouble you with one more question.
Can you tell me where / can fiud the
gentleman who accompanied the CAP
tain, aud can you give me his name
Here is my card" he continued, hand
ing it to the clerk, who glanced at it,
and then said:
"Oh, I suppose il is all right, of
course, Doctor; but you will pardon me
for being little surprised at such close
questioning. I did not know"
"Of course, Of course, you think
strange of IT,; but you would not if you
knew my reasons for H." interrupted
the Doctor with feverish anxiety. "Just
oblige me with that name, if you please,
and + trespass no longer on your
ume, uy dear sir"
ON certainly, sir; no trouble at all,
I assure you" said the clerk. "The
gentleman alluded to was Major Jones,
whose law Office is at No. 976 j.
street"
Thanks, a thousand thanks" said
the Doctor, hurriedly, as be bowed with
more than ordinary politeness and has
tened away.
Hs went at once to the place inIi-
caled found the tslkative, consequent
tial, hsshily-dressed Major, presented
his card and, saying that he had some
business with him, made known, as
carefully and gradually as possible, his
wish to learn if Captain Talbot accom-
panied him to the theater the previous
evening, and was utterly confounded by
the prompt Information that he did.
Recovering himself little, the Doc
tor remarked, at random:
'By the way, what was presented last
night -
ooh, D, was nothing new; one Of the
old stock plays-Hamlet, in fact" said
the Major, and then, laughing. i've con-
tinued: "I didn't think my friend Tai
bot was so womanish, but it's a fact,
that when Hamlet and Laertes got 10
thrusting at one another, he got nerv-
Gus, and when Hamlet was finally
stabbed, you know, Pli be hanged if he
didn't act as il Il was all a solemn real
ity. I couldn't see anything remarka-
bic in the acting, either. I've seen
Hamlet played better dozen times.n
Perhaps he was not well,'' suggested
the Doctor, feeling that he had not lost
his clue entirely, after all.
"No, he wasn't, I think" said the
Major. 81 know he drank heavier than
usual on the way back to the hotel, and
took more at the bar after we got there.
No, he didn't feel right, from some
cause"
Late hours are not apt to improve a
mans feelings" said the Doctor, as
gravely as though announcing a discov-
cry he had just made
That's a fact, that's a fact" said the
Major, yawning and stretching at the
recollection. "The Captain and I sat
and talked nearly two hours after we
went home, and hope he's got as dull
head as : have to-day to paw for sueb
foolishne-s"
"Whers will be likely to find vour
friend p asked the Doctor, rising.
"Ol be said he was oil for New Or
leans this morning on a business trim
aud [ suppose he went, though how b.
ever got up in time to start, is a myster.
% me-" said the Major, adding, with
sudden return Of bis professional man
uer aud tone:
SIS there anything can DO for you
shall be happy TO attend to any busi
ness you may wish to transact with ID
Captain"
mo, thank you believe will wai
ull see him. Good-day, sir" said th
Doctor, and he left the office, while th
Major strolled back aud forth in th
diugy room, his thumbs iu the arm
holes of his vest, and whistled an opei
attic air, while he wished somebod
a0OUld want to do something more tha
talk. He stopped often at the window