The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-07

I vas . poor man, entirely dspendent l on some roanfioas uho viewed czrd-plav-
 ing aad gamblisg as uspasdenabie
 essaches q mssaliiy, and to have con
 tessed my intimacy wish Captain vande- leur vosid have been simply ruin. Also. t was not unfil after the deafh of Lieufen. ant Ormsby that heard that my testi- many would have been of any service to him-b
 l condense the rest. Smylie admitsed
 that he had been in Vsndeleur's room
 with some others on the night in ques-
 ton. Fell asleep on a sofa, awoke to
 md Ormsby and vandeleur talking about
 check which the former had paid. aIs'. L1oo-all ] can give ysu, you know he said "I dAren't ask my uncle again to help me. You shall have the rest next month" Smyiie thought it odd as Orms-
 by hadn't been playing. but was too sseepy ts say anything in fact fell asleep directly. He yoke again and saw Van. deleur and De Barnac busy with writing materials at table, and he saw the
 frenchman hold up a check against the lIght for moment. They were speaking
 French he didn't understand them. and got up and left them He was too seedy mex; morning 10 remember much of what had passed. supposed Ormsby never noticed his presence at all. All this was spun out by Smylie's explanations and Jussihcanons to an inordinate length, but that was the purport.
 l asked permission to copy it there and then, and did so, while the others debated what use should be made of it. We separated at last, without quiae sec ing our way to do anything, except that Colonel Tremlett intended 10 ride over to Penderell to consult Miss Dacre.
 l made up my mind to be beforeh and with him, and pocketing the precious document, starfed at once. should be ID reasonable time for a call if 1 made haste So to eeonomize time took what fancted would prove short cut straight through the back slums of Marlborough. into region of factories, warehouses and small water-side dwellings; finding my seif at last, sure enough. in a direct line for Penderell, but mile or so lower down the river than the last bridge.
 There was nothing for 1t bu, 10 make my way along the riverside to 1t, ana turning to do so, l caught sight of d broad gray back in uniform great-eoa, just before me. recognized Sergeant Druitt, and was just on the poin; oi calling to him. when the sight of his checked me. followed them closely. They stopped and parted at the door ot small public house, and after one good look al the strangers face, started after Druitt a, full speed, and caught him at the mex. turning.
 Who's thats" asked out of breath.
 Druitt looked surprised, but answered. inaocently enough: An old friend of mine, sir. Bird. of the artillery-that IS, he has just been discharged. He is going to America in few days
 What IS he doing here :"
 He's down here saying good bye 10 his relations, sir. His uncle, believe. a very old man, lives close by, and he's staying at the Fisherman's Rest
 Where did you meet him? I asked. with less eagemess.
 We'll, sir, we first became acquainted on board the troop-ship, going out to India, when went out with a draft to join the Royal Manx, at Secunderabad."
 Secunderabad "' gasped, feeling as if had just .cornered my man in an exciting game of blindman's bluff, and the next thing was to hold him tight and identify him, if he didn't slip through my fingers first.
 What was he doing at the barracks the other night?" l asked, sharply. "I saw him."
 Sergeant Druitt looked awkward, then aid, deprecaiiDgly:
 He wasn't doing any harm, sir. He'd oeen in my ofhce for some time and las, stepped across to look in at the mess room window, and then he said Captain Loxdale had seen him and begged me to 'ay nothing SO just turned the gas out md ieft him m my office when you came ip, sir. You sec" Druitt continued. con- identially, "l somehow fancied he'd been swell out of luck and migh, have xnown some of you once."
 Druitt had hardly finished speaking before was on my way to the bar of the Rest. An elderly, decent andiady directed me to Mir. Birds room overhead. l found my way, knocked gently, and entered without ceremony or felt that all l had to do must be lone at white heat If stopped to cool, Ill was lost.
 The occupant of the room was sitting vritiog, with his back turned to me. He 'ose and looked around, much amazed. V entered. looking on closer inspection ,os nearly so like the face in ny mind $ ! had fancied also, which 6iscon- .ested me greatly, he vas much older hAn l. had no, realized that ten wears lad elapsed since Harry Ormsby was leedless youngster.
 However, said, "Mr. Bird, believe nd went on to introduce myself; and be frs, plunge over found myself lying with an ease an 1uency that jussised the 'opular comparison.
 believe you are able to give me Jews of very old friend of mine. Mir. )msby, Of my regiment, the Royal Manx"
 He gave me stare of incredulity. md then a rapid glance at the door. A riend of yours-f-really don't know my such person.
 He disappearpdn I vent m .o s