Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-01-14

stranger-Dreyfus, believe blis name is
stopping at your house, not outp 1 Ger
.ainly saw him short while 4gop'
''No, SIR" answered the Ian, ,dlord, brisk
ly; ''he is in. passed him las left the
house. He went straight to ms room, and
don't suppose he'll come ont again to-
night Indeed, he said he had writing to
do"
every good" commented Sir Wilfred,
offering his companion light. "Now I
am assured of his security, can speak at
my ease. Salmons, I believe he is ras-
cal, aud I wanted to tell you my opinions
in private
"Really, Sir Wilfred!" exclaimed tho
landlord, vis;oly starting.
The moon was rising rapidly, and Sir
Wilfred was able to remark the gesture.
81 hope he Is not an accomplice, :"
thought the Baronet, but the next moment
he scorned the idea The mans character
for truth and honesty was established.
He, however, determined to put a sharp,
pointed question.
''What do you think!'' he asked.
Have you any cause to doubt him?'
"Well, sir, 1 can't say have with suf-
ficient ghtforwardness "Ho pays his
dues right enough"
ga man may do that, and be rascal all
the same," remarked Sir WilfreF dryly.
''Like enough, sir, replied thu landlord.
Sir Wilfred descended from bis perch,
and threw away the stump of h cigar.
''Look here, Salmons," said sudden
ly ''I'll tell you what I am driving at
really have no reason to doubt your sim
cerity, so 1 will not beat about the bush
any longer. That fellow Dreyfus has been
insulting Miss Mason up at Weldon Hall.
and I happened to come along when she
was crying for help"
ssBy jingor' exclaimed the landlord, with
such evident astonishment that Sir Will
fred's half fedged suspicious were destroy
ed.
"And, of course" continued the Baronet,
quietly, "John, the footman, ought to have
been there to prevent his entrance into the
house; but it appears to me, from some re-
marks he made to Miss Mason, that he has
been allured away by the story of message
to be delivered. Do you know where he
is"
}s.To be sureI do," answered the land
lord, ingeniously; "but-" He hesitated
and paused.
"But whatP" inquired Sir Wilfred, grave
ly. "You had better make clean breast Of
the matter, my dear fellow
"Well, SIR" replied Salmons, 'I'm quite
willing to do it, if you Il kindly promise my
information don't cause John to lUso his
place.
sSay on" said Sir Wilfred anxiously
81 will do my best to retain him in his situa.
ton if 1 find he has donenothing culpable. y
sCulpabler' echoed the landlord. 'IIord
bless you, Sir Wilfred, he amt done worse
than his betters have often done before
him. He has taken little drop too much
for once; but what's excusable in the mas,
ter amt always excusable in the man, and
Mr.. Cavel might turn him off at moments
notice, which, indeed, would be pity, for
John is really sober fellow-I never knew
him to be overcome before.
sHumphv' muttered Sir Wilred. "Did
he buy his own drink, Oh vas he treated by
this Dreyfus!'
"Well, SIR" said Salmons, in business
like fashion, :sto fell the Whole truth, now
I've commenced the story, Dreyfus treated
him, and it was whiskey and water, cold,
which they drank ;and they ddr 'tdrink much
oft. either of them can understand how
such drop got into his head. HoSsom-
ever, into his head it has spt, and Mr. Drey-
fus gave me ten shilling5 to take care CT
him, and promised to settings right With
the new housekeeper.
"Humph" ejaculated5ir Wilfred again.
"Could you manage fo me to see John
without being SEEM"
"Certainly, Sir Wilfsd," assented the
landlord; 'sbut tbs no US he is insensible. p"
'Never mind" said fr Wilfred; 81 have
my reasons for seeing hm."
every well, sir" sid Salmons. And
the Baronet and the ladlord immeda ely
moved forward until thy came in sight of
the little roadside inn.
. A few people were seei standing by the
principal entrance, and ST. Wilfred Pearson
hesitated to proceed, lest )reyfus should be
of the number.
OTIS all right, SIR" wispered Salmons,
scanning his customers, nd guessing the
reason of the Baronets, puse; but l Il take
{ you in q back way"
He did so, and narrH winding stair
case, concluding in a Ion straight passage,
brought them to the doeof the room where
, j John had been left. Th landlord put the
f key in the lock ard turnd it softly.
, 81 fastened him in, remarked as he
did so, con purpose to keep the matter
dark; and, of course. if has come to his
senses, he'll understandable
But John had not CON to his senses. He
g was still heavily sleepig He was lying
4 back in the chair in thl very position in
k which Salmons had seehim last
: 81 o,n,t m oke IL ont said the landlord