The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-09-18

PiOp"p'y ho'S oiSPe III tuO ooihS hooci
and known nothing of each others
presence here" remarked--"perhaps
have left tomorrow without sec
ing each other. l am overdue at Grey
stone Lodge, having been detained on
account of the snowstorm."
"What a strange coincidence" said
Mrs. Spence. "We too are on our way
to Greystone, and, like you, were de-
tanned for some hours owing TO the
snow having drifted so as to render the
roads impossible. And 80 you must
leave us now for short time p she
went on, as l rose to go. 81 have
ordered tea for $50; come and take
a cup with us, and bring Mr.. Yer
coe."
al can't answer for him, but shall
be delighted to come myself said I,
bowing to the ladies.
"Ten minutes late" growled Ted, as
/ entered the billiard room. "Have
you succeeded o.
"Yes. This is the number of my
friends room.' said !, handing him a
slip of paper. "Now let US have few
strokes at billiards." l added.
We played very listlessly, talking
and now and again giving ball
stroke.
"Eight o'clock, Bob" said Ted, and
in walked the detective.
"Let's put more life into the game,
Ted 2" l said, feeling terribly un-
strung.
"Sorry to trouble you, SIR observed
the detective to me, in low voice,
"but you have two ladies here. Can l
see them 7"
l raised my eyebrows in surprise.
"See my friends : What do you
mean, man p
"Now it is just this, Mr.. Lawson, I
know the party of whom I am in
search left York last night by p. M.
express l saw all the passengers but
the two who were travelling with you.
/ must and will see them!"
''1f you must, you must" said l, as
suming carelessness l was far from
feeling "but really-Vercoe, will
you excuse me moment 7" Then,
turning to the detective again ''You
say you must and will see those ladies
at once; well, wait few minutes-no,
no trickery am going to have cup
of tea with them in their private sit
ting room, and you can go with me as
another friend 1 have just met acci-
dentally in the billiard room, as they
know that met Mr.. Vercoe a little
while ago. You see, I could scarcely
enter the room and say, Here, ladies,
is a policeman demanding an interview
with one or both of you
"Time's up! said Ted, and we
clasped hands as two old school-fellows
and friends will do.
"Let me hear from you now and
again, Ted"
"All right, Bob. My Secretary shall
give you full accounts of our doings,
and now and again ! will enclose a
short note but you must not expect
much from me in the letter writing
line"
My heart beat fast as we entered No.
10. What if my protege should be
captured just at the last moment! l
looked like man ill at ease as l said:
"Excuse me, my dear Mrs. Spence,
but l haye quite Unexpectedly met this
gentleman, and, as l did not like to
deny myself the pleasure of your COM
pany, l have claimed the privilege of
an old friend and brought him with
me-"
"Any friend of Mr.. Lawson's will al
ways be welcome; but you have for
gotten, Bob, to introduce him to us, )"
Mrs. Spence replied affably.
"Dear me !" said l, pretending to
laugh "what breach of etiquette
Allow me to introduce to you my
friend, Mr.. Arthur Randall"
The fellow was completely crestfal-
len. He sat down, but seemed as
though he hardly knew what to do
with his feet and hands. Mrs. Spence
saw his embarrassment and tried to
draw him into conversation. l trem.
bled, but at that moment-welcome
sound-Ted and his companion passed
the door. l drew sigh of relief.
"What dreadful weather we are hav.
ing" Mrs. Spence observed. "Have
you travelled far, Mr.. Randall u Mr.
Lawson and we were snowbound last
night, and, had it not been so, we
should all three of us been enjoying
the festivities of Greystone Lodge
Anyway, it is lucky we have him here
as protection. 1t is foolish, / know
but I do not like staying for night il
a strange hotel unless we have a gen
tleman belonging to the party"
Conversation tagged, and both ladie,
seemed relieved when I begged for {
little music.
"Do you like classical or popular
music, Mr.. Randall 7" said I, mischiev
ously. began now to feel that wa
master of the situation.
81 don't care much for music at an,
time said he, in low voice, "bu
should like to have word with you il
private, Mr.. Lawson"
Certainly l agreed. 81 will retir
with you for short time directly W
have had tea. A servant is just bring
ing it in"
"But | should like to return to YorI
by the 0 train," he began hurriedly.
"All right" said I, rising TO folio,
him.
"You gentlemen are not leaving bt
fore you have had some tea 7" Mr.,
Spence asked, looking bewildered 9
such strange behavior.
"One or both of us will return in
few seconds" l assured her.
| 81 don't know what apology to off,
you,' stammered John Dobson, ali,
Arthur Randall, as soon as the doc
was closed.
| "Are you convinced of your error
demanded l loftily.
Nothing is more certain, l shou
never have come to Newcastle, but tn
the inspector was so positive they too
the train you came by, and blew n
up soundly because had not seen d
ladies who were with you. 1t won
, have been a great rise for me to tai
that young rascal. But, for the pr
/ sent, the clew seems lost. / have
notion he is hiding in London"