Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-02
CHAPTER III.

The postcard from Belfort was also IN
Dicks hand, two photographs OF Osmund
Ouestin, and his last letter from Rome.
Anastasia's latest idea had been the bold
one of advertising for Mr.. Septimus y
Perkins in the Times, the New York
Heraid. and he Petit Journal, giving
Anastasia's address and Dicks Paris
hotel.
The first thing that Dick ascertained
was that the proper number of tickets
taken for Paris Oh the day that Osmund
Questin travelled through were delivered
up. Hisnext step was an exhaustive search
for bis name throughout the Paris hotels.
He was soon able to inform Anastasia,
whom he chose to call his client, that he
had discovered it at the bristol" At the
"Bristol he had evidently stopped for
several weeks, but nothing special could
be gathered about him beyond his having
been remarked for his wonderful Gin
at billiards. From thence he was traced
by the aid of detective up to the very
day of quitting France for England.
The history was clear and common
place, and Dick began TO feel that ne
had lethimself in for rather an absurd
chase after q phantom fancy.
However, while he fingered, unwilling
TO throw il up yet, card was one day
put into his hand, and brisk little gen
tleman Immediately stepped up, and
shaking hands warmly, announced him
self TO be no other than Mr.. Septimus
S. Perkins. "And now, sir, what dye
want with me? rather expected to see
Mr.. Osmund Q. Questin, but | guess
YOU are not much like that gentleman.
I'm delighted to make your acquaint-
ance, though" rejoined Dick. Give
come over to trace Mr.. Questin, and
want all the information | can get. "
You don't mean he's missing? /
thought he was in for a pretty severe
sickness when we parted, but If he fell
sick on the way surely he didn't die
without wiring his friends !? "
"He seems, on the contrary, to have
fetched Paris in excellent health, said
Dick. Then Mr.. Perkins gave circum-
stantial account of every hour he had
spent in Osmund's company, which were
not very many.
at wasn't that we hoped you could
tell us much, but you were the last friend
he named in his letters. Here is his
face. Do you recognize it ?" Dick con-
tinued, placing the photograph before
Mr.. Perkins.
Eyes" he said, examining them.
"That's him, but oddly enough they re-
mind me of trihing incident that had
slipped my memory. A man got into
that car while we we're coming along the
outskirts of Rome City, more like your
friend than l ever saw twin bears.
Droll Mr.. Questin didn't particularly
notice it"
did they know one another ?"
"Not they, and they didn'tmeet again
as far as / know"
"Ah, there we are, you know, just
where we were" said Dick disconso-
lately. "Pd better tell you the whole
story" he went on.
That's what | meant to have when ]
answered that advertisement that got
hurled at me through three organs"
Whereupon Sherrief gave the full
history, reseUing any opinion on 1t.
"If you take my advice, sir, you will
Just reserve your operations and watch
the man in London. whether he is the
Simon Pure or not
Taking the hint, Sherrieff wrote to
Anastasia. Instead OF letter came q
telegram :
lin Paris since Thursday"
$50 much the better for US" com
mented Mr.. Perkins. "Now fora round
Of hotels again.
Beginning with The Bristol ," said
Dick.
"If he goes back to The Bristol it i:
ten to one in his favor.
He was not at 1.-The Bristol thi:
time, but at Meurice's," fact sooI
ascertained. Nay, further, Mr.. Perkin;
moved himself into Meuriee's, and by
cunning bribery got into Mr.. Questin'
room. and made notes Of oil he found
there. He recognized among other arti
cles the small vslise he had noticed in
the tram-car. He invited Sherrief &c
dinner, and the pair waited with iutens,
excitement the entrance of Mir. Questin.
He came in when they were seated al
taJle d'hote, and took his place opposlt,
them. Dick turned crimson, and slightly
kicked his friend.
ooh! it's the man." murmured Mr.
Perking, rather crestfalleR and ye
pleased to see his acquaintance again
{" How are You, sir?" be said across the
table. Glad to meet you again, Mr.
Questin.
Mr.. Questin glanced sharply mp
bowed, then seemed 10 recollect th,
speaker, for be said, cordially, that hs
was glad to see him.
"You look pretty fit now, SIR" re
marked Mr. Perkins, "but l though
you likely TO be real nick when We psrteC
in Rome"
81 was for a.bit. !" the other answered
"but soon picked up."
"You were well out OF Naples. The,
had cholera ut compound interest ate
you left"
Yes; it's not thing would 60 on
Of my way 10 meet"