Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-26
THE RICHMOND DIsPATCH-sUNDAY. FEBRUARY 26 1883

what say"
Invent. How slowly that week passed
horribly slowly The inkstain yielded
to soap and water, much like other INK
stains do; or perhaps my Imagination
helped TO wash II out. At the end OF
the week I hurried back 10 town, jumped
into a cab. and tried in vain TO calm my
excitement before arrived at the house
where Macairidis lived. The cabman
did not know the street, and oddly
enough | could not direct him; ell tho
strange instinct that before guided my
steps there seemed to have deserted me,
and we Numbered about the streets a
long time before we arrived. A severe
looking landlady opened the door.
"Mr. Macairidis-do you want? He's
gone these four days"
"Gone? Where to? But he must
be coming back, for l have an appoint
meDt with him"
"He amt a-coming back here, then.
He paid his bill and took away his
things. Said he was leaving England.
Going to the Continent, | suppose ; he's
a form gent, and comes from those
parts. MOI he didn't say anything
about you. Didn't leave any address
either"
Fora minute was dumbfounded. The
shock was 30 great that landlady, 'front.'
door, and cab-horse all seemed to waltz
before my eyes. What was to do now ?
Here l had been wasting whole week
in the country, keeping my imagination
- nj oil 10 /
not often use strong language, but on
this occasion-well, the landlady hastily
shut the door and the cabman grinned.
jumped into the cab again and told the
man to drive to my Office, vowing l
would never trust a Greek again. My
brother in-law did not seem IN the best
Of tempers.
"Well, Tom so here you are at last.
Where have you been all this time You
don't look over-well. [ am afraid your
friend William Pitt does not agree with
you. What have you been doing? Sit
ting up late at nights and playing 'blind
hooky' with him ?"
civilian Pitt?" i replied stiffly.
"What do you know of William Pitt 7?
William Pitt does not play 'biud
hooky.'"
DWELL, at any rate, he seems to have
got lot of money out of you, whatever
his little game may be. And really,
Tom. now am on the subject, ] must
say that you are somewhat irregular in
your proceedings. Why on earth could
you not have told me the other day that
you intended'to draw on us so heavily ?"
"Draw on you? What do you mean {?
| never drew on you.
My partners face turned to CHASTITY
pallor, and his jaw dropped. Heaven
and earth man-you don't mean to say
that bill was forged? No, it is impossl-
ble there was your letter Of advice that
came by that mornings post. Here
you. Jones-bring that letter and bill.
and show them to Mr.. Puncheon. Look
here. Tom, you don't mean to say that
is not your writing? Just look at the
letter. Isn't that your writing?"
| looked at the letter-it was mine ;
but when or how could ] have written
it? 81 beg TO advise "-"favo of VIII
liam Pitt -" two thousand pounds -
payable at sight the words swan
before my eyes / took up the bill.
Yes that was mine also. | took up the !
letter again There could be no mis-
take. But how-when? My heart sank |
within me, for [ remembered the imagi- !
nary ink on my fingers.
Ibid you meet it? at last / stam
mered out
did we? Why, d-n it all, SIR"
roared out my brother-in-law, his face
white with passion, twill you tell me
or will you not? Is that your hand
writing aud signature ?"
Yes, it is. | wrote ii.
THANK Heaven! !" aud he fell back |
on an office stool and mopped his fore
head. "Now, my very dear sir, will you
kindly explain what it all means and why |
you pretended ignorance OF the transac-
ton 2"
Explain ?" cried in a sudden fury.
"Why should l explain? | drew the
bill-at least L suppose | did-and the
money is paid That is all know, and
that is all YOU need know. / don't know
what the deuce you are making such
luoS dDOut. NJ ahl INC, all bOlbB "
catch my train, 50 good morning !"
put on my hat and flung myself out of
the Office. 1 do almost hate my brother
in-law.
Two thousand pounds two thousand
pounds Yes, the money was gone
and so was Robert Macairidis. William
Pitt, indeed So Robert Macairidis was
more than a Demosthenes-
he was also William Pitt.
No. the suspicion is too horrible. /
cannot bear It, much prefer to think
that it was the embodied spirit after ell,
only very much embodied, and with a
pocket to put the money into. Was not
that INSCRIPTIONS conduct even in a
ghost Is it scrupulously honest thing
for gentleman like Mr.. Pitt to make me
draw bills in his favor while another man
held me in "A trance And what possible
use can he make of the money l should
like to know? One consolation at least
| have-if he has expended it in bribery
down there the money will melt in his