The National tribune., 1889-02-14

the wall and led the way into a great, dark and
barren room. The Doctor followed. He found
himself IN an apartment absolutely unfur-
nished save a huge bed In the corner and
single chair The former the stranger walked
lightly to and held the lamp above his head.
The Doctor saw, by the dim light, stretched
upon the naked mattress the figure Of splen-
did man. One arm was doubled under his
head, the other was Outstretched, and white
hand hung listlessly over the edge Of the bed.
He was breathing, but with laboriOus effort.
His face was deathly white, and spots of blood
stained his open shirt. The Doctor looked
steadily at him, then turned his gaze upon
the stranger. Both were handsome men, but
there could be no relationship. The one
wounded upon the bed was the broadest type
Of Anglo Saxon, with mass Of curly, yellow
hair, the blue eye, half-closed. the fne-cut lip,
and above all, the clear blue veined skin. The
stranger was dark: in complexion, in hair. IN
eyes-sll spike of some Southern cline. The
Doctor said 10 himself This man IS English or
American. You. my friend, Spanish or Italian.
But he said nothing aloud. He sat on the edge
OF the bed and laid back the listless arm. The
stranger leaned over the foot-board. Gently the
Doctor rolled back the shiFtfron Of the I'M
conscious man. He saw hlue mark upon the
breast about an inch above the region of the
heart Ballet" he murmured, and said no
more. BE sat for many minutes gazing down
upon the dying man. then rising he turned
abruptly 10 the stranger, asking:
" How long ago did this happen?"
"About, think il is, two hours"
"Haye you sent for anyone else besides my
selr2"
Certainly; have sent for the police. Two
three; they come. They told ne they will send
ambulance. I think because Of the storm it
viii rot come. / ask them for good surgeon.
They speak Of YOU ] try much to secure a
"a Il 1 k-syn ]
have not send TO relatives yet Because / hope
be may live, and ! do not wish TO frighten
them. il happen this way: We were talk
business. He was sitting in that chair, my
self upon the bed. he show me pistol
8 new one Quickly ] hear the report, and
my frieHd fail upon the floor. raise him and
put bim there where you see him..
The Doctor listened patiently, and then stood
silent for many moments.
- ear do nothing for him. - he said sadly;
" he viii die"
Then mast I DO my duty and stay here
till the ambulance comes. Shall i light you
down. SIR; the carriage has been told TO wait
you. To how much, sir, am ! your debtOr?"
The Doctor had been intently eyeing all the
time this yoiubie man. He was intensely alb
SORTED.
Nothing" he answered sharply. Thestranger
bowed and led the way down the creaking stairs.
At the foot Of these he thrust open the door
and bowed the Doctor out. holding the little
lamp above bis head to light the way to the
carriage. Halfway to the latter the Doctor
turned.
81 think thiuk-that-aht
The sleeve of the strangers coat had half
fallen back from bis uplifted hand. 1t barred a
dark buT sinewy arm. About the wrist en-
twined d WoEan's bracelet. slender snake in
gold, with latiened head and shining sapphire
eyes
Tbg carriage door banged TO- Down desert
ed streets, around snow-hid corners it coursed
its devious way. The Doctor observed little
but deep rcverie. He said TO Himself a hun
dred tunes: 3" I ria find ont-will trace this
mystery, .or mystery it is. 1 viii ask this
driver and appeal to the police"
With a sudden jerk he found himself in
front OF his own door. He slowly alighted,
butt0uiag his coat about him.
Driver he asked, what was the street
and what WIS -"
III never tell you-get up" with smart
crack Of his whip; q get up ! say"
The sudden plunge covers the Doctors coat
Will muddy snOw, which while calmly brush
ing %, ba sees the carriage violently turn the
neH rest corner.
9ae day was breaking; The snow had stopped
and i'right stars were sparkling in the morn
ing sSy as the good Doctor stood thOughtfnlly
looking down upon the enbers Of his fast-dying
FIRE
Well" he said to himself. " there is one
thing i reuember-remember distinctly. 1t is
the number on the carriage-lamp; it is the
number-the number 234-in letters of red
upon the caTriage-lampi"
End Of Doctors part.
n