The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-14

him off, and Robert was inwardly CON
/ scious that he was standing there watching
him as he strolled down the street, until
he entered the hotel 1t was now three
O'Clock
II want something to eat" he said.
| Anything will do-a steak, if you have
one in the house. II not, some cold meat
1--WE haven't got steak. sir, but we can
send out and get one. There was a joint at
one o'clock, but shouldn't say it was cold
yet"
well, get me a steak then. five minutes
won't make any difference
| Robert eat his meal with elaboration,
then strolled out into the yard and told the
driver that he should DO ready in quarter
Of au hour.
'By the way, can you tell me where tho
postoffice isg'
Eyes, sir, it is the first street turning off
to the right in the main road, but your
shortest way will be TO go out by the back
gate there and up the lane, that will take
you into the street just opposite the post
Office
This was very satisfactory Information, as
he should be able to get there without being
observed by the butcher, who would proba-
bly, still be on the watch.
The postoffice was a stationer's shop
Robert went in, having glanced at the name
over the door before dong so.
MRS James, he said, ''can have word
with you in private?
The woman, who had hurried, nervous
look, opened the door and called ELIZA, u
and girl arriving told her to look after the
shop for a minute, and then led the way into
the back room.
| 'Birs. James, am a barrister, and be-
long to the Middle Temple" The state
ment was made with an air of such gravity
that the woman was greatly impressed. ~
| have come down here to make "A few in
| Quiries,n he said. ~ don't wish you to tell
me anything about postoiilce business, which
is contrary TO rule, but YOU can answer my
question without in any way breaking the
regulations, and | am empowered TO pay
you 95 for doing So"
| And he procured bank note.
| He saw the woman's owes glisten. Her
rent was in srrear and the five pounds would
be godsend indeed. but sine did not touch
the bank note.
81 must know what the question is, sir q"
at is a very simple one Mrs. James Do
you often have letters here with an Austria
liam postmarkP
eral parties about here who have friends out
there.n
''MorsoD, the butcher, for example" Rob-
| ert said, "he has a brother out there; does
he often hear from HING
81 don't know, sir, but he does get letters
pretty regular with the Australian postmark.
He had one only two days ago."
"Thank you, that is all wanted to know,
though perhaps you might tell me whether
he often posts letters in return"
mo- sir, know his handwriting well
enough, but don't know as l ever saw let
ter from him to Australia. You see he goes
into Oxford two or three times a week, and
may post his letters there"
THANK you, that is all, Here is the note.
don't think even the Postmaster-Gener
could object to you answering those ques.
tions. However, there is no occasion FOR
you to mention that you have been asked
them. 1t is rather an important matter
and we do not wish it to be known that we
are making inquiries about it. Will you LEI
me have half quire Of paper and few
envelopes so that If by any chance you
should be asked IL have been here, you
can say that | called in and bought some
paper and envelopes"
Much relieved to find that her visitor had
not asked her TO give him the address Of q
letter. or TO break any other regulation, the
woman at once supplied him with the paper
and envelopes. With these he went dowr
the lane again to the hotel returned to the
coffee room, aud asked for pen and ink, and
wrote three or four letters. Then he went
cut to the trap which was waiting at the
door, and drove back to Oxford, and thence
went on by the first train to Banbury.
I