The National tribune., 1891-12-17

veal, or have como 20 the knowledge OF stIan-
gers. But in feeling for his diamonds he had
discovered the rent in his shirt bosom, I'D inn
mediRtely after the loss Of the miniature.
A sharp cry as Of sudden pain escaped his
lips, and the little color left in bis checks en-
tirely disappeared. A fit Of syncope ensued.
In his enleobled condition il was no easy
thing for DIR. Dillngworth, with all his skill,
TO bring him again 20 consciousness. And when
he was restored, he was denied any further
conversation.
i" ] wish to ask one or two questions" said
the sufferer in a tone Of duplication.
Not another one" said the Surgeon decd-
eddy; but the effect Of this refusal was so de-
pressing that he Immediately added, If the
answer will increase your present excitement"
hope" returned the patient, :" that the
truth will allay my agitation"
" IN that case, said the Doctor, there is no
objection. But be brief; you need repose."
lilo motioned me again 10 the bedside, and
his patient Inquired il the assailant had taken
the miniature. i then gave him detailed &C
count of all had seen, and the manner of the
robbers escape.
And you think" said be, "that he left on
one Of those boats?"
/ certainly do"
" You are mistaken" said he. He attacked
me in a disguise and, Invested Of that, was prob
ably passed dozen times by the soldiers I'M
recognized"
was ready enough to adopt this view of the
case as it would satisfactorily account for the
failure of the Corporal-a superior officer OF his
grade.
THAT man." he said presently, "is my
deadly enemy"
was surprised, but said nothing for per-
ceyed that he was still in high state of ex-
citemeut.
"There, there!" said the Surgeon, interpos-
ing. You must desist for the present. After
a sound sleep you can talk with less danger"
" Very well, Doctor" said the sufferer. " But
il you would have me sleep you must give me
an opiate. A small dose viii suffice; i sleep
easily"
g ] shall leave You two powders" said the
Surgeon. Take one Immediately, and the
other, If you do not sleep, in an hour"
While the Doctor was writing the prcscrip-
ton bis patient said to me-: Before leaving
the city ] may require some military protec-
ton"
No more talk today" said the Surgeon
sharply.
" Tomorrow. then" said the sufferer. ITO
morrow, at this hour. And then" he added,
IL you will allow me, i shall relate TO you the
history Of that miniature"
III.
All that day the injured man slept soundly
under the soothing influence Of the opiate. At
6 o'clock the Doctor aroused him sufficiently to
satisfy himself that all was right. Then leay-
ing him TO the care Of hotel servant, we went
together TO a billiard room on the main street.
TO while away an hour as was our daily custom
after supper.
There wero five tables in the room, all Of
which were occupied. The last was taken just
before we entered.
"A moment too late, [" said the Surgeon.
Yes" j replied, little disappointed.
DillngwOrth examined the various counts
10 see If any game was near its close. OBJ
served the different players 10 ascertain which
set made the most rapid progress.
:" think" said the Doctor presently, THAT
we shall have to play the part Of lookers-on in
Vienna"
=" am content" said ], no longer feeling the
disappointment.
Knowing that seldom watched the play Of
Others with either pleasure or patience, Dilling-
/ worth glanced at my face, little surprised. At
the moment was looking earnestly At some
object at the farther end Of the room, and he
! immediately turned his eyes in the same direc-
| ton.
| While observing the different players my at
tention had been particularly attracted 20 the
/ cOuntenance OF one at the table farthest from
the entrance. bad seen him before, and was
| trying TO remember the place and occasion.
| All my life i have been troubled with too
] good remembrance Of faces / notice a man
IN a car, on boat, in a street, at church or
4 theateT and the next time meet him, 50 IA
miliar are bis features, that think be must be
some acquaintance. In consequence, / suffer
much perpleXity and some u4Orti 6catiOn.
who is hep" inquired Diiingworth, OBJ
serving the Object Of my attention.
am trying TO recollect," / replied.
"Oh! You have seen him somewherep I"
be said, slightly ridicning my pecnliarity.
Yes" replied. aud unless greatly mis-
taken, under remarkable circumstances. shall
place him II you will exercise little patience. -
Or, as usual" he returned, mistake a
stranger for an acquai ntance."
4 BY attention was FIRST attracted TO the man
/ by fixed look he gave me as glanced from
table 60 table at the players he was in the
act Of striking ball when our eyes met, and
he hesitated long enough to observe the ex-
preston Of my c0untenance. IL Is possible
that he mistook my perplexity for recogni-
| ton, for when he had flushed his run and
scored has count, he approached me with an air
Of easy self-eonGdencc
You viii not condemn me-" he said, abb
ruptly, when you have heard my explana-
ti0nD
There was something in the tone Of his voice.
| which brought him directly 10 my recollection.
/ IL was he who had Knocked the man down in
front Of the Prentiss House, and robbed him OF
the miniature. II was little wonder that did
! not know him when our eyes met for he was
handsomely, even fashionably dressed, and
bore traces Of his former rulianIy appear
| ance
shall be az your service when this game
is finished, J" be added, before i could answer
" Continue your play" / replied, waving him
back 20 the table with gesture of my hand
Not certain what / ought 10 do under The
circumstances j desired little time for refec,
ton. But after few moments / concluded
that, as there was 80 much mystery about thu
encounter, would Grst hear his explanation
When the game was finished, the stranger
washed the chalk from his fingers and APP
preaching me again, proposed that should &
with him 10 las apartments.
" IL my friend, said /, can bear me com
panyf"
90. certainly" lac replied,
then introduced the Surgeon, and hoped
that In return the stranger would announce hi
own name, Of which declared my ignorance
lie Acknowledged the introduction with polit,
obeisance but did not crafty me with the de
sired announcement j was not pleased with
the omission, which, though evidently in
tended, was carefully disguised as an inadver
tsnce.
j did not allow him 10 perceive my disAp
pOintment, however, but placing my arm IL
that Of the Surgeon, accompanied him 10 tn
Washington Hotel.
Here the stranger assembled n fight OF stair
and entered private parlor, whore he inyite
! the Doctor and myself 10 be seated. lie the
! tapped lightly az A door leading into anothe
room, and on being answered in as sweet