The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-08
CHAPTERI XXI.
SPYING TO SMALL PURPOSE.

SPYING TO SMALL PURPOSE.
The conversation of the two gentlemen
suddenly ceased as Wormer approached;
but it would probably have soon termin-
ated at all events, even without such in
terruption, and the spy could not but
observe, with secret yexation, that
thoroughly good understanding seemed
to have already been arrived at between
them.
Il hope I don't intrude, as the little
fellow says in the play" he remarked,
in his new brusque way, and with as
much of the military air as he could as
sumo. But, demnition, gentlemen, I'm
as dry as desert after my rations, and
it's cosmopolitan rule Of mine never to
drink alone in public. May do the
agreeable in this instance?"
The gentlemen were obliged to him,
felt highly honored, and the like. but the
one was not imbibing at all so early in
the day, and the other was rather of the
opinion that he had already taken as
much as was in strict accordance with
hygienic principles, more especially in
view of his not having breakfasted as
vet. However, upon being urged, Captain
Rollingstone concluded that he could
risk Just another brandy and soda, fol-
the mere sake of rescuing Captain Jig ,les'
lifelong cosmopolitanism from coming
to grief, and Jasper was sufficiently alive
to the spirit of the occasion to order an
other cigar.
The latter then quietly smoked, whilo
observing the desultosy hob-nobIing OF
the different exponents OF military Ser;
vice, real and pretentious, which lasted
for some little time, the one exponent
evidently bent on ingratiat.,GGs, himself IN
the others confidence by serises Of hu1-
tuating tactics, now der,onstrative and
now subtle, and IT, other apparently de-
risiIG o lazy sort of amusement in the
,, maneuvers developed, while experiencing
on his own part, growing sense of self
centered security, by reason OF the fortl-
| fyinp system, of bibulouS character, con.
scientiously adhered to from the first.
At last Captain Rollingstone reluct-
antly expressed his regret at having TO
| meet an urgent engagement elsewhere,
| aud hinted that q temporary accommoda-
ton to the extent of f'-pun bank note
would 90 far toward the establishment OF
future amity and goodwill. The test
upon the spy's fidelity to his assumed
| character was strong one, but 1t mast
be said to his credit that he stood it un-
finchinglv, and that the solicited loan
was forthcoming, with every appearance
of reckless good-humol, and accom-.
nanied by a fictitious address that pretty
effectually relegated any hope of liquida'
ton, that otherwise might have been
vaguely entertained, to the regions OF re-
mote improbabllity.
Rolling gstone then sauntered out of the
inn, after exchanging what might be con,
sidered a significant glance with the
pseudo Mr.. Bently, who then adjourned
to the newspaper files OF an adjoining
reading room, to while away, in the
pseudo Captain Jiggles' opinion, the hours
bending the arrival Of the newly ordered
Garments, and to be followed by the last
mentioned pretender, in pursuance of his
determination to not again lose sight OF
-his man" for many minutes at time.
This state of affairs continued until
two or three in the afternoon, with the
spy keeping up his watch, ana the otneI
appsrently alto oether unconscious OF
anvthirp of the sort, and only occasion
ally appearing trihe bored, when SER
want came to say to Mr.. Bently that the
bundle he had been expecting had come
and was awaiting his inspection In tht
apartment which he had engaged:
Even then the spy followed his man
to the foot of the inn-stairs, upon
fimsy pretext, and grudgingly watched
his ascent and subsequent disappearance
into a room at the top of the steps: :.
Dash it all! If. after all. he shoule
succeed IN giving me the slip, IN one wa!
I or another, how should feel?" nutteret
Wormcr. with an inward groan. No
> only would all hopes OF my promised
four hundred pounds be at an end, but
SHOULD. moreover, be cut On tia! five
mound note that that seedy Rollingstont
, soaped me out of-the devil fyaway will
hin! Not to mention the ter-pounde
that had to poultce Bug with yes:er
, dav. But no--the deuce! ! cannot ahor'
: to even dream of failure. No no! JAS
Der Marlowe Las assuredly got on MI
| noraor, the naner the nossessipp CT W1lcl