Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-30
III,

The cab which conveyed Mr.. Thoma:
Brussels new client to the secluded street
leading out of the Strand was stopped al
the turning by its occupant Mrs. Barber
ini got out, dismissed the vehicle, and
walked with fluttering heart and timid
step to the number indicated in the letter
she had received
of into business Offices, and without any
conspicuous feature about it. She pulled at
the particular bell which bore Mr.. Brussels
name inscribed on a brass plate beneath,
and the summons was promptly answered
by a sober looking man, who respectfully
invited her TO walk up. She was ushered
into plainly furnished sitting room, and
on Immediately entering it the sober man
said:
"Please be seated, ma'am. Mr.. Brusel
will see YOU in a minute.
Mrs. Barberini had hardly time to COM
pose herself and look around the apartment
before a side door, till then unperceived by
her, was opened and a gentleman, evidently
the Director of the Inquiry Agency in per-
son, stepped forward making profound
obeisance.
Mr.. Brusel, late of Scotland Yard, where
he had held the office of Inspector, was a
portly and f1orid man, perhaps 80 years of
age, with shrewd, twinkling ewes, large
nose and bushy whiskers. He was a person
of some mark, whose official career had been
highly successful II it had been as lucra-
tive as it had been brilliant Mr.. Brusel
would have been glad to continue servant
of the Government Unfortunately, par
simony in the wrong direction is failing
for which our administration is notorious;
and, as an ill-paid official waxing in years,
Mr.. Brusel had come TO the conclusion that
it would pay him better to serve the public
in an independent capacity. He had, there
fore, resigned his post, organized a private
inquiry agency of his own, and, so far, had
no reason whatever to regret the step which
after mature deliberation he had taken.
He advanced with the ease of man of
the world, tempered by professional defer
ence TO a client and naturally chivalrous
feeling for the fair sex.
''Mrs Barberini. if 1 am not mistaken?
1 am the person to whom your letter was
addressed, and quite at your service" 3"
His persuasive smile soon exercised its
influence. Mrs. Barberini, horribly ner-
vous at first, gradually began to feel more
comfortable, and to realize that it was not
so dreadful thing after all to consult a
d
which had brought her there.
"You may speak quite freely here,
madam" continued Mr.. Brusel. "Kindly
regard this as sort of confessional. Secrets
90 no further than these walls Discretion
and dispatch is my motto Discretion and
ma'am. 1 like to get through my
j obs quickly, and to bury them once they're
settled. Lord! ma am, if 1 hadn't learnt
the trick of forgetting all the things that
have passed through my brain 1 should
have been bursting long ago. No head
would have been big enough to hold them
all"
He was discoursing in this way, not be-
cause he was garrulous by nature, but be-
cause it was part of his system to give diff
dent clients time to recover themselves
while he ratified on airily, and to familiar
ze them with the novelty of the situation.
His plan was eminentlv successful with
Mrs. Barberini, for she soon gained courage
md commenced to explain her wishes.
Mr.. Brusel listened with profound atten-
ion. The story she told was, in substance.
recital of the doubts and fears already re-
corded in reference to Mr.. Barberini.
Her narrative was couched in guarded
anguage; but the acute ex-I Inspector
guessed the whole truth after she had
spoken but half dozen words, and heard
ler rather for forms sake than tor instruc-
ion. At the conclusion of her statement
ne assumed brisk business-like air.
Il am to understand then, ma am, that
you wish ME to have an eve kept on Mr..
movements-quletly of course" he
fastened to add, observing renewed SYM
oms of trepidation, Every quietly, of course.
Strictly on the @. T. We are accustomed to
hat sort of work and can keep q thorough |
watch on people without anybody being |
ware OF it except ourselves. Once l put a |
nan on Mr.. B. s track, he won't be lost sight |
" l think l can guarantee that"
Sand he won't know, will he? asked Mrs. |
3arberini, anxiouslv. 81 should not like |
lim to suspect"
Mr. Brusel indulgedi in movement of the |
light eye suspiciously suggestive of wink.
'Reassure yourself, ma'am," he said. SIT |
S our business to keep everything secret.
You want to know, without Mr.. B. Is know
ng that you want 10 know, where Mr. B. |
,oes and what he does with himself Very |
yell, the information shall be supplied to
'ou. And, by the way, there's a matter |
ught to mention to you, and of which you
re perhaps ignorant
"What is it?" asked Mrs. Rarberini,
''Only this" replied the ex-I Inspector,
Tith affected carelessness, ''thdt Mr.. B. him
elf has thought proper to institute watch
n your movements, ma'am. You've been
teadily followed 1 should think for some
ime past"
".
The startling disclosure fell with the
orce of thunderbolt on Mrs Barberini
'Me. followed" she exclaimed, as soon
G she racoyerad her nowere of spaech |