The morning call., 1893-01-25

Frog Hollow And slamming my hat on
the back Of my head and turning up my
cuffs in anticipation OF conflict hurried
up he street, and, marching into the hotel
and up TO tnc cielk a. the desk, iald my en-
YelOpe before him and beloved:
Twas this sent from here? I'm John p.
Smith
ITO my utter establishment. sir, the clerk
bowed politely, smiled and said;
YES sir. Here, Walter-Mr AS pri-
yate room; be is waiting for this gentle
man.
81 followed the waiter After a long
hall. large door and a square passageway,
we came to a door which he Knocked.
1.-THE waiter opened the door, stepped back,
allowed me TO pass him. and shut me 10.
Il stood Ia a splendid little room, with
a Persian rug on the floor, several Won
derful chairs, library liable, an lmpos-
ing desk case, and two middle-aged gen.
tlemen Of very important aspect rose 10
greet me.
1--WE are greatly obliged to you for your
promptitude, Mr. Smith" said tue first
shaking hands warmly.
so considerable OF you, too to come In
guise" said the first. "Y on are so well
known TO criminals that 1t might have given
alarm had you come In your proper person;
but that makeup, now isn't il perfect, A. 4?
Isn't 1t perfect? That linen coat those
whiskers and that wig
"'WigP cried ]. See here. II you're
making fun Of me I'll
'Good-good, said Mr.. A, laughing;
then, becoming grave again:
But now to the business for which we
need you. We were Mortified this morning,
Dir. Smith, to hear that Lord Lumpkins. an
English no beman, staying here before pro-
ceeding 10 hunt the buffalo on the plains,
had been robbed of tremendous sum
$4,000. in fact-S50. 900 at least
"'The credit Of our house is involved. We
are in a terrible dilemma. Servants and
employees have been searched; all innocent.
| am sure. No guest has left. 1t was not
a burglar No, sir. We will take YOU to
Lord Lumpkins' room and he will give you
all particulars.
"'Of course. Mr.. Smith, you'll stay here
while you work up the case. I've put room
at your disposal. Pray complain to us ii
you are not comfortable. After our inter-
view, will you lunch with US while we talk
it Over?
would l lunchP Iwould have lunched.
] am afraid, with any imp OF darkness who
had invited me.
Il understood nothing that was required
of me, but as / had been clerk in real-es-
tate Office and had dim idea OF law bust
ness and legal papers, | supposed 1t was
something of that sort for which they
needed me. At all events. whatever hap
pened, | would live we'll while it ted.
Il followed them to his lOrdshlp's room,
and took careful notes of all he told me he
had lost.
Miniature of young lady set in dia-
monds. In point of fact, likeness oil Lady
Catherine said the young Lord with blush.
so that l understood what he thought OF
Lady Catherine.
1.-The miulsture will probably be the
clew,' said Mr.. A.
81 remarked, Naturally and noticed
that my taking down a description Of the
miniature was approved of.
I'VE had glorious lunch after that, and
| was no used TO champagne either; cider
had been quite good enough for me. went
to my room in very queer condition, and
saw four pens and as many inkstands.
This was not condition In which to do
any copying. / brthought me that shower
bath might sober me; and, being guided to
bathroom by waiter, came out refreshed
from the soaking, re-entered my room, a.
supposed. and laid down Gu lounge in q
dark alcoye TO take short nap.
Il came 10 myself at some very late hour.