The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-12

live here, " returned MaXey sharply 81
don't see what difference it makes to
you.
"Nobody of that name lives here,
true enough, but there are two rooms
let ont in that name on my upper floor.
That is why l asked. "
ooh, that is why you asked? Very
well, sir. Let me see the landlord at
once, and pray tell him that my bhsi-
ness is pressing" "
The sly man surveyed Maxey with in
creasing curiosity and answered in a
confidential tone: well, sir, you see
the landlord. What can do for you?"
Isn't there q place where l can speak
to you privately Without fear of being
overheard"
"To be sure there isr' exclaimed the
sly man, with great alacrity. "Como
right in"
Ii a minute or two MaXey was closet
ed in an unpretentious parlor with the
landlord. The artist began by taking a
card from his pocket and passing it across
the center table The sly man seized
upon it with avidity and devoured it.
ooh, yes. Maxcy, artist Happy to
meet you, Mr.. .Maxey. Ny name is Bel
fry"
"Mr. Bclfry," said Maxey, after a
momentary dcliberation, during which
he had kcenly scrutinized the landlords
face, II come here on important bust
ness, and business which is quite as pri-
vatc and confidential between you and
me as it is important. desire informa-
ton, and for it I-shall pay literally"
Evidently the artist had made q fe-
licitous beginning. There was no mis-
taking the radiance that lighted up the
sly man face at the mention Of the last
essential detail.
"Oh, don't mention it, sir! If / can
be Of any service to you, Belfry is your
man "
THANK you. Now will be explicit.
l want to know all about this lodger of
yours who calls himself Dye, every pos
sible detail connected with him, but l
do not want him to know that | have
made any inquiries concerning him. l
desire to keep my interest in this matter
entirely to myself"
The sly mans face visibly elongated
at this announcement.
In the first place" went on the
artist, "who is Mr. Dye?"
MAY be blessed if I wouldn't give
a trife to know that myself. But judg
ing from what have seen of him and
of the people who inquire after him, he
is pretty curious and mysterious sort
of individual. T."
"What do you mean by the people
who inquire after him?"
The habitual sly look became a shade
slyer.
"Well you, for instance. There has
been nobody else to speak of, with one
exception, which doesn't matter, and
never mind, for as that was confidential
between nc and her ! am mum. But
speaking to you now, sir, I may say
that a man giving his name as Leander
Dye came to this house one morning
something over three weeks ago and
wanted to hire rooms. But being that
there was that about the looks of this
man that made me think of back rents
that never could be collected, and being
that Belfry is poor man and must
live, l said at once to this shabby gen
tleman that / was not looking for tram
sients, and If he wanted to come here /
should require three months rent in ad-
vance. He gave me such start then
that l haven't got over it yet, for he
draws out roll of bills as big as my fist
and counts out the money at once.
That's the first I knew Of that individ-
ual. He took the rooms at sight, and 1
busted out, andhe moved up couple of
trunks and didn't sec no more of him
for two days"
"Was he aloneT
pretty much, only he had woman
with him."
"Was she young or old?"
Couldn't say. She wore veil. He
called her his daughter. Perhaps she
was. Belfry is still undecided about
that. He has kept a lodging house long
enough to know shy-canery when he
sees it. 1 think / may remark that Of
Belfry fair and candid Iwould mention
that this woman wore veil that con-
cealcd her features; that she got out Of
q bus at the door and went straight up
to her rooms. Nobody got good look
at her, though divers persons to my
knowledge tried All can tell you
about that parsonage. Mr.. Maxey, is