The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-06-01

"In view of the fact that he does not
live here, =" returned MaXey sharply, II
don't see what difference it makes to
you"
Nobody Of that name lives here,
true enough, but there are two rooms
let out in that name ON my upper floor.
That is why | asked"
'Oh, that is why you asked? Very
well, sir. Let me see the landlord at
once, and pray tell him that my bust
ness is pressing.
The sly man surveyed MaXey with in
creasing curiosity and answered in u
confidential tone: "Well, sir, you see
tho landlord. What can do for your"
Isn't there place where can speak
to you privately without fear of being
overheard"
''To be sure there isl" exclaimed the
sly man, with great alacrity Come
right in. :"
In minute or two Maxey was closet
ed in an unpretentious parlor with the
landlord The artist began by taking u
card from his pocket and passing it across
the center table. The sly man seized
upon it with avidity and devoured it.
"Oh, yes. Maxey, artist Happy to
meet you, Mr. Maxey. My name is Bel
fry.
Mr.. Belfry," said Maxey, after
momentary deliberation, during which
he had kcenly scrutinized the landlords 3
face, II come here on important bust
ness, and business which is quite as pri-
vate and confidential between you and
me as it is important. desire informa-
tion, and for il | shall pay literally"
Evidently the artist had made fc-
licitous beginning. There was no mis-
taking the radiance that lighted up tho
sly man face at the mention of the last
essential detail.
"Oh, don't mention it, sirl If l can
be of any service to you, Belfry is your
man..
Thank you. Now will be explicit.
/ want to know all about this lodger of
yours who calls himself Dye, every pos
sible detail connected with him, but
do not want him to know that l have
made any inquiries concerning him. l
desire to keep my interest in this matter
entirely to myself u
at this announcement.
In the first place." went on the
artist, "who is Mr. Dyc?"
May be blessed if l wouldn't give
a triflo to know that myself But judg-
ing from what have seen of him and
of the people who inquire after him, he
is a pretty curious and mysterious sort
of individual.
What do you mean by the people
who inquire after him?''
The habitual sly look became shade
slyer.
We'll, 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 me and her | am mum. But
speaking to you now, sir, l may say
that 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 Door man and muab
live, ] said at once to this shabby gen.
tleman that was not looking for tram
sients, and if he wanted to come here I
should require three months rent i'll adj
vance. He gave me such n start then
that l haven't got over it yet, for he
draws out a roll Of bills as big as my fist
and counts out the money at once.
That's the first / knew of that individ-
ual. He took the rooms at sight, and
busted out, and he moved up couple of
trunks, and didn't see no more of him
for two days"
''Was he alone?"
pretty much, only he had woman
with him."
"Was She young or old?"
Couldn't say. She wore a veil. He
called her his daughter, Perhaps she
was. Bclfry is still undecided about
that He has kept n lodging house long
enough to know shy-canery when he
sees it. | think ] may remark that of
Belfry fair and candid. would mention
that this woman wore veil that con-
eealed her features; that she got ont of
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 l can tell you
about that parsonage, Mr.. Maxey, is
that she wore the clothes of female
and was of melancholy disposition. "
How do you know that?''
Because the partitions are not over
thick, and the lodger in the next room
heard her crying.
Is that all he heard?'
'You are surprised, Mr.. Maxey, at
that lodger's stupidity. So was l. The
man was an ass. Why, he didn't oven
take the trouble to put his ear to til
wall When talked with him about ii
aftcrward and expressed my feeling
plainly in a pitying smile, ha could nai
see it even then. You don't know what
you've missed, says l. Don't want
to, says he, If got out of bed to lis
ten every time heard woman squall
shouldn't sleep at all. Women arc n
ways crying. -
We'll, and what became of this m.
Dye2"
As / was telling you, Mr.. Make,