The Washington times., 1894-10-14

later busily studying the menu. The room
was well filled. and at Clyde's small round
table another man was sitting. AS the young
cavalryman wrote his order the eyes OF his
vis-a-vis fell upon the Arizona Jewel and be-
came riveted thereon. The man flushed and
paled; glanced from the ring to Clyde. and
from CLYDE back TO the ring. But this pass
ing pantomime was unobserved by the officer
who aid not, however, fail 10 REMARK the
mans agitation and nervousness.
The latter was Well-made, fashiOnably
dressed man Of about forty. His face was not
a pleasant one. The small, keen gray eyes
were rather too close together, and about the
thin, colorless lips there lurked an oppression
SO sinister as TO suggest yiclousness. At the
same time his nose was Of the shape that has
Influenced great commanders when choosing
their generals As he arose to leave the table
he hesitated a moment as if about 10 address
Clyde, then. apparently forced against his de-
sire to do so. suddenly turned about and left
the room.
.sTnese New Yorkers live too fast" mused
CLYDE. "a little of our Arizona programme
would steady their nerves amazingly. With
this reflection the stranger passed out OF his
mind and the young mans attention was
given to his dinner.
The following day he chanced to pass his
friend. Major Glitten, of the artillery, in COM
pany with the same man. The two officers
made the conventional military recognition,
but the eyes OF the civilian were fixed steadily
upon CLYDE, who did not fail to observe the
scrutiny
''Who was that man I saw you with this
morning?' asked Clyde of the major, as
later in the dav Glitten stroIled into the Office
HE asked me the same question respect
ing yourself the moment you had passed, y
answered the elder officer pleasantly. is it
a case of mutual love at sight? He is the
great stockbroker Holmes. You have some
capital and he is just the fellow to help you
or ruin YOU"
ION the contrary, I did not like h is face
responded Clyde. ''He sat opposite me at
dinner yesterday, and he eyed me in such a
peculiar manner that I fancied he was either
a little off or else that he thought me sus-
picious character.
81 know little about him personally" re-
piled the major. 'beyond the fact that he is a
power on the street and that he has lovely
wife. Ry the way, if you care for society and
that kind of thing let me introduce you to
Swinton. He is a member of all the best
clubs and au fait with everybody and every
thing
few days later Mr.. Swinton, the cotilion
leader, and Clyde were enjoying a tete-a-tete
dinner at one of the formers clubs in the
city. Clyde's host was an excellent talker
and quite an artist at story telling. The din
ner was in every way agreeable and enter
tanning to the two men, who already by that
indescribable intuition which one cannot
readily define felt themselves friends. As
they arose to go into an adjoining room for
their coffee and cigars Clyde, to his astonish-
ment. saw Holmes in evening dress enter the
dining-rOom. The word astonishment is here
used to convey the rightful impression that
Clyde, for reasons unknown to himself, had
assigned Mr.. Holmes to a lower stratum OF
society than his present environment implied.
Turning to his friend and making a slight
motion in the direction of Holmes, Clyde
said: pray tell me who that man is and
what you know about him?"
As he was speaking Swinton was giving a
careless nod to the Individual who had pro-
voked Clydes inquiry. When comfortably
seated over their coffee and cigars SWinton
said:
That's Holmes-Lawrence Holmes, the
stockbroker. l do not fancy him myself,
though his wealth and ability command al
most universal admiration. have always felt
that he was in some underhand way impli-
Gated in poor Clayton's misfortune. which led
to the latter's disappearance and probably to
his death. However this may be, Clayton s
whereabouts have been unknown to his
friends ever since the beautiful Miss Thorpe,
to whom it was understood he was engaged,
gave him his conge."
do give me the particulars. or the speci-
cations, as we say in the Army" responded
Clyde, showing much interest
Swinton assumed q more easeful position
and for moment smoked in silence as his
thought went back to the not distant past;
then turning to Clyde he said:
"You surely Must have heard OF the great
bslie OF few years ago, Augusta Thorpe?"