Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-09-08

uentS, and II 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 n roll Of bills as big as nv 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 q 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. l think / may remark that OF
Belfry fair and candid. Iwould mention
that this woman wore a veil that con-
cealed her features; that she got out Of
bus ut the door and went straight ur
to her rooms Nobody got a good look
at her, though divers persons to my
knowledge tried. All I can tell you
about that parsonage, Mr. Maxey, is
that she wore the clothes of a female
and was Of melancholy disposition. -
How do you know that?''
Because the partitions are not ovel
thick, and the lodger in the next room
heard her crying
| rs that all he heard?'
"You are surprised, Mr.. Maxey, al
that lodger's stupidity. So was l. The
man was an ass Why, he didn't ever
take the trouble to put his car to the
wall. When talked with him about il
aftcrward and expressed my feeling.
plainly in a plying smile, he could moi
SEQ it even then. You don't know what
you've missed, says l. Don't want
to, says he. If 1 got ont of bed to lis
ten every time 1 heard a woman squall,
l shouldn't sleep ut all. Women are al
ways crying
We'll, and what became of this mar
Dye?''
las was telling You, Mr.. Maxey,
he was invisible for two days, and ther
one night l met him coming down stair:
| with the key of his door in his hand
Mr.. Belfry, he says, business calls mt
out of town'-them were his very words
my daughter has taken her opportu
nifty to go and visit friends of hers il
the city. Unfortunately she went ava,
III q hurry, and forgot two things-tt
leave the key to the rooms with her q,
to give her any money And thereupor
he handed me the key and fetched ou
of his pocket this very identical bill
which l shows you now, Mr. Maxey
and went his ways ~
Mr.. Belfry passed over for the artist
scrutiny clean, new $40 bill
| This l was to give to the woman
should she come back in his absence
but, as you have gathered, guess, hav,
never set eyes on either Of thera fror
that day to this, which, if 1 do say it
i'll the estimation of Belfry has all tn,
ear markings of shy-canery on the fac,
of it,
Mr.. Belfry, you referred to anothe
inquirer after Mr.. Dye. Did under
stand you it was a woman?"
Very like, Mr.. Maxey. Do you know
herr"
WELL" returned Maxey in q non
committal way, what if do?''
The landlords left eye closed an,
opened in u suggestive manner.
Name begins with F, Ell? Prett,
well up? Something of sumner TO
loOks:''
Maxey's blank face almost caused TIL
sly landlord to smile, but he bit his Iii
and went on:
''Oh, well, if you don't come from
her, l shouldn't feel ut liberty to speal
about confidential matter, of course
That wouldn't be proper, not unless
felt and believed that was working fl
q good cause. A man g conscience nigh
sometimes lead him to do somethin,
which, generally speaking, he mightn'
be anxious to do
'Maxey deliberately took $40 bill
from his pocket and placed it on the ia
BILE
You are working in the best O
causes, he said. Let us know all abou
the lady. know l am trespassirg o.
your valuable time, Mr.. Belfry, and
simply want to show you that do no
mean to overlook the fact that time i
money
'Oh. don't mention it, Mr.. Maxey.
shouldn't think Of charging you any
thing for my little trouble, only woul
like to feel sure that you are on the RICH
side and that all is confidential between
us.
REST assured of all this, Mr.. Bel
fry"
| The sly landlords glance rested alb
stractedly ON the bank note on the table
He seemed to have entirely forgotten it
presence.
1.-The word Of a gentleman ought +
be enough for me, Mr.. Maxey, and
will conceal nothing. Within the las
three weeks certain mysterious femal
has rung at my bell at least four times
She always comes in the night prett,
late, alone and with q dowdy shawl OF
and a good, thick veil over her face. Blu
don't think I'm an idjet, Mr. Maxey
After being in the lodging house bust
ness for 10 years am used to shy Gamer,
n little She's no servant pir1 for naomi