The Portland daily press., 1895-05-27
THE NAMELESS MAN.
By RoDRIGUEs oTToLENGUI.

Mr.. Barnes was sitting IN his private
room, with nothing of special impor-
tance to occupy his thoughts, when his
Office boy announced visitor.
"What name?" asked Mr.. Barnes.
''None," was the reply.
"You mean," said the detective,
''that the man did not give you his
name. He must have one, of course.
Show him in.
A minute later the stranger entered,
and bowling courteously began the con-
versation at once
"Mr Barnes, the famous detective,
I believer" said he. 2a 49,
my name is Barnes" replied Che
detective MAY have the pleasure of
knowing yours?'
81 sincerely hope so. :" continued the
stranger 1.-THE fact is suppose have
forgotten it, %
Forgotten your manner" Mr.. Barnes
scented an interesting case and became
doubly attentive.
eyes, said the visitor sfThat is pre-
cisely my singular predicament Iseem
to have lost my identity. That is the
object of my call. wish you to discov-
er who I am. As am evidently a full
grown man, I can certainly claim that
have past history, but to me that past
is blank. Iawoke this morning in this
condition. yet apparently in possession
of all my faculties-so much so that at
once saw the advisability of consulting
o1occ lafao%iua ir,n
was directed to you. 3"
"Your case is most interesting-from
my point of view, mean. To you, of
course, it must seem unfortunate. Yet
it is not unparalleled. There have been
many such cases recorded, and for your
temporary relief may say that soonar
or later complete restoration of memory
usually occurs But now let us try to
unravel your mystery as soon as posi-
BILE, that you may suffer as little incon-
venience as there need be. I would like
to ask you few questions.
GAS many as you like, and I will do
my best to answer.
do you think that you are New
Yorker?'
81 have not the least idea whether 7
am or not"
"You say you wera advised to consult
me- By whom?"
1.-THE clerk at the Waldorf hotel,
where I slept last night. y
''Then Of course he gave you my ad-
dress. Did you find it necessary to ask
him how to find my ofices?"
"Well, no, I did not. That seems
strange, does it not? certainly had no
difficulty in coming here. Isuppose that
must be significant fact, Mr.. Barnes?'
SIT tends to show that you have been
familiar with New York, but we must
still find out whether you live here or
not. How did you register at the hotel?"
I'M. J. G.. Remington, city,
"You are sure that Remington is not
your name?"
"Quite sure After breakfast this
morning I was passing through the
lobby when the clerk called me twice
by that name. Finally one of the hall
boys touched me on the shoulder and ex-
planned that + was wanted at the desk.
I was very much confused to find my
self called Mr. Remington name
which certainly is not my own. Before
1 fully realized my position said to the
clerk, why doyou call me Remington
and he replied. Because you registered
under that name tried to pass it off,
but am sure that the clerk looks upon
me as suspicious character. % =. i--7
"What baggage have you with you at
the hotel?"
"None. Not even satchel."
''May there not be something in your
pockets that would help us-letters, for
example?''
81 am sorry to say that I have made
search in that direction, but found
nothing. Luckily did have pocket
book though
"Much money in it?''
t'In the neighborhood Of $500"
Mr.. Barnes turned to his table and
made a few notes or a pad of paper.
While SO engaged his visitor took out a
fine gold watch, ant after glancing at
the face was about to return it to his
pocket when Mr. Barnes wheeled around
in his chair and said:
''That is handsome watch you havs
there. Of a curious pattern, too. I am
rather interested in old watches -
The stranger seemed confused for an
instant and quickly put up his watch,
saying:
''There is nothing remarkable about
it. Merely an old family relic. value
it more for that than anything else. But
about my case, Mr.. Barnes-how long
do you think it will take to restore my
identity to me? 1t is rather awkward to
go about under false name"
ST should think so," said the detect
i've. 81 will do my best for you, but
you have given me absolutely no clew
to work upon, SO that it is impossible
to say what my success will be. Still /
think 48 hours should suffice At least
in that time ought to make some dis
,ooveries for you. Suppose you call again
on the day after tomorrow at noon pre-
cisely. Will that suit your
Every we'll indeed. If you can tell
me who am at that time, I shall be