Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-24

and on my own ground 1 had suffered
enough at his hands. What l had to ex-
peCt therefore, when entirely in his power.
/ failed to guess: hut on that account
felt only the greater apprehension, SO that
it was with relief that | recognized hrst'
as soon 1 had crossed the threshold,
peculiar HeatEcsS and cleanliness In the
rooms as If Ferguson at home were some
thing different from Ferguson abroad. ana
secondly. that he was not alone, but enter
tanned Il visitor.
Neither OF these things, to be sure. alter
ed his bearing toward me, or took from the
brutality with which 1t was his constant
humor to address me- but as his opening
words announced that the VISITOR DuSl-
ness lay With me. they relieved me from
my worst Observation-Disclosures, that was
to be called to account for the steps
had taken t. escape-and at tn same Time
amused me with the hope Of better treat
ment, sine no man could zeal WIN hie
worse than he had.
This is your man." he cried. lying back
in his chair and pointing to me with tne
pipe he was smoking. Never was Sucn
sweat For my Part, wish you JOY OF him.
Here. you. sirrah.' he continued, address
ing me, This gentleman wishes to SPEAK
to YOU and mind you, you Will DO what lie
But at that the gentleman cut him short
with a deprecating gesture. Softly. ME-
Ferguson, softly. he said. and rose ana
bowed to me. Then l saw that he "as the
vent Garden. and the one who mad dis-
missed me. You go too fast. he went
on smiling. land give our friend mere
wrong impression of me. Mr.. Taylor, i
But 1t was Ferguson's turn to take him
up, which he did with a boisterous laugh
Ho. Taylor. Taylor he cried in ierision
No more Taylor than l am Haberdasher!
The mans name
is whatever he pleases." the stranger
struck in with another bow. Il neither
ask it nor seek to know 1t. Such things
between gentlemen and in these times are
neither here nor there. 1t Is enough, and
perhaps too much that L am come 10 ask
you to do me a favor and service, MIR.
Taylor. both of which are In your power
He spoke with politeness which went
far to win me, and the further for the con-
trast 1t afforded to Fergusons violence.
With his appearance | was not so greatly
taken. finding in it, though he was dress
ed well enough. clearer signs of reckless
ness than of discretion. and palmer evil
dences OF hard living than of charity or
study. But perhaps the prayer of such
man. when he stoops to pray, Is the more
powerful. At any rate. l was already half
gained when | answered, asking him timid-
ly what 1 could do for him.
Pay a call with me- said he. lightly.
Neither more than that nor less.
| asked him on whom we were to call.
'On a lady" he answered, who lives at
the other end of the town..
But can l be of any service?" l said,
feebly struggling against the inevitable.
on can, he answered. vi great SeTN-
ice
Devil Bit" said Ferguson, testify, and
stared deriSively at me out of a cloud of
smoke. 1t occurred to me then that he
was not quite sober. and further that he
was no more in the secret than 1 was.
Devil bit!'' said he again, and more Of
fenSivey.
You will let me judge of that" said the
gentleman. Ald he turned to the table.
viii you mind changing the clothes you
wear for these?" he said to me with a
pleasant air. On which 1 saw that he had
on the table by his hand a suit of fine silk
velvet clothes. surmounted by grand
| dress peruke. with a laced steinkirk and
ruffies to match. Pardon the imperti-
hence" he continued. Struggling his Shout
ders. as II the matter were a very slight
one, while l stared in amaZement at this
new turn 1t is only that l think you " III
| aid me the better In these. And. after all,
what Is cnange of clothes?"
Naturally 1 looked at the things In WON
der. l had never worn clothes of the kind
DO you want me to put them on?''
| said
Yes" he answered. smiling. viii you
| do 1t on the faith that 1t will serve me
and trust me to explain Iater?''
II there Is no danger in-in the bust
ness l said. reluctantly. II suppose
| must. AS a fact. whatever he had asked
me. with Ferguson beside him. I should
| have had to do it. great was my fear OF
| that man.
There is no danger he replied Il will
| answer for il. l shall accompany you and
return with you.
On that. and though / did not cOmpre-
bend in the least degree what was required
| OF me. l consented. and took the clothes
at the strangers bidding. into the next
room. where | put of mine and put them
| on: and presently. seeing myself in a little
| square of glass that hung against the wall
| scarcely knew myself in a grand suit of
| blue velvet slashed and laced with pearl
color. a dress peruke and lace rufies ard
| cravat. Being unable to tie the cravat, l
| went back into the room with 1t In my
| hand. where l found not only the two I
| had left. but the girl who had summoned
| me that morning. The two men greeted
! the change In me with oaths of surprise
| the girl who stood In the background
| with an open-eyed stare. but for q moment
| and until the stranger had tied the cravat
| for me. nothing was said that I under
| stood. Then Mr.. Ferguson getting I'D and
| walking round me with a candle gazing at
| me from top to toe, the other asked him,