The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-07-05

| once more getting uuutT way WHEN the
swing doors opened and an elderly man
entered the room. He was dressed in
white from top TO toe. carried big um-
brella and wore broad brimmed solar
topee upon his head Once inside be
paused Us il irreeolute, and then. look
ing round on its occupants said politely;
Forgive my intrusion. bat can you
tell me whcre can find a gentleman
named De NCrmanville!"
~ am that person. said. rising
from my chair.
81 hope you will not think me rude, ="
hs continued, "but if you could allow
me tho honor Of five minutes converse
tion with you should be obliged.
| with pleasure "
crossed the room 10 where he stood
and signed him TO seat near the door.
| Pardon me, 4" he said. "but the bust
ness about which desire to consult you
is Of a highly important and confidential
nature. Is there any room in the hotel
where we can be alone?''
"Only my bedroom, I'm afraid,
answered 1--WE shall be quite fresfrom
interruption there.
THAT will do excellently. Let US 20
to it."
Arriving at my room, / Lit candle
and pushed a chair forward for him.
Having done so, l took up my position
beside the open window. Down in the
street below l could hear the subdued
voices of the passersby, the rattle of
rickshaws and the chatting of sampans
alongside the wharf. | remember, too,
that the moon was just rising over the
mainland, and q show how unimpor-
fant things becoIse engraved upon the
memory l recollect that it struck me as
being more like the yolk of hard boiled
egg than ever l remembered to have
thought it before. Suddenly l remem-
bered the laws of hospitality.
Before we begin business may offer
you some refreshments asked. "B.
and S.? Whisky"
Il am obliged to you," he answered.
II think | will take little whisky,
thank you -
put my head out of the door. A
servant was passing.
bOy, uIiuB tWO WHISKY pegs.
Then returning to my guest, l said:
"Do you smoke? think / can give you
good cigar.
He took one from the box and lit it.
putting the smoke luxuriously through
his nose.
You are a stranger in Hongkong,
believe, DR.. De Normanville?" he be-
gan.
"Not only in Hongkong, but you
might say i'll the east generally" an
swered 81 am out on a tour to study
Asiatic diseases for O book am writ
ing. D."
You have achieved considerable
success in your profession, l believe.
We have even heard of you out here. 4"
l modestly held my tongue But so
pitlful is the vanity of man that from
this time forward began to look upon
my companion with more friendly air |
than had hitherto shown him.
Nov forgive my impertinence, he !!
continued, "but how long do you con.
template remaining in the east?'
ut is very uncertain" I replied,
"but l almost fancy another six weeks |
will find me upon p. and o. boat !
homeward bound
And in that six weeks will your |
time be very Importantly occupied?''
II cannot say, but l should rather |
think not. So far as can tell at present |
my work is accomplished. "
And now will you let me come to !!
business? To put it bluntly, have you
any objection to earning Ell ,000?''
mot the very least" answered |
with laugh. "What man would have,
provided, of course, can earn it in
legitimate manner"
"You have bestowed considerable at
tention upon the treatment of smallpox,
/ believer
II have had sole charge of two small
pox hospitals, if that's what you mean. a"
All, then our informant was right!
Well, this business, in which ell, 600 is
to be earned, has to do with an outbreak
of that disease
"And you wish me to take charge of
it?"
"That is exactly what l am commits
stoned to negotiate.
where is the placer
II cannot tell you"
"Not tell me? That's rather strange,
is il not?''
ut is all very strange. But with
your permission I will explain myself
more clearly"
nodded.
1T is altogether an extraordinary
business. But on the other hand, the
h. = Is; ;En |