The Florence daily tribune., 1898-04-18
The Beautiful White Devil
tcontinned From Third Pase)

Benwell rose and went round the ta-
BILE to where his ball lay under the
cushion. The imperturbable marker
called the score as if there had been no
pause in the game, and the match was
once more getting under way when the
swing doors opened and an elderly man
entered the room. He was dressed in
white from top to toe, carried big UNI
brella and wore broad brimmed solar
topee upon his head. Once inside he
paused as if irresolute, and then, look
ing round on its occupants, said politely:
Forgive my intrusion, but can you
tell me where i can find gentleman
named DIS Normanville?'
II am that person, said, rising
from my chair.
"I hope you will not think me rude" f"
he continued. "but if you could allow
me the honor of five minutes conversa-
tion with you l should be obliged"
with pleasure.
/ crossed the room to where he stood
and signed him to seat near the door.
Pardon me, he said, "but the bust
ness about which desire to consult you
is of highly important and confidential
nature. Is there any room in the hotel
where we can be alone?"
"Only my bedroom, I'm afraid, l
answered. 1--WE shall be quite free from
interruption there
"That will do excellently. Lot us go
to it."
Arriving at my room, lit o candle
and pushed a chair forward for him.
Having done so, / 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. l remember, too
that the moon was just rising over the
mainland and to show how unimpor-
tant things become engraved upon the
memory / recollect that it struck me as
being more like the yolk of a hard boiled
egg than ever l remembered to have
thought it before. Suddenly remem-
bered the laws of hospitality.
Before we begin business may offer
you some refreshments" l asked. "B.
and s.? Whisky?'
81 am obliged to you," he answered.
II think will take little whisky,
thank you. :"
l put my head out of the door. A
servant wns passing.
"Boy, bring two whisky pegs"
Then returning to my guest, / 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 stranger in Hongkong,
believe, DR.. De Normanville?' he be-
gan.
''Not only in Hongkong, but you
might say in the east generally, an.
swered. "i am out on a tour to study
Asiatic diseases for book am writ
ing"
"You have achieved considerable
success in your profession, | believe
We have even heard of you out here"
I modestly held my tongue, But so
pitiful 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.
"Now forgive my impertinence, he
continued, "but how long do you con-
template remaining in the east?"
| ''It is very uncertain" l replied,
"but 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 ocoupied?"
| II cannot say, but l should rather
think not. So far as can tell at present
my work is accomplished. Z"
"And now will you let me come to
business? To put it bluntly, have you
any objection to earning 81, DOOR"
"Not the very least" answered,
with laugh. "What man would have,
provided, of course, can earn it in a
legitimate manner2"
"You have bestowed considerable at
tention upon the treatment of smallpox,
I believer"
| 81 have had sole charge of two small
pox hospitals, if that's what you mean. "
"Ah, then our informant was right!
Well, this business, in which 81, 900 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 am commits
stoned to negotiate.
"Where is the placer
II cannot tell you
"Not tell me? That's rather strange,
is it not?''
"It is all very strange. But with
your permission will explain myself
more clearly"
| I nodded.
Ito be continued)
NOTICE.