Arizona republican., 1898-06-24

As has been set forth, the test ol endurance went on for more than a twelvemonth. It was ended in strange | manner, without warning. and at a time when l was near 10 despair. Ths landlord had attempted again to col lect part of the money due him-hs could scarcely be said to have bounded me for it, inasmuch as he had suffered so undesirable a tenant to fall several months in arrears-and once more he had been put off with excuses and apol ogies. He had not been harsh in his replies. but it was easy to understand that his patience was fairly exhausted He had left me still in possession, but I feared that few days more would see me turned into the street and al most as hopeless as a shipwreclIed sail or on q barren island. In either case starvation would be quite among the possibilities. (
 After frugal supper I tried to read, but with very slight success, my thoughts wandering repeatedly from the book to the approaching crisis in my affairs. It must have been for hours that I sat breeding over my per plexities. At last, more discouraged than ever by the unvarying trend of the reflections, started to my feet, and, crossing to the window, raised the curtain and peered out. It was later than I supposed, for the lights had disappeared from the houses across the way and the pavement seemed to be deserted. Turning back to my desk. I filled pipe. Tobacco was the sole luxury left to me, and the stock in my pouch was running low.
 There came knock at the door, a light tap thrice repeated. As l aE- swered the summons a man stepped into the room, and, with quick mo- tion, closed the door behind him. He was of medium height, thin, sallow- faced, hooked-nosed, with crisp, black hair and mustache shot with gray
 'Dr. Alfred Morris?" he asked.
 I bowed and motioned him to a chair Disregarding the invitation, he drew a letter from his pocket.
 "For you--this," said he.
 The envelope bore no address. Break ing the seal, I drew out a sheet of paper on which was written: Let the bearer command all good offices" In place of the name of the writer was a Greek cross with three dots beside it. A second glance at the words above the device satisfied any doubts as to the identity of the man whose hand had penned them.
 ''This is the best of introductions, , said I. 'Pray be seated. In what way can I assist you?"
 'It is matter of a confidential char acter," he answered, with a glance about the room.
 "You may speak freely. There is no one to play the eavesdropper.'
 ''That is well. I will endeavor to trespass upon but little of your time.'
 He spoke with a peculiar slowness. almost hesitancy Gas if picking his words with great care), and with a marked accent, which at once betrayed that English was not his native tongue.
 You may command me-" said I. But pardon me. your name is not given in this note."
 "My name? An, you may call me La mar"
 He came closer and fixed a pair of piercing eyes upon me.
 ''Dr. Norris" said he, ''I request you to suffer me to pass by my reasons for coming here.'
 ''Your credentials are enough" said I. Rest assured I shall question you on no point you prefer not to explain ,
 And I may request also secrecy, in any event, regarding this meeting?''
 q give you my word, as 1 have said, that you may command me-"
 He paused, as if to reach decision in some matter of great moment. l studied him with increasing curiosity. my interest fired by the strange cir cumstances of his visit.
 "I make you, then, a proposition 5 he said, at last. q wish to obtain the right of your time and attendance"
 I stared at him in blank amazement. What cOilld he neano Did he DrOuOSe