Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-03-15

gard 1t.
1t appeared that Mr.. Gates lived al
the Metropole, and as soon as l obtained
this information I went there in ques
of him. AS luck had it, Mr.. Gates wal
in the. hotel when I called, and I was
shown up to his room.
AS Mr.. Gates was not q permanent
resident there / was somewhat STRUCK
with the luxurious way in which hi
sitting room was furnished. There was
a total absence of the usual hotel furni'
ture, and in its place was a variety oi
articles that bespoke the catholic taste
of the owner; There were easy chairs
and lounges, covered with eastern rugs
and silks and curtains Of soft Indian
texture. On the walls was display Of
curious and fantastic weapons-Damas
Gus swords, Moorish daggers and genu.
inc Andrea Ferrara. There were few
etchings, and on the mantelpiece q
number of photographs, while on vari'
ous cabinets was arranged a goodly show
of Bohemian and Viennese glass. My
eyes took all this in as entered, but my
chief attention was, Of course, centered
in Mr.. Gates himself. He was thin,
wiry man of middle height, and ones
first impression Of him was Of an eye
glass and row of'yellow Jagged teeth.
A second later one noted that he had
pair Of keen, piercing eyes and thin
very thin-lips. For the rest he was
square jawed and clean shaven. His
hair was becoming scanty over bis
brow, and his nose was slightly colored.
Mr.. Gates was writing when the
waiter announced me. The keen eyes
looked inquiringly-I had almost said
distrustfully-at me.
The waiter had bungled my name, 80
hastened to explain who was.
"My name is Brett-Duncan Brett.
You may possibly remember my name
in connection with poor Fenton'a case. "
"Yes, Captain Brett" he said slowly.
II remember your name. Pray take
chair. This one, think, is passably
comfortable Will you have cigarette!
can recommend these. l import them
myself from Alexandria.
Mr.. Gates carefully closed up his
writing case and seated himself negli-
gently in an easy chair opposite me.
"And how is George bearing up?' he
went on. 1T is a terrible position for
him to be placed in That unlucky
speech of mine has caused me endless
regret. But how could ! know what
was 90 ng to occur?"
"Oh, quite so don't see that any
blame attaches to you, Mr.. Gates. In
the very worst case you only accelerated
events, as Georges arrest would inevita-
bly, have followed. He is bearing up as
we'll as we could expect, but, Of course,
he feels his position acutely, and at the
present moment things look very black
against him. Ihope that if you can help
us at all in the defense you will do 80. ="
"If can be of the slightest use, you
may be certain of my services" he re-
piled. "But am afraid l don't see in
what way | shall be able to assist you. I"
"Well, will tell you, Mr.. Gates.
You see we are firmly convinced OF
Georges innocence, but perhaps ought
first to tell you I am engaged to his sis
ter, which will account for the interest
am taking in the oase."
II believe I heard that" Gates re-
piled.
every we'll. We are, as was saying,
firmly convinced of our friends inno-
cence, although the facts look very
black. A few days ago should have
said the defense was hopeless, but since
the Identification of the murdered WON.
an as the Duke of Lundy's daughter
Of which, of course, you have heard-I
think there is glimmer Of daylight for
u.s."
"Well. Captain Brett, l am listen.
ing," said Gates, as made a pause.
"Iwill be absolutely frank with you,
Mr.. Gates" l continued, "for I think
you may be able to help us, since you
have travelled great deal and have con.
sequently rubbed up against innumer-
able people In all quarters Of the globe.
We are at present trying to trace Lady
Florence Mostyn's life from the day she
left her fathers house, and it has been
suggested that one individual in particu-
lar might shed light on her mysterious
disappearance, If we could only lind
him."
"And who may be be?"
"a certain Arthur Durant. Do you
happen to know him, sir?"
Mr.. Keighley Gates deftly elected
half dozen rings Of cigarette smoke
and then looked at me with curious
smile on his lips.
"Well, yes, 1 do," he replied. cat
one time knew him intimately, but l
have not seen him for the last two or
three years. Still | get an occasional
letter from him."
was overjoyed at this news. What
lucky inspiration it was that had
prompted me to look up Mr.. Gatesl
"Have you had letter recently?" l
inquired.
"The last one would be about-let
me see'-and Mr.. Gates pondered 1or
moment or two. "Yes, about four
months ago, as near as my memory
serves me-"
"And where was he them"
"He wrote from Denver, and said he
was just moving on to Salt Lake City
and from there he intended going to
Frisco"
"Then at this moment San Francisco
might be likely spot to make inquiries
n?"
Gates laughed.