Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-02-01
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
HOW WE SUCCEEDED IN OUR ENTERPRISE.
On arrival at Singapore we took rick
shaws and drove direct from the wharf
to the Mandalay hotel, palatial white
building of two stories, boasting vivid
green shutters ON every window and
broad, luxurious verandas on every floor.
I was the first to reach it, and, remem-
bering my position of casual acquaint-
ance, booked room for myself, leav-
ing Miss Sanderson and her companion
to follow my example when they should
arrive.
1t was then late in the afternoon, and
by the time we had thoroughly settled
in night had fallen and the preliminary
dressing gong had sounded for dinner.
So far bad seen nothing Of the person
of whom we were in search. but l did
not doubt that at the evening meal l
should become acquainted with bis
whereabouts, even if l did not actually
meet the man himself.
The dining room at the Mandalay is
at the rear of the hotel and looks out
upon a charmingly arranged garden
Immediately upon my entering it a
waiter came forward and conducted me
to my place at table near the window.
On my left was seated portly, red
faced gentleman, who, l discovered
later, was an English merchant OF con-
siderable standing in the place. The
chair on my right was vacant, but be-
fore we had dismissed the first course it
was taken by a man who, my instinct
told me, was none other than Mr.. Eb-
bington himself Why should have
come to this conclusion I cannot ex-
plain, but that I did think so and that
I was right in so thinking | discovered
q minute or two later, when question
was addressed to him by all acquaint-
ance on the other side of the table. !
continued the course without betraylng
my excitement, and when my plate was
removed sat back and casually took
stock Of him.
From Allies account and some kind
Of preconceived notion as to what sort
of appearance such a dastardly traitor
should present l had expected to see a
small, shifty eyed, villainous type OF
man, wearing on his face some token OF
his guilt. But in place of that discov-
cred q stout, we'll set up not unhand-
some man about 40 years of age. His
complexion was somewhat florid; his
eyes were of an uncertain hue, between
gray and steely blue; be had a pro-
nounced nose and heavy, almost dou-
BILE chin. Indeed, had it not been for his
hesitating mode of speech should have
been inclined to put him down for a
military man.
During the progress of the meal !
found an opportunity of doing him some
small service, and on this meager intro.
duction we fell into a desultory conver-
sation, which embraced Singapore, the
latest news from England and the pros
poets of a war between China and
Japan. When dinner was over, l rose
and followed him into the veranda, Of
fered him cheroot, which he accepted,
and seated myself in a lounge chair be-
side him. We had not been smoking
five minutes before my sweetheart and
her companion passed close to where we
sat, en- route to their rooms. AS she
came opposite to me Allie stopped.
"Good evening, Dr. De Normanville, y
she said. "Isn't this hotel delightful?'
rose and uttered an appropriate re-
ply. at the same time noticing that Eb'
bington was taking thorough stock Of
her. Then after another commonplace
or two she bowed and passed on bel
way l resumed my seat, and for nearly
q minute we smoked in silence. Then
my companion, who had evidently been
carefully thinking his speech out, said
with that peculiarly diffident utterance
which, as I have said, was habitual tc
him:
you'll excuse what am going tc
say, hope, but a friend and l were
having little discussion before dinner.
The proprietor tells me Miss Sanderson,
the American heiress, is staying IN the
house. | do not wish tn be impertinent
but might l ask if the lady to whom
you have just been speaking is Mis-!
Sanderson?"
"Yes, she is Miss Sanderson, re-
piled. "You do not know her, then?'
Never saw her before in my life, y
was his reply "Pieces of good fortune
like that don't often occur in Singa
pore If they did, few of us would be
here very long, can assure you. But
perhaps l am talking in too familiar
strain about your friend? If so, you
must forgive me-.
Indeed, nor l answered. Don 7
trouble yourself on that score. l trav
eled up with them from Batavia in the
French boat that arrived this afternoon
From what little have seen of her sht
seems very pleasant and, as you have
observed, is evidently inclined to b'
friendly"