Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-03-26
CHAPTER III.
THE MISSION.


AS I entered Hassan was setting
down a tray with several silver covers.
A table had been drawn near the fire,
spread with an embroidered damask
cloth, and two or three bottles of cham
payne stood on buffet close at hand.
Mr.. Smith received me with a smile,
and it was not until the little brown
man had gone that he referred to the
subject of the wardrobe.
Il knocked to inquire if you had all
you wanted" he said, "but getting no
answer, looked in, to find you away.
think no less of you for your desire
to acquire knowledge, though such
taste may not always be attended with
such innocuous results for the inquirer.
This is a peculiarly constructed old
house; but we have nothing to conceal
here, as you may imagine, otherwise
our precautions would be more rigid.
You were'-and a white line of teeth
flashed between the parted redness of
his lips-"looking after the wearer of
the little frock you disturbed in its
place, perhaps? 1t is pity we have
no ladies' society to offer you in this
house, for the owner of that gown was
once, for short time, a guest here,
she is far enough away now-far
enough away"
Though the words were simple there
was something notably sinister in the
tone, and raising my eyes from a glass
of Mr.. Smiths champagne to his face,
/ caught a twinkle under the black
lashes that contrasted so strikingly
with the snow of brows, hair, and
beard Afterwards 1 had occasion to
remember that look.
He kept me piled with wine, and
when I had refused to drink again,
set down his glass with a matter-of-
fact air.
"Now to business" he remarked. cit
is. at this moment, twenty minutes to
four o'clock. You guessed at the
meaning of the travelling clothes, per-
haps? If so, you will not be surprised
to hear that in precisely one hour my
private hanson, which you have al
ready honored, will be here to drive
you down to Euston station. You will
pe~snpplied with luggage-a large fit
ted bag, packed with everything which,
in moderation, you are likely to need
for week. OF this bag will now give
you the key. But the box, which also
accompanies you, is mere dummy,
weighted by the thoughtful Hassan
with stones. This is necessitated by
the tactics which I am going to ex-
plain, and which are in no way intri-
cate"
| continued to gaze at him with an
air of grave attention, and after
moments pause he went on:
AT Euston you will secure a ticket,
first-class, for Glasgow, and will take
the early train, for which I do. not
think you will have long to wait. Do
you know anything of the town."
II have been there several times"
answered, merely passing through, or
stopping for q night On the way some
where else"
l did not think it necessary to add
that this somewhere else" had in
variably been Lord Tesset's place,
where had more than once been in
vited in the autumn for the shooting.
There is doubtless, then, an hotel
which you prefer"
Il have stayed at the Elsinore."
Very well, go there. 1t is as we'll
to have drive from the station at
which you arrive, as you can then 90
an errand on the way. 1t will be an
advantage, too, that you should be
known. All! / see you don't agree
X Ty7--