Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-09-23

A few moments later Mr.. Portman,
Ian entire stranger TO me, was ushered
Hnto my room. He came forward
gman OF large build, some 40 years of
Rge. with a slight stOop-and, fixing a
pair of dreamy, dark eyes upon me, he
bnquired, in low, earnest tone:
Mr.. Cecil Lawrence, believe"
eyes. Be seated a moment, will
your 1 replied. indicating a chair.
He accepted the offer silently, and
waited my leisure, his eyes fixed upon
the cracking logs in the CRATE, and his
chin resting upon his hands
''What can 1 de for you, Mr.-Mr.
Portrnan?'' asked, presently, putting
down my pen and turning round upon
any visitor.
~You are Mr.. CecA Lawrence, the
author, are you not?" he returned.
"Yes."
'The author of "A Romance in Blue
bye'?"
"Yes"
do you mind telling me how you
fcame by the plot for that story?" he
said, his dreamy eyes lighting up for
an instant.
"Pm afraid cannot give you any in
formation upon that matter" replied.
s.Authcrs do not generally communi-
cate their methods of work and thought
10 strangers, and my time is at present
so much occupied that, unless you real
ay have some important business with
me, really"
81 have important business with
you'll" he exclaimed, almost angrily.
@sDo you fancy that have come down
~ 4 81
anere slip of an author his methods Of
work? ?"
"From Lancashire?" I said, in sur
prise. Indeed, no; no sane man would.
but please state your business"
'Will you answer my question:" he
cried. rising impatiently and folding
his hands behind his back. How did
you come by the facts in your story?''
--Since you attach such undue inn
portance 10 the matter replied cold
Nv. 81 can only say that owe some of
the plot Of my Romance in Blue Dye
to a newspaper paragraph CHANGED
upon some IS months ago."
Can you show me this paragraph p
REALLY, unless you can tell me In
swhat way this matter is of so much
importance TO you. fear must de-
cline to continue this interview, for,
as have already told you, 1 am exceed
angly busy"
He looked at me steadily for mo-
ment in silence, and the light came
anto his eyes again.
my name is Portman-John Port.
man, of Portman & Stayle, Dyers and
Cleaners, Rochdsle," he said in a pc
sculiar tone ] could not understand
-'Do you understand"
mo. / may be very dense, but
don't understand in what way the
statement of your identity proves the
Importance of your visit" responded
becoming annoyed with him, his man
Iners and his tone
"You don't, eh?" he blurted out
swell, Stayle, my late partner, was thu
IMAM who was found in the vat of dye
You are picturesque liar, you know!
i started-not at the fellows insult
but at the germ of an idea that wa
dawning upon me. This man, then
was the actual being whom had ere
ated, as ! thought, In the person o
James Saxon, the murderer of his part
ner. / fully understood now how
greatly this man, whose actual exist
lence had never suspected, must hav'
been annoyed by my book; for, doubt
less, persons Yho had read it and knew
of the manner in which my visitor
unfortunate partner had met his dealt
had commented upon the matter un
pleasantly to my visitor.
do you understand me now?" m.
visitor demanded, seeing / was not pre-
Dared TO say nything about his pre-
vious speech. @ Us y Ss y
E"Yes, I fear So" replied, with
siclly smile. "But. If you have com
here with the intention of bullying ms
you made an error in the address. NJ
solicitors, Messrs. Wright & Wrigh
Ely Place, are the people to call upon.
He looked at me and frowned. The
be crossed the room. locked the doc
and put the key in his pocket.
what the deuce do you mean?"
cried, starting up Indignantly. 40
are presuming unpardonably! ReplaS
the key and unlock the door!" And
went over to him as spoke.
Gently, gently, my good sir" /
said. s'I am not nearly satisfied wit
our chat yet. Look at this, and S
down quietly"
-'This," which he held in my fac
was a-revolver. Was 1 at the mercy
y mailman?
-'You are at the wrong end Of it, "
know, so sit down and be civil"
Ishrugged my shoulders and return
TO my chair, having the unpieasa
sensation that he was covering" 4
ALI the time.
When 1 had seated myself he car
and sat down at the other side OF \
table, laid his revolver in front of hi
land began to bite his nails. Iwaited
pleasure silently, wondering what
could do best.
ats like this!" he said, so sudden
shat he startled me out of my though
issy had a parfnar That mariner o.,