The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-02-10

imp
Gates laughed.
ut certainly might he, but IL 70,
knew Arthur Durant yea would know
the utter impossi bil;ay Of following hi
movements by any kpswn or unknown
method. As be mentioned Frisco,
should think New York or Florida I
likely spot to find him in"
This news considerably depressed me.
So much seemed to depend upon thil
man, and yet from Gates account il
was apparently hopeless to expect that
be could be found III time.
"What would you advise us to do,
Mr.. Gates?''
make inquiries by all means in Salt
Lake City and Frisco, but don't build
any hopes in that direction. I ought to
have letter from him soon, and that
will put us on his track at once. think
| have his last epistle by me still. If go,
the address will be useful. I'll look for
it now"
Gates unlocked drawer and looked
through some letters filed with extreme
care.
"I'm afraid I destroyed it," he said,
at length. ~ now remember what I
kept it for, and as soon as the purpose
was fulfilled burned it. never keep
old letters; it would not fit in with my
wandering ]ife''
This was disheartening. However, I
determined to find out something about
the man wanted.
"You say you knew him intimately,
Mr.. Gates?'
eyes, I did-that is, if living for
three months on end with him gives me
the right to do SO. I first met Arthur
Durant in the Allegheny mountains in
North Carolina. He had gone up there
to inspect some mica mines, and I was
there to look at some gem deposits. We
both foregathered at a little three
roomed wooden house, which was more
drinking shanty than hotel, and as the
mica and gems were in adjacent strata
we did much Of our work together. It
was longish job, because the stuff we
were after was undoubtedly there, and
what we had to decide was whether the
quantities would pay for working, and
so three months Of daily intercourse
had passed before we could arrive at
our decision. You can get to know
man very we'll in that time.
"Then I saw nothing of him until
ran up against him in the Strand about
three years ago. He seemed to be in
clover at that time. He told me be had
made his pile and was then engaged in
spending it. He had just taken hunt
ing box in sporting county, and he
asked me to stay with him. I intended
doing so, but never found the time. I
saw him again after he had given it up.
He talked Of travelling, but had no
definite plans. Then / heard from him
IL Matabeleland and South Africa gen.
orally. He writes to me three or four
lines in the twelvemonth, and the last
etter had from him was, as I said,
rom Denver, about four months ago."
"When he was in the country, Mr..
Gates, he paid marked attentions to
lady Florence Mostyn, and, I believe,
sked the Duke Of Lundy for his daugh-
er's hand. The duke refused it, and
Don sfterward Lady Florence disap.
reared. From your knowledge of the
nan, do you think 1t probable that Du-
ant was concerned in that? Do you
hink he persuaded the lady to run away
With him, liz fact?"
Mr.. Gates lay back in his chair and
effected few minutes before replying.
hen be said slowly:
1T ISIS difficult thing to be certain Of
ny mans conduct where woman ia
oncerned, Captain Brett. have known
len who had always been the very soul |
honor throw up all their traditions
nd come cropper when the pettiooat
ppeared. wouldn't stake my life OH
ny mans line Of action then, but my
nm belief is that IL Durant could not
ave got the lady straight and above.
GARD he would have left her. He is not
,e man to do anything dirty or UNDER
and. No, SIR" and Gates rose and
ood over me, looking me straight in
10 face. "no, sir. Arthur Durant is
OF man of that sort. He is straight as
die, and I would trust him as trust
yself."
"He certainly has very good friend
you, Mr.. Gates" / remarked, for
ates' defense Of his absent friend had
surprised me. had certainly
IT given him credit Of being capable Of
much chivalrous feeling for anybody.
Gates did not reply, but went on:
"And Durant could hardly be the
an you want, since he left the country
soon after the lady's disappearance.
Q must have been an ardent lover,
hoover persuaded her to take the step,
d would scarcely have tired of her so
on"
"There 10 certainly something in
at" I remarked.
But there would be no harm done IN
ring to find where Dursnt H." con-
lued Mr.. Gates. II have friends both
Salt Lake City and in Frisco, and
n either write to them to make in
iries or give you letters of introduc.
N to them if you prefer to do so your
f."
'You are extremely kind" replied,
nd cannot thank you enough for
ur offer and the information you have
zen me. If you would be good enough
write to your friends yourself on the
liter, Isball DO much indebted to you.
imply want to be put in communioa.
n with Mr.. Durant."
4 understand perfectly" said Mr..
tes, land I will write by the next
IL and ask for . cable ii Durant 10
md" II
Al Is T.