Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-02-01
CHAPTER NV.
A TeIl-Tale Check

FROM the utterly unntereSted look
with Which my late fellow traveller ia
vored me, I felt pretty sure that he
was not aware we had crossed the
Channel together. nor did L affect to
take the slightest notice of him. I
Simply ordered breakfast for two, and
q valet for No. s, as requested. Then
became interested in timetables and
play-bills, wondering the while what
the stout man was trying to explain
to the hall porter. This latter func
tlonafy looked extremely DcrDleNed,
not to say distressed. but kept on
shaking his head as though resolved
that nothing should extract an affirma-
tive reply from him. His questionar,
with an impatient sllrug. went toward
the hotel office, as though to pursue his
inquiries there, but suddenly changed
MS mind turned upon his heel and
walked out into the street
Beg pardon, your honor" said the
nall-portef to me. in in apologize
tone. but as you're Il friend of the
captains. maybe you'll tell him there's
hllother OF them wanting to see him.
MY orders to say he's not here at all
teXceptln' to your honor and the law
yersl but this chap wouldn't take that
for an answer. He's as good as told
me was liar: but in the end he said
ned call again in the afternoon
Did he leave no name or mcssage?"
Never one. sir: except that his
business was very Important
VERY well.' l said. "I'll let Captain
ArneWood know. Meanwhile, YOU stick
to your orders"
trust me for that. sir" he rejoined.
grlmly. ''Shure. it's paid 1 am to tell
lies to order''
l was agreeably surprised to see
what an improving effect a careful toll
ct (or was it, really. the result of my
nrrivala had produced upon the Cap
taln,s appearance Weak. he certainly
was; indeed. he could scarcely walk
without help. But the hopeless, weary
unto-death look had given place co
something approaching animation. Cof-
fee and dry toast V ere all could per-
euade him to touch: and he nibblen
and slipped while 1 did ample justice 10
q tirst-rate breakfast. I kept up as
lively conversation as possible during
the meal. but when the things had
been cleared and we had our cigars
fairly under way. l deemed the oppor-
tunlty a good one to deliver the hall
porter's message. adding thereto very
careful description of the inquirer.
/ could not refrain from a deep
drawn sigh of relief. Suddenly and
pointedly as l had sprung the very
marked peculiarties of the man upon
the Captain. he evinced not the faint
est sign of recognizing him.
II haven't the least idea who the fell
low can be- he remarked, carclessly;
'but may tell you that ever since the
news Of my succession to Arnewco1
has become known, relatives to tlle
tenth degree and hangeis-on of The
family Of all sorts are las understand
hunting for me everywhere. Hence,
my orders to the hotel people are u
deny all knowledge of my where
aboutS.'
This was as plain and satisfactory rs
any statement could we'll be, but it
naturally intensified my desire to find
out the identity of the stranger and tlH
name of his employer. And l think
my heart beat little faster than usll-
al When reflected that if l could but
satisfactorily ferret out either Of thess,
secrets. the key to the solution of the
great Arnewood Mystery would b" in
my hands
Il should very much like you TO sce
the man. / rejoined. ''eyen though Toil
do not recognize him form my descrip-
ton. 1t may be you would remember
having seen him at some time or 9th
er, ard I may as well tell You that |
attach the utmost Importance to fiEd-
ing out who he is
4.In connection with the murder?
yes assented. II have reason tc
believe he could throw some light on 1t
If he chose"
Then you must yourself know some
thing of the fellow" he urged. eager,
sly. You have. at all events, seen HIM
before?''
He answers very exactly to the de-
scription of an individual who inquired
for you at your London club, and who
certainly Travelled by the mail last
night from Euston. More than this,
GcarceIy feel justified in saying at pres
ant, because / have. after all, nothing
but description to go upon. and
might be quite wrong in my con1ec-
3nxes. !"