The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-01-19

II hope You will pardon me-" he said
II have not the pleasure of knowing
you, but-but" he seemed ex,
tremcly ncrvous-"I think l ourht te
tell you what I've seen. You will par
don the liberty"
Certainly"
'Then I'm afraid 1t will seem an nb.
you any enemies"
! | started and looked him suuarely in
the eyes, but he withstocd the scrutiny
without the flicker of lid.
! Excuse me-" l said, now thoroughly
on my guard, but you must surely
recognize the incongruity of address
ing such question to stranger"
II do" he replied.
"Then why do you ask"
because have just seen sometime,
! which-which, to say the least Of it,
+ singular. Do you remember the II
/ with the beard who a minute ago ap
oGiZed for treading on your foot?"
"rcrfcctly"
"Well, l saw him. while your back
was turned, drop something into your
tumbler."
Good heavens"
1nvOluntarily the exclamation cscno-
ed ME. A convulsive SILVER swept me
from head to foot The Young man,
watching iNtentiy, must have seen my
face banch, for he added hastily:
Il hope haven't frightened you. but
] thought it looked suspicious and that
had better speak"
Thanks, thousand tmps.' / said.
Il have enemies. 1t was good of you
to speak" l seized his hand and Shook
it warmly, scarcely noticing the limp
fingers which returned no answering
pressure
ooh, don't mention it." he replied.
Then he added in another key, IF |
were you. I'd chuck that stuff away"
l took up the glass ard looked at It.
but could distinguish nothing which
would lead me to suppose that it had
been tempered with. smelIcd it, with
a like result Then l became curious
to know of what this drug consisted of
which / could detect no sign.
II think shall preserve it as a piece
Of evidence" | answered. IL can de.
tect nothing suspicious in It,"
"Lot me try" said he, and as hand
cd him tie glass | turned to tho pale
faced girl behind the Lar and asked
her for bottle of some description.
The young fellow was still peering
Into the glass when once more looked
his way, and presently he held 1t out,
with n shake Of the head
81 also am at a loss to detect any
thing the least bit suspicious. 1t is
very curious"
AS he spoke he handed the glass
back. but somewhat carclessly, for az
my fingers touched it he let 20, with
the result that the thing fell crashing
to the floor.
'Oh, n thousand pardonsw he cried.
"Whose fault was it-mine or yours:"
l admitted with some cllagrin that
we were both at fault, but the unforc-
seen had happened. the evidence was
destroyed. and there was nothing more
to be said about it. Nevertheless |
was extremely annoyed ard in my
heart | ccnsured him greatly for his
Carelessness; but as nothing further
could be said OIL the subject, thanked
him once more, badc him good night
snd moved off.
looked vainly for the gentleman
with the beard, though I had little
hope Of discovering him. Indeed. but
for his stumbling over my foot doubt
If | should have noticed him at all.
Having completed his work. lie had
made good his escape. Perhaps from
some vantage ground he might still be
watching me, watching the effect Of
his work; but, if SO, l saw nothing Of
him. However, thought it highly
probable that he had put some distance
between him and the thcater.
Presently beheld my uncle advanc-
ing toward me through the crowd, and
as he came up he smlingly asked il
thought he had been lost.
THAT chap Cockerton," he explained.
referring to the stockbroker, would
insist upon dragging me round to see
the manager A little spec he has on;
wants me to join. But no, thanks!
Very good but not good enough for ME.
| know Cockcrton. and once on a time
used to know theatrical gentlemen"
And he favored me with profoundly
knowing smile, a smile always ASSOC
ciated with the city, and cleverness
which did not appeal to me. once
saw Jew tinancier tap his nose and
look in a similar manner, and thought
Immediately of fat pork. 1t Is curious,
when one comes to think of it, how the
sight Of fat, middle aged Jew will
conjure up pictures of pig.
But. evidently seeing the agitation in
my face, the smile faded from his. and,
advancing closer, he whispered, "Why,
Davie. what's the matter"
1--WE had squeak
"What, here? Good heavens! How"
In as few words as possible | told
him. His face grew drawn and bag
gard as he listened, and when l had
finished he clutched me by the arm and
drew me to him.
TO Pc CONTINUED
TRIED FIVE LocIORs.