The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-04-10

| direction or the supper rOOm, IOr tue
hotel does nothing by halves.
1t is no longer utterly dark. The
remnant of a February moon has
crept up over the horizon, and lends
penciling Of silver to the Egyptian
landscape. 1t is very romantic, for
the moonlight CLEANS from many a
dome-like mosque and towering min
aret.
Mynheer Joe, after noting the fact
that they are quite alone, turns to his
| companion and makes a remark that
has a peculiar ring:
This is as good q time and place
| for explanations, Mr.. Grimes, as we
can find"
The silver king looks at his compan-
ion and breathes out rings of smoke.
Explanations? My dear fellow, to
! what do you refer?" he asks, but the
expression on his face proclaims that
he at least suspects.
| There is no need of concealment
between us, Mr.. Grimes. You may de-
ceive these good people at the hotel,
but have heard of you, sir"
"Ohw mutters the individual ad-
dressed.
YES" Mynheer Joe goes on quickly.
as though his mind is made up; you
pass as a silver king at Cairo. Across
the water, Mr.. Grimes, you are known
as one of the shrewdest detectives in
| the country"
He pauses again as If % let this shot
20 home. Both puff away at their
cigars, as though the action may clear
their brains. 1t is the explorer who
breaks the silence.
You don't deny the soft impeach.
ment, Mr.. Grimes" he says, with a
query in his voice.
II have no reason to, with you, sir,
although l should not like this subject
to become common property" replies
| the stout man, in q singularly cool
tone.
perhaps can even guess the object
of your visit to Egypt in this year OF
eighty-fve."
make try at il, now"
"You are searching for certain in
dividual by name, Joseph Miner"
"Bulrs-eye, first shot," laughs Mr..
Grimes. Come, now, how in the
deuce did you know all this?"
II have been looking for a visitor
from across the water. Something
told me I should find him in Cairo.
Your especial interest in me caused
me to be doubly watchful. I remem-
ber your name through some peculiar
incident that happened when last l
saw New York, and as result l un-
masked the silver king"
While he thus speaks Mynheer Joe
shows no sign Of uneasi1ess. He has
not the manner Of a man who has any
thing to fear when he finds an officer
of the law following aim. One who
has embezzled q great sum OF money
might show signs Of alarm, but this
man evidently has no such burden
upon his mind. 1t is with far differ
ent object in view Mr.. Grimes has
sought him; that is evident. The
pseudo silver king watches him from
the corners of his eyes. Now that his
journey in the burning land of Egypt
has reached it's fruition he begins to
entertain doubts as to it's ultimate
success. Mynheer Joe Is undoubtedly
man with a determined character,
not easily Influenced. Can he offer
any inducements whereby the traveller
may change his plans and revoke
VOW made in the past? Whatever Sc
cret he carries with him, Mr.. Grimes
hopes it may prove effective.
There is little use, then, in my eX-
planning why I am over here" he says,
laconically.
1.-The same old story-to patch up
peace between Colonel Carringford,
my uncle, and myself. understand.
It means much to him that this thing
is done, but, although I trust l don't
harbor malice, l never want to see his
face again.
Nor will you, sir" says the other,
quietly.
"Ah! Then the colonel is dead?"
Just so. He succumbed to his en-.
emy at last"
Peace be to his ashes! I've no
doubt he kept his word and disinher-
tied me?' with peculiar infection OF
the voice, as though the subject natur-
ally has some interest for him.
"No-and yes"
Come, that's a singular answer,
Mr.. Grimes"
1T is on that account I am over
here. Perhaps you remember Jack
Austin?'
lone Of my best friends in the Qua
| ker City,