Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-11-27

telephone TO the erect that the ma II
aging director of the Santa Cruz Min
ing company, whom | had seen that
morning, was on his way to call upon
me.
something has evidently come to
light" | reflected. "Perhaps the
mystery surrounding Mr.. Edward
Baylcy is about to be cleared up, for
l must confess ] do not like the look
of it,"
A quarter of an hour later the
manager was ushered into my pres
ence.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Fairfax" he
said. 81 have come to ask you, If
you will permit me, few questions,
and also to tell you that | think we
have discovered who it is that is mas
querading as the occupant OF my
position. You gave me this morning
a rough description of the individual
who called upon you. Can you recall
anything particular about his APP
pearance? Any strange mark, for in
stance. Anything by which we
should be able to swear to his iden-
tity?"
81 would swear to his identity any
where. without a mark" | replied.
but since you do mention it, | re-
member that he had a small tri-
angular scar upon his left cheek"
"Then it is the same man after ALL"
said the manager. THAT is certain
ly extraordinary. When our secre-
tary spoke to me about him after
you had left l had my doubts; now,
however, they are quite removed
Why he should have called upon you
in such a guise is question can.
not for the life of me answer with
any sort Of satisfaction"
perhaps you will be a little more
explicit" | said. "Iou have not told
me yet how it is that you have been
able to locate the gentleman in ques.
ton. This morning you must re-
member you had no sort of rcmcm.
brance of him"
I'm that case YOU must forgive me-"
he replied. las matter of fact
was so much carried away by my ex-
element that | could think Of moth
ing else. However, l have promised
you the story, and YOU shall have it.
Some years ago, eight or ten per-
haps, we had a young man working
for us in the Argentine a an over
seer. He was in many respects a
brilliant young fellow, and would
doubtless have done well for himself
in time, had he been able to go
straight. Unfortunately, however,
he did not do so. He went from bad
to worse. At last he was caught in
a fragrant piece of dishonesty, and
was immediately discharged. When
I tell you that that young man had
n mark such as you described upon
his cheek, you may he able to derive
some idea Of what follows"
Might il not be a pure coinci-
dence?" I replied.
Not in this case, I fancy" he an
swered. "What makes me the more
inclined to believe that it is the same
individual, is the fact that our Sec
rotary met him in Leadcnhall street
only few days ago. lie looked old
er, but had evidently prospcrcd in
the world. AS matter of fact,
Warner described him as being ir-
eproachably dressed and turned
out. I trust his good fortune was
honestly come by; but | must own,
from what I know of him, that
have my doubts"
But what possible reason could
this individual have for calling upon
me, and why should he have made
me such an offer as | have described
TO you?"
The. director shook his head. The
question was evidently beyond him.
II can assign no sort of reason for
it." he said, "unlcss lie has some hope
of being able 10 get you out Of Eng
land for time"
Il don't see how that could benefit
him." I replied. 81 am connected
with no case in which he has any
sort of interest"
you never can tell" the old gen
tleman replied. From what | know
of him, Gideon Haylc was always
"Gideon what?" ! cried. springine
70 my feet. did | understand yor
to say Gideon Hayle?"
That's the name of the young mar
Of whom | have been speaking tc
you" he replied. But what make.
you so excited"
because I can understand every
thing now" declared "Gooc
heavens! What an idiot I have beer
not to have seen the connection be