Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-11-27
Ny StrangeSt Case
SY Guy BOOTHBY.
Author Of "Dr. KikoIa," al The Beautiful
White Devil" Pharos, The
Egyptian" Etc.
CHAPTER V.
copyrighted, 1901. by Ward. Lock q Col

/ had made behind St. Martins
church, and which | described at the
end of the previous chapter, had
proved too much for me. What pos
8 BILE reason could Mr.. Bayley have
for wanting TO rid himself of me?
Only the morning before he had been
anxious to secure my services in the
interests of his company, and now
here he was hiring couple of ruff
fms to prevent me from doing my
work. If not to take my life. When
reached my hotel again. and went
10 bed, ! lay awake half the night
endcavoring to arrive at an UNDER
standing of it; but. try how l would,
could not hit upon a satisfactory
solution. Upon one thing, however,
had quite made up my mind. AS
-oon as The city offices were open, ]
would call at that of the Santa Cruz
SHINING company, and put few ques-
ions to MIR. Bayley which l fancied
that individual would find difficult
and rather unpleasant to answer.
rhis plan ! carried out. and at ten
o'clock / stood in the handsome
outer Office of the company.
81 should be glad to see the man
AGING director, if he could spare me
q few moments" ! said to the youth
Who waited upon ME in answer to
h', question.
Hes engaged sir, at present." the
lad replied. "If you will take seat
however, don't fancy he will be very
long"
l. l..
-"-yal amused myself by studying a
large map of the Argentine Repub-
lc which hung upon the wall. | mad
practically exhausted its liabilities
when the door opened. and a tall,
Tu''itary-looking man emerged and
passed out into the street.
What name shall l suy, sir?" in
c':ired the clerk, as he descended
from his high stool and approached
me.
Fairfax" I replied, giving him nv
card. II think the manager Will
know my name"
The clerk disappeared to return a
fow moments later with the request
tnat I would follow him. Preparing.
nyoelf for what l fully expected
would be scene, I entered the di-
r'ctors sanctum. 1t was hand
some room, and was evidently used
as board-room as well as an office,
tor there was a long table in the
middle, surrounded by at least a
Gozcn chairs. At the furthest end
gentleman Of venerable appearance
was seated. He rose as l entered,
and bowed to me.
''In what way can I be of service
80 you, Mr.. Fairfax" he inquired,
after l had seated myself.
Il am afraid there has been mis-
tuke," l answered, looking about me
for Mr.. Bayley. 81 told the clerk
that I desired to see the managing
director"
You are seeing him." he returned
with smile, 'for ] am he"
in that case ! must have misun-
ders;ood the gentleman who called
upon me two days ago." I replied,
with some surprise.
DO l understand Won 10 saw that
gentleman from this Office called
upon you?"
Yes, q Mr.. Bay ley, tall, good
looking man, of between So and 40
years of age"
The old gentleman stared, as well
he might.
Put there is no Mr.. Bavlev here"
he said 1--WE have no one of that
name in our employ. fear the man,
whoever he was, must have been
playing a trick upon you. l sincere
~ trust he has done no damage.
Might I ask what he ca He'd upon you
about?"
"le called on me on behalf Of your
company" I answered. He informed
me that for some time past you have
ascerl aimed the gravest suspicious
concerning the manager of your
mines in the Argentine II said that
Information had reached your ears
TO the effect that the man in ques-
lion was in league with a notorious
swindler in New York, and, though
YOU could not bring any proved
charge against him, you were equal
~ certain that he was robbinC you
in order to FIJI his own pockets. He
appeared to be most anxious to per
SIade me TO go to the republic at
once in order that I might inquire
INTO matters and report to you.
was to be away three months, and
was to he paid & 5000 and my ex-
penses for my trouble"
My good sir, this is really pre-
pusterous," the old gentleman re-
turned IT can positively assure you
mat there Is not word of truth IN
his assertion. Our manager in the
argentine is an old and valued
friend, and l would stake my life or
his fidelity. Nothing would induce
us to think even of sending a detec
i've ont to spy upon him"
II am beginning 10 believe that
should like 10 meet Mr.. Bayley
AGAIN." | remarked "He has fnt
imagination. and, from what you tel
lne. il seems that | should hsv,
looked fool had j gone out tC
South America on such an errand.
at would have been exceedingly
ir"onvenient not only for you, bu
also for u.s." said the manager. :"
s.aIl report this matter at the boart
meeting to-day. We must endeavo
TO discover who this man is, and ais,