Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-03-04
the house in search of the gentleman

friends, however, deeming it possible
that their chance of appreciating my
liberality depended upon his condi-
ton being such as he could answer
questions with some sort of intelli-
gence, proceeded to shake and pum-
mel him into something approaching
sobriety. In one of his lucid inter-
walls inquired whether he felt equal
to telling me in what direction the
gentleman who had given him the
shilling had ordered the cabman to
drive him. He turned the question
over and over in his mind, and then
arrived at the conclusion that it was
some hotel close to Waterloo"
This was certainly vague, but it
encouraged me to persevere.
think again." I said; che must
/ have given you some definite address,"
Nov l do remember" said the
man, sit seems to me it was Fox
wells hotel, Waterloo Road. That's
where it was, Foxwell's hotel. Don't
you know it?
"'Foxwell's Hotel is a merry. merry place.
When the jolly booze is howin', flowin'
Free
Now chorus, gen'men."
Having heard all I wanted to,
gave the poor wretches what had
| promised them, and went in search
of cab. AS good luck would have
| it l was able to discover one in the
City Road, and in it drove off in the
direction of Waterloo. If Hayle were
really going to stay the night at
Foxwell's hotel, then my labors had
| not been in vain, after all. But T
had seen too much of that gentle
mans character of late to put any
trust in his statements, until I had
| verified them to my own satisfaction.
| I was not acquainted with Foxwell's
hotel, but after some little search I
discovered it. 1t was by no means
the sort of place man of Hayle's
wealth would be likely to patronize,
but remembering that he had par
ticular reasons for not being en- evil
dence just at present, could UNDER
stand his reasons for choosing such
a 7hostelry. accordingly paid off
my cabman and entered the bar.
Taking the young lady found there
| a little on one side, inquired wheth-
er gentleman had arrived within
the last half-hour, carrying bag
and heavy traveling-rug.
Much to my qualification she re-
piled that such gentleman had GER
tainly arrived within the past half
hour, and was now at supper in the
coffee-room. She inquired whether I
would care to see him. replied in
the negative, stating that I would
call next day and make myself
known to him.
''We are old friends" I said, "and
for that reason I should be glad if
| you would promise me that you will
say nothing to him about my coming
tonight"
Woman-like the idea pleased her,
and she willingly gave the promise
asked.
"If you want to see him you'd bet
ter be here early" she said. "He
told me when he booked his room
that he should be wanting to get
away at about ten o'clock to-mor-
| row morning"
"I'll be here well before that" I
replied. IF all goes right, shall
call upon him between eight and nine
o'cock."
| Feeling sure that, after what 1 had
said to her, she would say nothing
to Hayle about my visit. returned
to my own hotel and retired to rest.
Next morning I was up betimes,
had breakfasted, and was at Fox
wells hotel before eight o'clock had
struck. I proceeded straight to the
bar, where discovered my ac-
quaintance Of the previous evening,
IN curl papers, assiduously busting
| shelves and counter. There was a
| fragrance of the last nights pota-
lions still lowering about the place,
which had the dreary, tawdry ap-
pearance that was so different to the
glamour of the previous night. I
bade the girl good morning, and then
inquired whether she had seen any.
thing Of my friend. At first she did
not appear to recognize me, but on
doing SO she volunteered to go off
and make inquiries. She did SO, to
return a few moments later with
the information that the gentleman
"had rung for his boots, and would
be down to breakfast in few min.
utes.n
ST wonder what you will have to
say for yourself when you see me,
Mr.. Hayle," muttered. "You will
find that am not to be SO easily
shaken off as you imagine"
accordingly made my way to the
dining-room, and seating myself at
. table ordered cup of coffee and
an egg. The London egg is not a
favorite of mine, but l was prepared
to eat dozen Of them If necessary,
II by SO doing could remain in the
room long enough to find myself
face to face with Gideon Hayle. Sew
eral people put in an appearance and
commenced their morning repast,
but when quarter of an hour had
elapsed and the man I wanted had
not presented himself, my patience
became exhausted and I went in
search of my hourie Of the bar.
my friends long time coming
down. said. 81 hope he has not
gone out to breakfast2''
You must be mistaken" she an
swered. II saw him come down
y