The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-12-06

u = ENNEDY sat thinking. with his
dne forehead wrinkled and his
~ fingers playing with his long.
fair mustache.
You have given yourself away. Bur
ger" said he ~ last. Your words can
only applyt one thing. You have dis
covered a new catacOmb.'
quite SO. There is no mystery about
that. I have discovered a new cata-
comb"
Where"
All, that is my secret, my dear Ken
nedy Suffice 1t that it is so situated
that there is not one chance in a mil
lion OF any one else coming upon it
Its date is different from that OF any
known cataconb, and it has been re-
served for the burial Of the highest
Christians. so that the remains and the
relics are quite different from anything
which has ever been seen before"
Kennedy loved his subject with
love which was almost a mania-a
love which held him true to it amidst
all the distractions which come to
wealthy and dissipated young man.
Look here. Burger" said he earnest
~ Il assure you that you can trust me
most implicitly in the matter"
Burger smiled thoughtfully over his
cigar.
Il have noticed, friend Kennedy"
said he. that when I want informa-
tion over any point you are not al
ways so ready TO supply it
What you are driving at I cannot
imagine" said the Englishman: but
II you mean that you will answer my
question about the catacOmb if I an
uvrrr
70 me, ] assure you that 1 will GER
tainly DO So"
We'll. then" said Burger. leaning
luxuriously back in his settee and puff
fng q blue tree Of cigar smoke into
the air, tell me all about your rela-
tions with Miss Mary Saunderson."
Kennedy sprang up in his chair and
glared angrily at his impressive COM
panion.
What the devil do you mean7" he
cried. What sort OF a question is this?
You may mean it as a joke. but you
never made a worse one"
NO. don't mean il as a joke" said
Burger. simply. Il am really rather
interested IN the details Of the matter
I don't know much about the world
and women and social life and that
sort OF thing, and such an incident
has the fascination Of the unknown for
me. I know you and know her by
sight had even spoken to her once
or twice ] should very much like to
hear from your own lips exactly what
IL was which occurred between you"
Il won't tell you a word"
That's ell right. II WAS only my
within 20 see II you would give UP q Sc
cret az easily as you expected me to
give up my secret OF the new cata-
comb. You wouldn't. and I didn't ex-
pect you TO. But why should you ex-
pect otherwise Of me? There's st.
Johns clock striking ten. It is quite
time was going home"
No; wait a bit, Burger" said Ken
nedy; this is really a ridiculous ca
price Of yours TO wish to know about
an old love affair which has burned out
months ago. You know we look upon
q man who kisses and tells as the
greatest coward and villain possible"
Certainly" said the German. gath
ering up his basket of curiosities.
when he tells anything about a girl
which IS previously unknown he must
be so. But in this case. as you must
be aware, II was a public matter.
Rome. so that you are not really doing
Miss Mary Saunderson any injury by
discussing her case with me. But still
! respect your scruples. and so good
night"
wait BIT, Burger" said Kennedy.
laying his hand upon the others arm.
i am very keen upon this catacomb
business, and can't let it drop so
easily. Would you mind asking me
something else in return-something
not quite so eccentric this timer"
''No, no. You have refused. and there
IS an end OF it," said Burger. with his
basket on his arm. mo doubt you
are quite right also. and so again. my
dear Kennedy, goodnight"
The EnzliShmsn watched Burger
cross the room, and ne had his hand
on the handle Of the door before his
host spranF uD with the air OF a man
who is making the best OF that which
cannot be helped
Hold on, old fellow. said he. II
think you are behaving in a most ridic-
ulous fashion; but still II this is your
condition suppose that i must sub
NIT TO it, hate saying anything about
a girl but. as you say. IT is all over
Rome, and I don't suppose I can ten
YOU anything which you do not know
already. What was it you wanted to
known"
The German came back TO the stove.
and, laying down his basket. he sank
into HIS chair once more.
May have another cigar?" said he
Thank you very much. ] never smoke
when ] work. but ] enjoy a chat much
more when ] am under the influence
OF tobacco. Now, as regards this young
lady with whom you had this little adj
venture. What n the world has be-
come OF her?''
"she is at home in England with her
own people"
What part Of England London2'