Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-03-17
4 A\AhANA\kj>ANhANANANANA/\A
Observation-Disclosures
"A RARTIN FINCH, keeper of the
" Blue Dragon inn, sat by the
cheerful fire in his office feel

ing pleasant sense OF
warmth and comfort steal over him as
he listened to the whistling of the win
ter winds without. Every few minutes
he would lower the paper which he was
reading and take sip of some steam
ing beverage from a mug on table
within easy reach.
The past summer had been a pros
porous season for the Blue Dragon
The substantial remuneration which
the summers labors had brought justi
fed the worthy landlord in his deter
mination TO devote the dull season to
rest and enjoyment.
There were but two guests staying at
the inn now, and they gave little trou'
BILE to the easy going host.
The first, white bearded man of ap,
parently sixty or seventy, Mark Bent
ley by name, rarely left his room save
when business took him away from the
inn. He seemed to have plenty Of
money and always paid promptly. be
ing especially liberal in his payment
for any extra service that he required
He had come to the inn week be-
fore, making inquiries for certain
young man named Arthur Bailey. who
when last heard from had been in that
vicinity. The young man. Bailey. II
seemed, was distant relative of Bent,
ley and had not been heard from fo:
five years.
The other lodger. Boyd Springer, was
a man of perhaps thirty. He had ar
rived only two days before. What busI'
ness had brought him to Burrville ha.
not been made known.
AS the keeper of the Blue Dragon sat
slipping his steaming beverage the door
opened quietly, and Mark Bentley came
into the room.
"Ah. It's you. Mr.. Bentley" said
Landlord Finch. "Have Il seat and
take sup Of this to warm your blood. y
He pushed chair toward his ledger
procured another mug from the old
fashioned sideboard and filled it froin
pewter vessel near the fire.
Il beg your pardon for asking the
question" Mr.. Bentley began in slow.
hesitating manner. "but who is the
man who occupies room No. 81
"N'hy, it's Mr. Springer Of Ralti-
more" replied the innkecper. surprised
at the question. He came here day
before Yesterday"
"Have you any knowledge of his
character or the business that brings
him here?'
why, can't say have. haven't
thought it necessary to NEEDLE with
the affairs of my guests. Why do you
ask"
Il will explain" returned the old
man in slow. impressive tones. But
first let me assure you, Mr. Finch. that
not for the world would say anything
10 the diScredit of your guest. yet feel
il my duty to tell you of an incident
which occurred this evening that has
caused me some uneasinCss and has led
me to suspect that this new guest of
yours is not Just what ne seems.
"As you may know. have Il habit of
retiring early \ man of my age should
form such Il habit That Is the secret
of my excellent health.
Tonight retired ut my usual time,
q little before 8 o'clock. | had been in
bed perhaps half hour and WAS just
dropping into doze when | heard the
sound of light footsteps in the hall
without. Presently the sound was re-
peated. and this time it seemed to he
Just outside my door.
Happening to glance upward, / was
startled by perceiving the face of a
man peering down at me through the
transom By aid of your lamp. still
burning in the hall opposite my room