The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-12-23

liar smile.
"A detectives badge" he cried. THE
identity Of your visitor is explained.
he was no one else than my COL
league"
The artist, with his eyes flashing
from the empty decanter to the still
moist ashes, changed color.
"You are right" said he, "and by his
visit he has probably saved my life"
whats that" =
"He warned me. He told me that I
was in danger from this adyenturer's
jealousy, and"
"WaitkeWhat adventurer"
"The other Degraw. You knew
there's another Degraw man here who
calls himself Hamilton Degraw,' did
you not?"
eyes"
"Well, he passes for gentleman.
He is, perhaps, a gentleman, but. for
all that, he is the villain you are seek
ing. He came with recommendations
from Cleveland, and was received into
Miss Aspinwall's house, and immedi-
ately began to make love to Signorina
Valdi, whose real name, as you doubt
less know, is Jenny Rogers. He has
dark hair, gray eyes and persuasive
manner. He has been in New York,
and if not the gentleman you seek,
certainly answers to all descriptions OF
him as fully as ever did,"
"Very,good, will see him."
'Your man-that is, the detective
you sent here-is not in" favor Of bis
immediate arrest. He. wishes to wait
till this mysterious Degraw commits
himself. But I, who have so much at
stake, feel this to be cold blooded. !
hope you will agree with me-"
I'VE will see; we will see."
"And what is more curious still, he,
as well as she, declares that it is my
life which is menaced, and not hers.
Though, to be sure, her fears are the
offspring of his, he having seen fit to
tell her of certain mutterings uttered
by Mr.. Degraw, which he, in character
of valet to that gentleman, had been
fortunate enough to overhear."
Mr.. Gryce, who had been studiously
considering the head of his cane, shift
! ed his gaze at this point to the ferule.
please repeat that" said he.
The other did so. -
81 begin to understand" muttered
the detective to the impassive object
he was considering. Then, in his usual
colloquial manner he observed: $50
that fellow of ours has been playing
the part Of this gentlemans valet?"
YES"
"And has talked with Miss Rogers?"
Eyes"
"And with you"
eyes"
"Humph! And yet you speak of him
| in careless way as my man"
;"I, do not know him by name"
"You do not know him by name"
"No."
"He must be wonderfully disguised"
"How?"
"The man whom we sent here was
Mr.. Byrd"
"Neverw
"Mr. Byrd" emphatically repeated
the detective.
1T is impossible! No disguise could
make blue eyes black. This fellow has
black eyes,"
"Poohw
"Black. I assure you.'
Lights deceive"
II have seen him by daylight only"
1T is Byrd; I have his letter here,
written in his own hand"
The artist grew excited.
Letter or no letter, black eyes or
blue, the man who calls himself Mr..
Degraw's valet and IN officer of your
force is not Mr.. Byrd"
The detective gave q sly wink at
the ferule, as if it were with that and
| not with the artist he had been carry
| ing on this dispute, then buried it, with
the secrets he had been imparting to it,
| deep in the pile Of the rug upon which
| he stood, and turned toward the door.
"Let us make few inquiries" he
proposed.
The artist, unused to this sort of
work, followed his steps with reluct-
ance
whittier are we going" he asked.
First, to your landlady or landlord
or whoever it is wGo keeps this house
going. I want to find out if any one
saw person enter here since you have
been out, and if so, who it was"
"Then let US ask the old man who
sits on the front porch. He is always
there and would be sure to see any one
who came in by the door,"
Every good"
So they asked the OLD 1l:!n WHO was
still sitting in his farorite spot, though
the night dews were falling and cosy
looking lights welcomed him within.
He answered that he had seen two
strange men admitted, besides the el
| derly gentleman now addressing him.
One came quickly, passed him rudely
| and went in without waiting for his
hurried ring at the bell to be answered.
He had book in his hand. The other
came Immediately after him, stepped
| quietly by his chair and did not stop
to ring at all. Both went toward Mr..
Degraw's room.
"Twow
The artist looked amazed. The de.
tactive turned up his ferule and nodded
at it,
"And when did these men come out?"
"Why, they have not come" the Cid