Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-06-17

SS ~ ibluN iSla6Soi iihAib say W hAS
II 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 a sip of some steam
ing beverage from mug on a table
within easy reach.
The past summer had been 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 We're but two guests staying at
the inn now, and they gave little trou-
BILE to the easy going host.
The first, a 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 q week be-
fore, making inquiries for a certain
young man named Arthur Bailey, who
when last heard from had been in that
vicinity. The young man, Bailey, it
seemed, was distant relative of Bent
ley and had not been heard from for
five years.
The other ledger, Boyd Springer, was
n man of perhaps thirty. He had ar-
rived only two days before. What bust
ness had brought him to Burrville had
not been made known.
AS the keeper of the Blue Dragon sat
slipping his steamlng beverage the door
opened quietly, and Mark Bentley came
into the room.
"Ah! It's you, Mr.. Bentley" said
Landlord Finch. "Have seat and
take a sup of this to warm your blood"
He pushed chair toward his ledger,
procured another mug from the old
fashioned sideboard and filled 1t from
n pewter vessel near the fire.
81 beg your pardon for asking the
question:" Mr.. Bentley began in n slow,
hesitating manner, "but who is the
man who occupies room No. 90"
why, it's Mr.. Springer of Balti-
more" replied the innkeeper, surprised
Mt the question. HE came here day
before yesterday"
"Have you any knowledge Of his
character or the business that bring!
him here?"
"Why, can't say l have. l haven't
! thought it necessary to NEEDLE witt
the affairs of my guests. Why do yor
ask"
IT will EXPLAIN" returned the Ole
man. ir slow, impressive tones. "But
.i-Irst let me assure you, Mr.. Finch, that
not for the world would say anything
to the discredit of your guest, yet feel
1t my duty to tell you of an incident
which occurred this evening that has
caused me some uneasiness and has lee
, me to suspect that this new guest O
yours is not just what he seems.
} Gas you may know, have habit o
retiring early A man of my age SHOULD
form such n habit. That Is the secre
of my excellent health.
Tonight retired at my usual time
a little before 0 o'clock. had been il
bed perhaps half hour and was jus
dropping into doze when heard tn
sound of light footsteps in the hal
without. Presently the sound was re
! peated, and this time it seemed to b
just outside my door.
Happening to glance upward, I wa
startled by perceiving the face of
! man peering down at me through tn
transom. By aid Of your lamp, sti
burning in the hall opposite my room