New-York tribune., 1903-06-22

mothers cottage. and alone in the house
so you call ner my dear? That's bit pas
toral. eh?'
Look here, Rogers. If you're drunk I'd
rather you called at some other time To tell
you the truth. I'm busy
Writing your sermon? I thought Saturday
was the night for that. Pom my honor, now.
I wouldn't intrude, only the business is urgent"
He waited while Mr.. Whitmore somewhat
grudging1y set the door wide to admit him
..Bv the way. I've brought couple of friends
with me-"
"Confound II all. Rogers
"Oh YOU know them" Mr.. Rogers. with his
foot planted over the threshold, airiy waved US
forward out of the darkness Mr. Dodge
vour Rector he announced: "also Mr.. Revel-
a recent acquaintance Of yours as I under
stand
Good evening whitmore." said the rector,
stepping forward. "I owe you an apology u
sincerely hope) for the circumstances OF this
visit as I certainly disconrnend Mr.. Rosers's
method Of introducing us.
Now. as we two slipped forward. Mr. Whit
more had instantly shot out his right hand to
the door-against which Mr.. Rogers. however
had planted his foot-with a gesture as II TO
slam it in our faces But the sornbre apparttion
Of the rector seemed to freeze him where ne
stood-or all Of him but his left hand. winch
grasping the candlestick. slowly and as II inVoi-
unfairly lifted 1t above the level Of his eyes
Then before the rector had concluded, ne low
cred it. turned and walked hastily before US
down the passage
Still without speaking he passed through
door on his right, and we followed him INTO
sparely furnished room almost completely hneo
with empty bookshelves. few books lay scat
tered on the centre table. where, also within tne
shaded light of a reading lamp, stood tray with
a. decanter and couple Of glasses Beside tnlS
1arnp he set down the candle and faced US IN
those few PAGES down the passage had noticed
that he wore riding boots and spurs, and that
they were spotIessIy bright and clean But from
this moment I had eyes only for his face, Wnlcn
was ashen white and the more horrible because
he was essaying painful smile
MY dear Rector" he began-and the smile
seemed to harden into fixed grin-'tnls is IN
deed "a surprise. You said nothing OF any
such intention when had the honor to call on
YOU in Plymouth two days ago.
Good reason for why" interrupted Mr.. Rog-
ers Look here whitmore-with the Rectors
1eave rve.u get this over Do you know this
coin?''
He plunged hand into his breech pocket.
drew forth the guinea and held it forward IN
his open palm under the lamp
could see the unhappy pick up his cour-
age TO fix his gaze the coin and hold 1t nxed.
II don't understand you. Rogers. ne an
svered firmly enough. Il have. of course. no
knowledge Of that coin or what II means 10
me II looks like an ordinary guinea
IT won II from YOU last night Wnitmore: and
;, * not an ordinary guinea. but marked one
What's more I marked it myself-see. with this
small cross behind the kings head WHAT'S
more sold it. so marked, t6 Rodriguez. the
Jew
Who. 7 suppose. promptly put II INTO circu-
1a+ion in Plymouth. where ny cnance " vas
handed 70 me amid the change when 1 paid my
hotel bill-if indeed you are apsoluteIy SURE
you were given this coin by me
Come. Rogers, that's an explanation NY
self suggested" put in the Rector
u uas indead an easy explanation. though ]
did not believe It for moment Still even
knowing what I knew. / was surprised al the
ba1fhAartad tone in which he uttered II, and
s+iu more at the look (of utter fright WHICH
while uttering il. he cast on me
..rhe folks az tie Royal Head" answered Mr.
Rogers curtIv, tell me that you paid your bill
IN silver I had-though I did not tell him So
aI-oad, diecovared that when the Rector raised
the question"
Now might we'll have wondered-as Won
dared later. and before the answer was given me
-vrbat had changed the harum- -scarum Jack
| Roeers Of a few hours ago into the cross-exam-
trer before me- This lighter Of last nights bon
fire was not-one would have supposed-the man
| ~ nress hardly or any one who happened TO ma
himself on the wrong side Of the Law. even
though the crime We're murder Yet he was
| nr.ssing whitmore harshly. almost with note
of private vindictiveness In his voice. But just
row nv ewes fell on the curate's hand as II
nIavad nervously with the base Of the brass
candlestick There was ring on the little nm
oar and in an instant I knew-though could
not have sworn to it in court yet knew more
certainly than many things to which could
have testified on oath-that this was the mana
had seen closing tho door in the Jews house