The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-11-08
The Garhart Mystery ::s.=.. WEE e.. =.

OsCeOSOcO.OeOs osOsoSoSoco.
The conversation had grown reminis-
cent, as conversations will when old
acquaintance stirs it's coffee after din
ner and the blue wreaths of good to-
bacco-smoke float ceilingward, like
pleasant specters, in the subdued light
of the shaded lamps.
Barton and I, in following back some
winding paths of memory now we'll
nigh overgrown, were in danger of for
getting our good manners till Willough-
by reminded US of his presence.
II might as well embrace this oppor-
tunity for nap he said, stretching
his long legs to the fire, and sinking
back into one Of Bartons most engag-
ing armchairs Just wake me I'D
when you fellows hit upon subject l
know something of. 1 happen to have
been living in India during the time
the thrilling tea-and-tennis episodes
you recall SO fondly were taking place,
and to tell the truth, they bore me.
Barton laughed.
"Oh, we have done with recollections,
and now you shall have a chance to
bore us with an Indian tale or so by
way of recompense," he said, with the
candor permissible only between men
who know each other well. Make
clear to us the difference between a
maharajah and a pongeepajama, and
go ahead"
"At least, my stories do not deal with
duels that ended in Delmonico's, and
f1irtations which fell fat" asserted
Willoughby, blowing cloud of frag-
rant incense into space. I've no idea
of wasting occult material on brace
of rank Philistines, but if 1 were so
disposed"
Dear boy!" I put in, rather testify;
for I dislike fatuous patronage even
in fun. Either Barton or I could re-
late to you an incident which occurred
in this very room, within a yard of
where you sit, remarkable enough to
make your Kiplingest jungle-tale seem
as tame as Mother Hubbard's Dog"
Indeed" he said, sinking still far
Their into his chair, with something
very like yawn; and Barton; as he
arose and moved to the mantelpiece,
"
which I was careful not to recognize.
"Ah, here comes Nathan with fresh
coffee" our host announced, clearly to
change the subject, as the round-shoul-
dered figure of his worthy valet az
peared in the lamplight. pray let
him fill your cups, and, if it is not
strong enough, don't hesitate to tell
him.
"It'th not the coffee gentlemen de-
thired when I wath young" comment
ed Nathan, a trifie sadly. and with the
amusing lisp which made him some
thing of a character, albeit he was
rather a dull man even for a valet
II never take a second cuo," Will
loughby declared, adding: But, if it's
all the same, I might be tempted by a
sip of soda later, say in half an hour or
so.''
This struck me as an excellent sug-
gestion, and Barton evidently thought
the same.
Bring soda in half an hour he in
structed the servant, "and mind you
have it cold.'
"It'th never any other way you've
had your thoda thingle night for fif-
teen yearth, thir.'' retorted Nathan,
with quite sufficient truth, no doubt,
to justify the protest; and as he shut
filed from the room, Jim Barton's
guests chuckled.
81 move we give the half-hour to
your yarn" said Willoughby, crossing
his legs. THAT is if it can be told
in thirty minutes"
Its not worth half that time if it
were told at ALL" replied our host.
1.-THE story is not worth much at best,
but to give old Joe here the chance
to intimate a too-elaborate dinner"
My name is Joseph, by the way.
ooh, If you will admit that eXplana-
ton began, to draw him on. for
I was anxious that Willoughby should
understand that interesting things
could happen elsewhere than in India.
"I don't admit it in the least!" cried
Barton, interrupting. 'T assure you,
WiHoughby, upon my word, as sure as
stand here, had tasted nothing more
that night
What night?" inquired Willoughby.
1.-The night young Carhart disap-
peared," I interposed impressively.
THE night fellow six feet high and
nedNler IMAM any OF US VdnlSNeQ as
completely from this room as a puff
of smoke dissolves in air."
81 have seen a puff Of smoke go
flying through window" Willoughby
suggested, laughing, though his inter
est had evidently been aroused, for he
glanced toward the bay of loaded glass
which made one of the pleasantest
features of Barton's cozy smoking
room.
But no man ever went through this
particular window" I replied, taking
the burden Of enlightenment upon my
self. in spite of my hosts very appar-
ent disapproval. This window looks
out upon a neighbours yard, and ever
since the house was built it has been
barred as heavily as you see it now
I sprang up, and, when had pressed
a button which set a dozen electric
bulbs aglow in the four corners of the
room, drew the light curtains to one
side.
Examine for yourself" I cried,
much in the manner of the Snowman.