The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-06-26
--------------Il
Mxrd ereC
by UUbor?'
BY WILL LISE NBE Z ano
A. II. GIBSON
Copyright. 1908. BY VIII llsenbee and A. H. Gibson
Observation-Disclosures
ARTIN FINCH, keeper of the
~ Blue Dragon inn, sat by the
cheerful fire in his Office feel
Copyright. 1908. BY VIII llsenbes and A. n. Gibson

cheerful fire in his Office feel
ing a 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 mug or table
within easy reach.
The past summer had been n pros
porous season for the Blue Dragon.
The substantial remuneration which
the summers labors. had brought justi-
fled 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 ave little trou-
bic to the easy going host.
The first, white bearded man of APP
parently sixty or seventy, Mark Bent
ley by name, rarely left his room save
when business took him away from the
inn. lie seemed 10 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 n certain
young man named Arthur Bailey. who
when last heard from had been i'm that
vicinity. The young man, Bailey, it
seemed was a distant relative of Bent
ley and had not been heard from for
five years.
The other lodger, Boyd Springer, was
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 steaming beverage the door
opened quietly, and Mark Bentley came
into the room.
"Ah. It's you, Mr.. Bentley" said
Landlord Finch. "Have a seat and
take a sup Of this to Warm your blood
He pushed chair toward his lodger,
procured another mug from the old
fashioned sldeboard and filled it from
a 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
'Why, it's Mr.. Springer of Balti-
more" replied the innlleeper, surprised
ut the question. HE came here day
before yesterday"
Have you any knowledge of his
character or the business that brings
him here?"
why, l can't say have. l 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
it my duty to tell you of an incident
which occurred this evening that has
caused me some uneaSiness and has led
me TO suspect that this new guest of
yours is not just what he seems.
"As you may know, | have Il habit of
retiring early. y man of my age should
form such habit. That is the cret
of my excellent health.
Tonight | retired at my usual time,
q little before 9 o 'ock. | had been in
bed perhaps a hal our and was just
dropping into a doze when | heard the
sound of light footsteps in the hall
without. Presently the sound was re-
peated, and this time it seemed to be
just outside my door
Happening to glance upward, l was
startled by perceiving the face of
man peering down at me through the
transom. BY aid Of your lamp, still
burning in the hall opposite my room,