The Lamar register., 1903-01-14
Copyright, 1905, by Ronrrr Bossr.'. so.s.
CHAPTER II.

had finished with Graviscourt, but
hot with Nita Barlotti. The impulse
to see her again was too strong to be
controlled, and that evening i again
occupied a box in Madison Square
Garden.
But | was doomed to a disappoint-
ment that was keen in the same meas
ure as my former eagerness. Instead
of Barlotti, there appeared on small
balcony, near the bandstand, the same
greasy, mean-looking italian, who had
led the trapeze queen away on the
night of her successful debut This
creature bowed low to the audience
that had poured their silver into his
Golfers and in thick voice said:
Ladies and Shentlemens: 1t haf be-
come my sad duty to inform you dat
you will be disappointed great dis efen-
ing De bright star, de Won shining
Jewel, of dis great aggregati-one OF
Dsammoth attractiones. will not be
able to appear before you dis efening.
Signorina Barlotti haf been suddenly
taken i'll, and my regard for dis young
lady is so great dat haf insisted dat
she remain quiet under de care of
doctaire, until she haf fully recovered.
But If she is better tomorrow efening,
SO dat it will not do her any harm.
den, maybe, l will allow her to come
once more and gif you pleasure. My
friends, thank YOU"
Bowling again, the Italian disap-
peared.
l did not tarry long. With feeling
of keen disappointment I left the Gar
den and went to my hotel. AS was
going up the stairs to my room met
Major Simmons coming down.
The major accompanied me back to
my rooms, and l turned on the light,
rang for a night waiter and ordered
some cigars of brand that l knew
the major liked, and also some wine.
These comforts of bachelors life
having appeared. the major lighted
cigar and ensconced himself comfort
ably in a large armchair, resting his
head on the high back. and throwing
one leg over the other, settled into
lazy position.
Now go on" he said. "Tell me
what you have been doing and where
you have been hiding all day."
thereupon told him all that I had
done, leaving out no detail.
While l was speaking the major
looked at me gravely. and when had
finished he merely blew his cigar
Rnoke into the air and said nothing.
~ couldn't help it," said in apol-
.ogy. THAT story of yours about the
lucky uncle and the remarkable SINH
larity in the faces left an impression
that I could not shake off. Nor could
/ resist the impulse to Investigate"
Nor L.
Your" I jumped from my chair in
excitement. "You!"
"Yes When Graviscourt held that
photograph in his hand detected evil
dences of agitation in his manner.
The impression the whole thing gave
me was very like yours-the impulse
the same. This morning l rose early
and visited Trinity Cemetery. In the
afternoon l visited 301 Mott street,
the Bureau Of Vital Statistics.
81 saw just what you saw" went on
the major; land had it not been for
chance meeting, would have reached
4 the same conclusion that you have"
My breath was coming hard from
me now.
4 "Well?" gasped.
when I left 3O1 Mott street saw
Graviscourt's carriage. Thinking it a
i strange coincidence that he should be
: in the vicinity. l followed it. 1t stopped
4 before one of the most miserable
{ places in the Italian quarter. In the
\ lower portion Of the building was a
. dirty-looking drug store. Over the
door was the sign, L. Tortoni.'
saw Graviscourt get out of the car
3 riage and enter the drug store.
q hurried past, hoping to get look into
- window. l was not disappointed.
II saw the proprietor greet Gravis-
court as an acquaintance, and they
went into a back room. When re-
I, turned the carriage was still there,
a and a woman was in attendance at
a the store. The conference between
& Graviscourt and Tortoni was long
one.
N "If l am not mistaken-I may be,
& because dissipation changes faces
q but If 1 am not mistaken l.. Tortoni
\ is no other than DR.. Charles Sigmotta,
Graviscourt's old friend"
Il "Sigmotta!" exclaimed. 1.-THE man
4 who signed the death certificate of
X the Graviscourt child?"
z "The same"
Il This news was so Overwhelming
n that I sat silently smoking for sew
n eral minutes. In fact, but little more
& was said by either Of us. After few
\ minutes the major reached over,
3poured himself out some wine, drank
Nit, and took his hat as If to go.
&saw him to the door. and promising
ITO meet him at the Lotus Club the
Xfollowing day, returned to my room.
&where l threw myself down on the