Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-16
By ROBERT
 LOUIS
 STEVENSON


 one of his visitors aside, and after a brief colloquy in an anteroom he would return alone, and the visitor in ques- ton reappeared no more. After1a cer- tain number of -repetitions this per formance excited Braekenbury's curi- osity to high degree. He determined to be at the bottom of this minor mys- tery at once, and, strolling into the anteroom, found deep window recess concealed by curtains of the fashion able green. Here he hurriedly en- econced himself, nor had he to wait long before the sound of steps and voices drew near him from the prin- cipal apartment. Peering through the division, he saw Mir. Morris escorting a fat and ruddy parsonage, with some what the look of commercial travel CT, whom Brackenbury had already re- marked for his coarse laugh and un- derbred behavior at the table. The pair halted immediately before the window, so that Brackenbury lost not a word of the following discourse:
 ssI beg you a thousand pardons," be- gan Mir. Morris, with the most con- ciliatory manner, ''and if appear rude I am sure you will readily forgive me. Tn place so great as London accidents must continually happen, and the best that we can hope is to remedy them with as small delay as possible. will not deny that fear you have made a mistake and honored my poor house by inadvertence, for, to speak openly, I cannot at all remember your appear ance. Let me put the question without unnecessary circumlocution-betw gentlemen of honor word will suffice under whose roof do you suppose yourself to be?' t
 "That of Mr. Morris" replied the oth- CT, with prodigious display of confu- gion, which had been visibly growing upon him throughout the last few words.
 .'Nfr. John or Mr. James Morris?" in- quired the host.
 1T really cannot tell you," returned the unfortunate guest T am not per sonally acquainted with the gentleman any more than am with yourself"
 ssI see," said Mr. Morris. ''There is an- other person of the same name farther down the street, and have no doubt the policeman will be able to supply you with his number. Believe me, felicitate myself on the misunderstand- ing which has procured me the pleasure of your company for so long, and let me exprees a hope that we may meet again <}Gpon a more regular footing. ' MeaHtime would not for the world dstain you longer from your friends. John" he added. raising his voice twill you see that this gentleman finds his greatcoatT
 And with the most agreeable air Mir. Morris escorted his visitor as far as the anteroom door, where he left him un- der conduct of the butler. As he passed the, window on his return to the draw ing room Brackenbury could hear him utter profound sigh, as though. his, mind was loaded with a great anxiety and his nerves already fatigued with the task on which he was engaged.
 For perhaps an hour the hansoms kept arriving with such frequency that Mir. Morris had to receive new guest for every old one that he sent away and the company preserved it's number undiminished. But toward the end of that time the arrivals grew few and far between and at length ceased entirely while the process of elimination syvas continued with unimpaired activity The drawing room began to look emp ty, the baccarat was discontinued for lack of banker, more than one person said good night of his own accord and was suffered to depart without expos A~.I, Al1.~ Svz rIaSI AENn Morris redoubled in agreeable atten- tions to those who stayed behind. He went from group to group and frorO person to person with looks of the readiest sympathy and the most perti- nent and pleasing talk. He was not so much like host as like hostess, and there was feminine coquetry and con- descension in his manner which charm ed the hearts of all.
 AS the guests grew thinner Lieuten- mt Rich strolled for moment out of the drawing room into the hall in quest of fresher air. But he had no sooner passed the threshold of the antecham- Der than he was brought to a dead halt by a discovery of the most sur prising nature. The Towering shrubs had disappeared from the staircase. Three large furniture wagons stood before the garden gate. The servants were busy dismantling the house upon all sides, and some of them had al ready donned their greatcoats and were preparing to depart. It was like the end of country ball, where every thing has been supplied by contract. Brackenbury had indeed some matter for reflection. First, the guests, who were no real guests after all, had been dismissed, and now the servants, who could hardly be genuine servants, were actively dispersing
 Was the whole establishment a sham," he asked himself, "the mush- room of single night, which should disappear before morningp'
 Watching a favorable opportunity, Braclzenbury dashed upstairs to the higher regions of the house. It was as he had expected. He ran from room to room and saw not stick of furniture nor so much as picture on the walls. Although the house had been painted and papered, it was not only uninhab- tied at present, but plainly had never been inhabited at all. The young off cer remembered with astonishment it's