Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-04-09
CHAPTER X.
SEYMOUR THE SLI2UTH.

SEYMOUR THE SLECTH.
No word had been received from
Mr.. Bernard Seymour since his de-
parture from ST. Louis. at which
time he requested that $500 be
Forwarded to him at New Or
leans. 1t was a popularity of the
BERNARD Seymour teIcerams that
they always contained stipulations
for fresh funds. Mr.. stevens had a
hearty respect for the SEYMOUR
luck. He overlooked any slight irrcg-
ularitics in methods, and accordingly
Photographed the money, and also full
Instructions concerning the search
for the architect and contractor in
rharge of the supposititious Hcstor
country house.
No answer came from Mr. Seymour
When the staff of reporters arrived
IN New Orleans, they learned that
MIR Seymour had registered at the
st. Charles Hotel. He had caShcd
the money order. but had not occll-
pied his room. nor had he been seen
at the hotel since the time of the
financial transaction. The new arriv-
ais made a vain search for the miss
ing sleuth, and then went briskly to
work without him.
When Bernard Seymour arrived in
New Orleans, he was. as he expressed
It, "much the worse for wear"
When he learned that he had caused
The arrest of a famous Chicago cler-
Pyman, instead of l.. Sylvester Vim
cent, ne lost no time in quitting ST.
Louis. He abandoned his baggage at
the Planters Hotel, and took the
first train south.
Seymour arrived in New Orleans
the following evening. He decided
that the "Nest End"-thc breathing
place of the Southern metropolis
would be the most congcnial place TO
begin operations. The West End"
IS a cluster of hotels, fringinC the
bathing beaches on the south shore
of Lake Pontchartrain, hnd serves as
n more aristrocratic Concy Island to
New Orleans. MIR. Seymour found it
brilliant with rows of electric lights.
a score of orchestras and bands were
blending their harmonics with the
murmur of the pleasureseeking
thronE.
Hello, seymour"
4 heavy set man. with his face
marked by n cavcrnous grin, pushed
his way through a crowd and slapped
Mr.. Bernard seymour on the
shoulder.
"Wcll, You little ferret. what are
you doing in New Orleans?"
Sir
That's what said-sir! VIII you
have a drink. sir?"
Eyes, sir. Now understand YOU"
said Mr.. seymour. swell, YOU old
Indian, ] did not know you were
down here. What are you doing?
Who are you doing"'
Nothing and nobody" said Mr..
Dick Bender. Mr.. Bender was news
paper man, whose natural ability was
obscured by habits more congcnial
than regular. An excellent writer,
he seldom held position more than
three months. lie was the journals
tic prototype of the tramp printer.
Sup against it, ch?" asked Scy-
mour.
Il surely am up against it good
and hard"
Dick Bender tossed off big drink.
and grinned as if his hard luck were
something to be contemplated with
joy.
you don't drink enough, Dick"
said Seymour. "lou are social re-
eluse. Your abstinence has become
a matter of common gossip. You
should thaw out once in IA while and
become mixer"
'Nevcr mind my falings. An
rwer me some questions" said Mr..
Bender, resting his foot on the rail,
and swinging his arm in an easy posi-
ton across the mahogany. What
are you doing in New Orleans?"
"NOne of your business"
"True, but not to the point. T
know what you are doing. You are
ON the kidnapped millionaire case"
Some one must have told you. The
witness refuses to commit himself.
Will you have another drink?'
they had several, Under their in
Huence Seymour told Dick Bender
ms mission, but was too discreet to
reveal any Information which had
peen received from New York lie
invited Mr.. Bender to take dinner
wlth hlm' and that gentleman was
TOO polite TO refuse.
! When Mr.. Seymour awoke the fol-