The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-28

we viii have to wait a while for the con-
| Guiding chapters"
Mr.. Smith looked at me sharply.
! frOwned. and then abruptly changed
/ the subject
You wished to see me on a matter Of
business2''
Yes. called for the purpose OF draw
In on you for some money" I ex-
planned. Il am in urgent need for funds,
or I would not have come at this hour"
Il am sorry" he replied. but I can
not advance you any more money"
What do you mean?" I demanded.
| There should be a thousand pesetas
here for me. 1 havo Mr.. Melrose's or
der 10 draw upon him, through you, at
any time and Cor any amount ! may
need
/ I was a little nettled at the blum way
! In which he had tried TO put me OF.
Besides, 1 had every reason to believe
that ne was not stating the truth. and
1 determined that IL there was no money
for me 1 would know the reason why
there was more.
Mr.. Melrose had not. been heard from
since a week ago today" replied the
banker. moving uneasily IN his chair.
Where he is 1 do not know. Deteo-
tives have been looking for him. but
as yet they have found no clue which
gives them any idea as TO what has
become OF him.
IL was scarcely possible for him 70
leave the country without being dis
| covered. OF course, we do not know
that he has left the city, neither do we
know that he IS alive If he Is not alive
my authority as his agent has ceased,
and 1 cannot legally pay out his
money"
You need feel no uneasiness In that
regard" I replied The money was
placed hero to my credit and is due
me when I choose TO call for f. It
has already been paid over to you on
my account Furthermore, you have
no reason for assuming that Mr. Melrose
Is dead because you cannot at this mo
ment locate him
You appear 10 have a theory Of
your own regarding Mr. Melrose's
whereabouts. he said. You would do
US great favor by finding him.
why was he so anxious TO find Mr..
Melrose?" / asked myself. Certainly. il
did look suspicious-as II Mr.. Smith was
in some conspiracy against him
In good time. no doubt. you will
learn where Mr.. Melrose is" I replied.
least idea myself where he IS As for
the money. that had been arranged for
in view Of the possibility Of this very
contingency arising"
He looked Up quickly. as much as to
say that I knew more than I would
admit
What do you want with the money!"
he demanded.
1T matters not what I want il for, -
replied. 1T is enough that you have
instructions TO pay # to me on de-
mand"
He WINGED a little at this.
But Mr. Melrose's disappearance-it
makes quite a difference. The legal
status is changed"
1T is not changed in the east" I re-
piled. out Of patience with the man
Mr.. Melrose VIII make his appearance
or II he does not, 1 will find him in
time"
Your task IS likely TO be Il fools er-
rand he replied with a sinister smile !
In the first place you had better never |
have come 10 this country; your fool
hardness will cost you your life"
That Is my lookout" I retorted
What I want 70 know is. am 1 or am
1 not. 10 receive the money!"
We'll. as I said. I cannot act as Mr.
MeIrose's agent If he is dcad-my au-
thority has ceased. If I should let you
have the money It would be at my own
risk"
DO you know that Mr.. Melrose is
dead?" demanded.
NO, only that I fear he is said the
crafty banker. His isappearance-''
7 do not care anything about his dis
appearance" I interrupted. somewhat
angrIly. He has a right 70 go and
come as he pleases. Furthermore, It is
no affair Of yours where he is, or when
he goes and comes.
He has not necessarily elected you
TO be his guardian, because ne has been
so unfortunate as 90 make you HIS
banker. I want 500 pesetas: and. what
is more. am going TO have the money"
VIII not half that sum do?' he asked.
beginning 10 weaken. I would perhaps
be willing TO assume the risk or paying
two hundred and fifty"
NO, that will not do. I replied firmly.
II have named a much smaller sum
than I am liable 10 need for my ex-
penses''
IF you will call tomorrow morning
I will see what 1 can do"
Il will not call tomorrow morning
1 replied. 1T is necessary that have 1
the money now"
He turned slowly ard rather reluc- i
family 10 his safe, opened IL, took out a 1
bagi of money, and counted out 500 Pc
setas 10 me This is the full amount,
he said. as he shoyed 1t toward me
Thank you, ! replied. Il shall Try
to make it answer for my present
needs"
He was very particular 70 have me
sign a receipt for the money, as, Of
course. was willing TO do. After
doing which. I wished him good evening /
and took my leave.
I viii confess that the future looked /
very dark TO me at this time. True, /
had regained my liberty but l was |
among enemies. and knew not person 4
90 whom I could turn as a friend. Not 4
even when = had stood before the Mill 4
tary tribunal expecting every moment !
to hear the sentence OF death pro
nounced upon me. had felt so disheart-
ened as now. The excitement which |
had sustained me then had passed /
away.
! was a fugitive from justice; my
~