Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-02-19
CHAPTER TX.

AAc uudA WeOU1u& VI 0tSl4 Aoal
Marcia was set for early in the new
year, a rumor had it that Sir Arthur,
moved perhaps by the sight of SO
much Lilling and cooling, would short
ly afterwards console himself like
wise, and put period to his bach elor-
hood by leading to the altar the
daughter of a neighboring county
magnate.
The time was rapidly approaching,
and while the girls were busted with
the delightful mysteries of trosseau-
building the two men, Roster Kane
and Richard Dysart, were -perforce
thrown much on their own resources,
and naturally saw great deal OF each
other. Frequent trips to town were
necessary, and these they often made
in company on the off-days when there
was no hunting Kane could never
have Told how it came about, but it
was certainly not of his devising, and
to have shown indifference or distaste
would have been to court suspicion.
And besides, the attraction was mu-
tual; under any other conditions the
older man would have been comrades
with his intended brother-in-law with
unfeigned heartiness.
On one of these off-day trips tc
London they travelled in the same
compartment to Euston, and then.
both being bound for the city, they
chartered a hanson, which set them
down at the bank. Walking up
Threadneedle street, they came sud-
denly face to face with a shabby
little man. who at sight of them
stopped short, threw up both hands
with an indescribable gesture of sur
prise, and then, turning sharply on
his heel, vanished round the corner.
1t was Moses Plish!
Funny little beggar,' said Rich
ard; the last time | saw him was in
Ladysmith; seemed to know us both!"
"Why, yes," said Kane, as nonchal-
antly .as possible, "he is-or was-fOr
/ haven't set eyes on him in long
time-one OF the sharpest and shrewd-
Africa. In fact" with a quiet chuckle,
I've had some dealings with him my
self in the old days"
That's curious have ~ said
Richard. Hes the man to whom
sold some stones, you remember,
when 1 came out of the Wilderness
Arrived at the corner of Bishops
gate street they parted, agreeing to
meet for luncheon. AS Kane turned
away with a courteous wave OF the
hand, a sudden thought flashed
through Kicks brain and held him
rooted to the curb.
"By all that's holy!" he muttered,
gazing after his late companion.
Gould it be possible?"
Instead of doing his errand in the
city, he hailed passing hanson, and
jumping in called out to the cabby
wellington street." and within a
quarter of an hour he was with our
friend the manager of the inquiry Of
fee.
Have you anything for me:" he
asked.
In response he received legal en-
Ielope, quite bulky, which he thrust
into his pocket.
II believe all the data you asked for
are there, Mr.. Dysart," said the head
of the concern. "and we have tabu-
lated them in what seemed to US the
order of their importance relative to
your inquiry"
Thanks" said Richard. and re-
gained his cab.
Once within its shelter he lost no
time In examining the contents Of
the envelope. These consisted Of .
series Of foolscap sheets. fastened to-
gether With q brass clip at the cor
ner, each sheet bearing at the top the
name Of some man more or less well
known In the city or the diamond
trade. with certain biographical Re-
marks appended
And the first sheet bore the name Of
Rossiter Kane!
Richard replaced the envelope in his
pocket and sat staring ahead at the
crowded mass of vehicles in Fleet
street with a puzzled frown on his
face.