The Washington times., 1904-07-24

Entirely sol replied, but I shall
reserve the right you have granted me
TO withdraw from your service at any
time may. for any reason whatsoever
see fit to do So"
This is understood" he said.
And when am I to leave FL Paso?'
asked.
AS soon as may suit your convent
ence," he replied. Tonight you viii re-
ceive full advice as to what you are 10
do, and money for your expenses, 81
that you need not call again. For rea-
sons that you will understand it IS best
that nothing be said about this inter
view. and that we are not seen together
again"
Il will remain silent" I answered.
You will take these letters to the
person TO whom they are addressed -
he said, handing me a package. after
having carefully sealed It, and await
further advice. It is probable, though.
/ will arrive IN the city before you do.
There is nothing more, 1 believe. re-
garding which you need instructions at
this time. ] have a check here drawn
on a local bank for an amount which
believe you viii find sufficient to cover
all expenses. You may take your own
time in making the journey, though l
will ask that 1t be made within a rea-
sonable period. taking into consideration
delays which are liable TO occur. Re
member so far you know nothing of
what your mission is. ! have made
1t easy for you to answer all questions
in this respect"
l took the papers he handed me, and
folding the check, placed It in my pock-
etbook He had given them to me in an
transformations way. and there was
calmness IN his manner which con-
| trasted strangely enough with the feel
/ Ing he had shown during the first part
/ of our conversation.
/ He had spoken TO me as he would
have spoken to any person regarding a
] business transaction. He was perfectly
calm and impassionate. but there was
| a depth of feeling beneath the quiet
exterior he preserved.
| You will find me faithful 10 the trust
/ you impose on me-" I replied, rising
| Barring any accidents 1 shall be in
Mexico in good time"
! He rose and held the lamp, as I went
/ toward the door
May God be with you" he said. as
he took my hand.
! His caimness did not leave him, but
| noticed that he was Iaboring under
strong emotion, but width an attempt 10
suppress his feelings. Moisture gathered
In his eyes. He followed me to the door
and stood. holding the lamp above his
head. watching me as I went along the
/ walk.
The more I thought the matter over
| the more there seemed to be something
unreal about it. Who was this stranger
whose acquaintance I had made in sucl
an unusual manner2 Why should he al
once made ne his confdant, and with
out inquiry as to my character ask me
! TO undertake an important service fol-
him?
These questions puzzled me not a lit
| tie. 1 was in a maze Of doubt and be-
| wilderment II was as II I had beer
reading some romance, and had be-
come so deeply interested IN the plot
that 1 had assumed a place myself
among the characters and scenes de
picted.
It was not to be wondered at that my
sleep that night was disturbed. 1 lay
| awake for a long time recalling the in
cidents of my adventure, and going over
every word Of the conversation which
had passed between myself and my new
made acquaintance
II 1 had doubts as to Mr.. Melrose'!
sincerity, his earnestness, at least. had
mode q vivid impression upon my mind
Still, for all his apparent sincerity.
was in doubt and perplexed. AS 1 hav,
said. there was something about Oul
tall. ard the employment I was to entel
upon which did not appear TO be real o.
genuine. It seemed 20 me a Quixotic id
venture-the caprice or within Of mad
man.
Yet, there was the mysterious sealed
package 1 had received, and a checl
made out IN my own name for a con
siderable sum Of money. The checI
might be of no value. If SO. it would
not surprise me.
At last morning came, and in tn,
clear light Of day 1 smiled at the Incl
dents of the night before. The pack
b age I laid aside. AS for the check,
could do nothing less than present it a
the bank; but 1 felt foolish enough
To- when 1 handed It to the cashier, havini
. no faith TO believe that it would b.
: hOnOred.
The cashier turned IT over and thel
. returned it TO me with an intimatiol
c that I put my name on the back of it
l did so. and without question. or s
{ much as a word, he counted out to m
the money the check called for.
n took 1t. half doubling nay ow
II senses. The money at least was genu
+ inc and It gave me a feeling Of i'm
n pOrtance as | handled it.
= The first thing ! had to do was
J. find some one 10 go with me, for II
l. Travelled alone / would as likely as nc
o be murdered for my boots and saddl,
IL nothing more.