The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-02-25
CHAPTER XII


fresh and invigorated than l had felt
for months. 1t had been arranged that
1 should breakfast at Martha's. So ac-
cordingly, as soon as l was washed and
dressed, l adjourned to No. 3. Two
strange men were in the room when l
went in.
The elder Of the two was tall. thin
man, with sallow complexion, sharp.
aquiline features, hollow cheeks, full
beard and mustache, and dark, griz.Ied
hair, which he wore very long and parted
in the center. He was dressed in seedy
black; an extremely open waistcoat dis
played a somewhat dilapidated fancy
shirt 'front.' very much soiled and crum-
pied. A frayed black satin necktie sur
rounded a very frayed and limp shirt
collar; his boots were old and patched,
but they were the remains of what had
once been radiant patent leather. His
hands were white, and carefully tended,
and ornamented with two large brass
rings. He greeted me with great polite
ness as | entered.
His companion was young man of
about twenty; full-faced, rather sanguine
complexion. with an expression of oddly
mixed good and dissatisfaction.
His dress was less pretentious than that
of the elder, although there was the
same style of shabby gentility and the
secondhand clothes shop.
Martha introduced the elder as "Pro-
fessor Montgomery" and the younger as
Mr.. Fitzwalton. The elder acknowledge
ed the introduction with an air Of great
politeness; the younger, with familiar
nod, and a twinkle of amusement in his
eye at my odd appearance, which slowly
changed to one Of doubling recognition
an expression which was reflected in nv
own face; for. in Mr.. Adolphus Fitzwal-
ton. believed that | recognized my
whilom bed-fellow, Josiah Cook We
both came to the same conclusion at the
same moment.
"Can it be possible"
"It can't be-"
THAT you are Josiah Cook?'
"What! Silas Carstonv'
Martha, who was preparing my break
fast, looked very much astonished at this
recognition.
"One of the Rev. Mr. Porter's old
boarders," l said, in explanation.
why, you don't mean to say that you
know that old hypocrite?'' cried Josiah,
turning round to her.
''She was servant there for two years
only left about month ago." | said,
answering for her.
well. if this isn't the queerest start
ever knew" cried Josiah. whoever
should have thought Of seeing you here.
What are you doing? How's old Snuff
les getting on? Has Miss Gooseberry
eyes got husband YETI"
These questions were very cmbarrass-
ing. and | should have been greatly put
to for an answer, but Martha came to
my assistance.
We'll. look here, Mr.. Fitzwalton,
she said with sign to me: Master
Silas has got some very particular bust
ness on hand just now that obliges him
to be cautious, so | know you'll excuse
him answering your questions for a day
or two"
"Oh. don't want to pry into any
body's secrets retorted Josiah. with
something of pique in his tone.
There was an awkward silence for
some minutes, during which discussed
my breakfast, with the embarrassing
sensation that the Professor" as l at
forwards heard he liked to be called,
was sharply scrutinizing me.
1t was impossible for Josiah to Keep
silent for any length Of time, or to re-
frain from talking about himself. So,
In spite of my reticence, he soon put me
in possession OF the whole OF his his
tory, from the time he quilted Mr.. Por-
| tiers establishment up to the time in