Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-30

NO, clfy SuiA A1OOu phOmPijs WAh the promptness of machine and with no more infection than a good servant should have
 ''Ah, feel 1t myself, MT. Greatorex." said the old man, leaning somewhat heavily upon my arm as we issued from the chamber.
 Hood closed and locked the door after him.
 "The key, sir" he said respectfully, holding it out
 "Oh, the key will do where 1t is," re- piled Mir. Kesteven, without looking round. "Leave it in the lock, Hood"
 As we retraced our steps along the corridor, which echoed dull to the tread, he conversed about other things. | but made no reference whatever to the I matter upon which he had been en- l gagged when we were interrupted. At the top of the stairway he took his arm from mine.
 If you will excuse me for few | minutes, MT. Greatorex,' he said, T will join you in the dining room"
 He walked backward a few yards toward the room which I had learned was his bedroom, and as he did so the lean figure of the deferential innkeeper rose out of the gloom as if to meet him. I myself went down into the courtyard, and then found my way into the large oaken dining room.
 When he entered, some few minutes later, I was astounded by the change l in his face. Naturally pale, it was now of peculiar and ghastly pallor, which gave his head almost the appearance of skull. Laying a finger on my arm, he spoke quite sharply.
 "Mr. Greatorex," said he, you can do me a particular favor if you will" listened, murmuring my willingness. "Can you drive me to Raymond at once? I will have the horses put in the dogcart."
 Most certainly" I answered, staring and at loss for more words.
 q owe you many thanks" he said, and, slipping away with that noiseless tottering gait of his, he disappeared into the courtyard.
 It was not fifteen minutes ere we were upon the road I drove the mare at rapid pace, being conscious of my companion's restlessness, and for a time he spoke no word save to direct me at the crossroads, but lay back on his seat with his arms folded, his hat lowering upon his eyes and his eyes fixed upon the immediate purview. But after awhile he uttered little sigh, as of one whose deliberations had relieved hira, and turned mild eye upon me.
 "You drive we'll my friend" he said "From all appearances you have a hard nerve. It is well. It is well. Ii is the one thing have aimed at and might have succeeded had not my ascendants weakened the blood"
 told him that so far as could sec he had no reason to complain of his nerve.
 "You think so? Then 1t seems that
 you ere not only silent but an ob serving person." he said, smiling "But you are wrong-you are wrong. Never theless, I am glad to find you so ob servant. My dear sir. there is nothing 20 important as observation. Educa
 ton and breeding and birth, these yot may buy or feign, but observation Il the measure of a mans character With that he sank Into silence one.
 more, nor, so far as can recall, dit
 we exchange one sentence till we ar rived in Raymond.
 We drew up in the main street off ; large and formless building, upon thu door of which was emblazoned th' name of a solicitor and public notary
 And here, begging me to await him , the old gentleman alighted and entered l the house. It was not very long after [ ward that he reappeared with pleas ant little lawyer behind him, and no : ticed that he himself seemed very wei , pleased. He talked as if load wal
 of his mind; but, to tell the truth, : felt that it was time had some ex r planation. It was not that 1 grudget f the old gentleman my fellowship, sucl f as it was, and it certainly was not tha P was tired of the experience. Quit
 the contrary. I was tantalized b, , these strange tastes of adventure. NJ, i nose took up the scent of mystery as [
 hound sniffs the air, and when I spokI so abruptly it was only in the wish t , let him understand that I thought m, ] fidelity had earned its wages. i, 'It is we'll to be armed at all points , my friend" he had remarked compla i gently. "I find a complete equipmen | is a solace against possible evils" "That's very true" I said, "and
 am delighted if my small services thi b afternoon have, as it would seem, beer
 the happy occasion of suggesting t you this comfortable reflection. Blu now, if you will excuse me. Mfr. Kes , teven, will put my thanks in you | hands for a very agreeable hospltalit, ! ana
 He was visibly disconcerted, as haG \ hoped he would be-
 . "You are not thinking of your innf' q he demanded after a pause in which h |. recovered.
 l. My dear sir replied. T have beei F thrust upon you, complete stranger r for a day and night"
 His face sufused with amusement 2 q don't think we are strangers to eacl I other; Mir. Greatorex." he observes '- quietly. T dare say we understand
 one another better than appears. If i however. 1t be any relief to your con l. science, I assure you that I am mucl