Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-09
CHAPTER XII.
1GFTY-FOUR West Houston street, .S just three blocks south of Wash


 just three blocks south of Wash
 ington square, was a narrow
 four story and basement build ing of gray brick with battered brown stone trimmings. at one time perhaps Q fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since depart. ed. In the basement was squalid Hebbler's shop, and the restaurant oc- cupied the first floor Dirty lace cur tains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street. but when mounted the step to the door and en- tered found the place typical of it's class. I sat down at one of the little square tables and ordered a bottle of wine It was M. Jourdain himself who drought it-a little fat man, with trou- sers very tight and waistcoat very dazzling. The night trade had not yet begun in earnest, so he was for the mo- kment at leisure, and he consented to shrink a glass of wine with me. I had xordered the ''superieur."
 You have lodgings to let, suppose, Ion the floors above?" questioned. 2 He squinted at me through his glass, .afrying with French shrewdness to read Sme before answering. s.-a- ....- z "Why, yes. we have lodgings. Still, a Sman of monsieur's habit would scarce 3ly wish''-
 "The habit does not always gauge 1.-the purse.n I pointed out.
 That is true" he smiled, sipping his awine. Monsieur then wishes lodg- ingT z T should like to look at yours"
 You understand. monsieur" he ex- fplained, that this is good quarter, and our rooms are not at all the ordi- anar' rooms Oh, no; they are quite su- perior to that. They are in great de- Emand. We have only one vacant at this moment. In fact, I am not certain that it is yet at liberty. I will call my wife,
 She was summoned from behind the counter, where she presided at the money drawer, and presented to me as Mime. Jourdain. I filled glass for sher.
 Monsieur, here, is seeking a lodg :sing.' he began. 'Ts .the one on the ssecond floor back at our disposal yet, { Celie?"
 His wife pondered the question a moment, looking at me with sharp lit- tie eyes.
 T do not know" she said at last ''We shall have to ask M Bethune. He said he might again have need of it. He has paid for it until the 18th"
 My heart leaped at the name. I saw : that must take the bull by the horns assume bold front-for If they waited to consult my pirsuer I should never gain the information was seeking.
 Tt was through NJ Bethune that I secured your address" I said boldly. He was taken i'll this morning. His heart, you know" and I tapped my chest.
 They nodded, looking at me, never ] theless. with eyes narrow with sus- z pfcion
 ltHs LuOueltufs WE huO"s Sdh Jourdain. ''The authorities at the hos pital at once notified us"
 Tt is not the first attack" assert ed. with temerity born of necessity. ''He has had others, but none so seri- ous as this"
 They nodded sympathetically. Plain Iy they had been considerably impress td by their lodger.
 C "So," I continued brazenly. 'he knows at last that his condition is very bad, and he wishes to remain at the hospital for some days until he has quite recovered. In the meantime am to have the second floor back, which was occupied by the ladies"
 l spoke the last word with seeming 5 nonchalance. without the quiver of : lash. though I WAS inwsrdly s-quake, for I was risking everything upon 1t. Then in an instant I breathed more