The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-07-21
MQUDReCk, me 0FIQ|nGI.
Bv SEWARD w. HOPKINS,
Author Of Jack Robbins ~ America" I'm thu
China Sea- 1.-TWO Gentlemen Of
Hawaii" ION q Palss
Charge" Etc.
Copyright, 1895, by ROBERT BoNNEn's eoHs.
IL.


CHAPTER II.
I had finished with Graviscourt, but
not with Nita Barlotti The impulse
to see her again was too strong to be
controlled, and that evening l again
occupied a box in Madison Square
Garden.
But l was doomed to a disappoint
ment that was keen in the same meas
ure as my former eagerness. Instead
of Barlotti, there appeared on a small
balcony, near the bandstand, the same
greasy, mean-looking Italian, who had
led the trapeze queen away on the
night of her successful debut. This
creature bowed low to the audience
that had poured their silver into his
Golfers and in thick voice said
Ladies and Shentlemens: 1t haf be-
come my sad duty to inform you dat
you will be disappointed great dis efen-
ing De bright star, de Won shining
jewel, Of dis great aggregati-one OF
mammoth attractiones, will not be
able to appear before you dis efening.
Signorina Barlotti haf been suddenly
taken ill, and my regard for dis young
lady is SO great dat haf insisted dat
| she remain quiet under de care of a
doctaire, until she haf fully recovered.
But if she is better tomorrow efening,
SO dat it will not do her any harm,
den, maybe, l will allow her to come
| once more and gif you pleasure. My
| friends, thank YOU"
Bowing again, the Italian disap-
peared.
| l did not tarry long. With a feeling
of keen disappointment left the Gar
! den and went to my hotel. AS was
going up the stairs to my room l met
! Major Simmons coming down.
The major accompanied me back to
my rooms, and / turned on the light,
! rang for a night waiter and ordered
some cigars of brand that l knew
the major liked, and also some wine.
These comforts of bachelors life
having appeared, the major lighted a
cigar and ensconced himself comfort
| ably in a large armchair, resting his
head on the high back, and throwing
/, one leg over the other, settled into q
lazy position.
Nov go on he said. "Tell me
what you have been doing and where
! you have been hiding all day"
l thereupon told him all that I had
| done, leaving out no detail.
! While l was speaking the major
| looked at me gravely, and when had
! finished he merely blew his cigar
smoke into the air and said nothing
Il couldn't help it," l said in apol
ogy. THAT story of yours about the
lucky uncle and the remarkable simi
larity in the faces left an impression
that could not shake off. Nor could
I resist the impulse to investigate
"Nor L.
Your l jumped from my chair in
excitement. "You!"
! "Yes. When Graviscourt held that
| photograph in his hand detected evi
dences of agitation in his manner
| The impression the whole thing gave
me was very like yours-the impulse
the same. This morning rose early
and visited Trinity Cemetery. In the
afternoon l visited 3O1 Mott street
the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
II saw just what you saw" went on
the major; 'and had 1t not been for q
chance meeting, I would have reached
the same conclusion that you have.
My breath was coming hard from
me now.
'Well?" l gasped.
when left 301 Mott street saw
Graviscourt's carriage. Thinking it 8
strange coincidence that he should be
in the vicinity, followed it. 1t stopped
before one of the most miserable
places in the Italian quarter. In the
lower portion of the building was 6
dirty-looking drug store. Over the
door was the sign, L. Tortoni.'
saw Graviscourt get out of the car
riage and enter the drug store.
hurried past, hoping to get look into
the window. was not disappointed
saw the proprietor greet Gravis
court as an acquaintance, and the,
went into a back room. When l re
turned the carriage was still there
and woman was in attendance al
the store. The conference between
Graviscourt and Tortoni was a long
one
I IT am not mistaken-I may be
because dissipation changes faces
but II am not mistaken L. Tortonl
is no other than DR.. Charles Sigmotta
Graviscourt's old friend"
"Sigmotta!" I exclaimed. "Thesman
who signed the death certificate OF
the Graviscourt child?"
| 'The same"
This news was so overwhelming
that sat silently smoking for sew
eral minutes. In fact, but little more
was said by either OF us. After a few
minutes the major reached over.
poured himself out some wine. drank
1t, and took his hat as II to go. I
saw him to the door, and promising
to meet him at the Lotus Club the
following day, returned to my room,
where / threw myself down on the
couch In the alcove, utterly lost in the