Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-02-07
6be
Holiday
Case


MlSl;tif Lester, lie observed, WIFI JUST
Il touch or irony, "tnat l fail to com.
prehcnd your anxiety concerning her.
felt that had made a misstep;
that had need to go carefully.
at is not quite so simple as that"
explained. THE last time we saw Miss
Holiday she told us that she was Ill
and intended to go to her country
home for rest. Instead of going
there she sailed for France withou,
informing any one indeed, doing
everything she could to escape detec
ton. That conduct seems SO eccen
trio that we feel i'll duty bound to in
vestigate it; besides, two days before
she left she received from us hun
drcd thousand dollars in cash."
saw him move uneasily OH his bed
After all this advantage of mine was
no small one.
"Ah," he said softly, and again
''ah! Yes, that seems peculiar, vet per
haps If you had waited for letter.
Suppose we had waited and there
had been no letter-suppose, in conse
quence of waiting, we should be tor
late?
TOO late? Too late for what, Mis-
tair Lester? What is it you fear To-
her:"
Il don't Know 1 answered, "bu
somcthing-something. At least, W.
could not assume the responsibility o
delay"
NO" he agreed. perhaps not. Yo1
are doubtless quite right to investi
gate. wish you success. l wish tina
myself might aid you, there is s
much of interest in the case to me, bu
l fear that to be impossible"
And he breathed Il sigh, which wa
doubtless genuine enough.
"Will YOU go to Paris!" l asked.
"Oh, no; not ut once. At Havre
shall meet my agent and transact IN,
affairs with him. Then l shall seel
some place of quiet along the coast"
YES" said to myself, with leapln,
heart, "Etretat" But l dared no
speak the word.
II shall write to you," he added
when l have settled. Where do yol
stay Mt ParIs?'
I'VE haven't decided yet" 1 said.
"We?" lie repeated.
Didn't tell you? Mr.. Royce, on
junior partner, is with me-"
ut is no matter where you stay
he saide II shall write to you at til
postc rcstante. should like both yo1
and your friend to be my guests befor
YOU return to Amer-ric'."
There was a courtesy, cordially II
his tone which almost disarmed me
Such finished scoundrel!
I'VE shall be glad to accept" an
swered, knowing in my heart that til
invitation would never be made.
| was ready to go. l had accon
plished all could hope to accomplish
If I had not already disarmed his SUI
PIGEONS, l could never do SO.
II am firing YOU" said, starting VI
NO" lie protested, no" But hi
voice was almost inaudible.
II will CO." l said. "You must pa
don me. hope you will soon be be
ter" and closed the door behind m
with his murmured thanks in my ears
1t was not till after dinner that
found opportunity to relate to Mis-
Kemball the details of my talk wit
Martigny.
why did you change your mind /:
she asked.
1.-THE adventure tempted me. Thos
are your own words. thought PEI
haps l might be able to throw MAJ
tigny off the track"
"And do you think you succeeded?"
II don't Know, answered doub
fully. HE may have seen clea
through me-"
"Oh, don't believe him superhl
man! l believe you succeeded
1--WE shall know Tomorrow"
"Hes. and you must keep up the d.
ception till the last moment. Remcn
Der, he will be watching YOU"
III do my best" said.
"And don't make mountains out q
/ mnlal,i1l. NpI1 al