Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-01-24

VlFI 4-fOUlt west houston street,
IL 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
fashionable residence, but with its
last vestige of glory long since depart
cd. In the basement was Il squalid
cobbler's shop, and the restaurant oc-
cupied the first floor. Dirty lace cur
tains hung Mt the windows, screening
the interior from the street, but when
mounted the step to the door and en-
tered found the place typical of its
class. sat down at one of the little
square tables and ordered Il bottle Of
wine. 1t was NJ. Jourdain himself who
brought tia little fat man. With troll
scrs very light and waistcoat very
dazzling. The night trade had not yet
begun in earnest, so he was for the mo-
mcnt ut leisure, and lie consented to
drinl: Il glass of wine with me. l had
ordered the .superieur."
you have lodgings to let, l suppose,
on the floors above:" I questioned.
He squinted ut me through his glass,
trying with French shrewdness to read
me before answering.
"Why, yes, we have lodgings. Still,
man of monsieur's habit would scarce
ly wish
1.-The habit does not always gauge
the purse" pointed out.
"That is true" he smiled, slipping his
wine, "AIonSieur then wishes Il loug-
mgr
II should like to look at yours
you understand, monsieur" he ex-
planned, "that this is n good quarter,
and our rooms are not Mt all the ordi-
mar rooms. Oh, no; they are quite su-
perior to that. They are in great de-
mand. We have only one vacant at
this moment. In fact, am not certain
that it is vet at liberty. l will call my
wife"
She was summoned from behind the
counter, where She presided at the
money drawer, and presented to me as
Nine. Jourdain. filled glass for
her.
Monsieur. here, is seeking lolS-
ing" he began as the one ON the
second floor back at our disposal yet,
Celie?"
His wife pondered the question u
moment, looking at me with sharp lit
tie eyes.
II do not know" she said at last.
eve shall have to ask NJ. Bethune. He
said he might again have need of it.
He has paid for it until the 18TH"
My heart leaped at the name. l saw
that must take the bull by the horns
assume bold front-for if they waited
to consult my pursuer l should never
gain the information l was seeking.
1T was through NJ. Bethune that l
secured your address," l said boldly.
HE was taken i'll this morning. His
heart, you know" and tapped my
chest.
They nodded looking at me, never
theless, with eyes narrow with sus-
picion.
Yes, monsieur, we know said
Jourdain. 1.-The authorities at the hos
pital at once notified u.s."
at is not the first attack assert
ell, with a tcncrity born OF necessity.
'IIe has had others, but none so seri-
GUS as this
They nodded sympathetically. Plain
ly they had been considerably impress
ed by their lodgcr
80" l 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 l
am to have the second floor back, which
was occupied by the ladies'"
spoke the last word with seeming
nonchalancc, without the CULVER of n
lash, though l was inwardly a-quake,
for l was risking everything upon it.
Then in an instant l breathed more
freely. l saw that had hit the mark
and that their suspicious were gradual
ly growing less.
''They, Of course, are not coming