Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-04
CHAPTER XVII.

me a good deal of the time; but the visitor
whose coming | was expecting every minute
did not arrive till early in the afternoon /
sent out word to Stanley that was exceedingly
busy, and should be glad to be excused; but,
as had confidently expected, he was insistent.
In about quarter OF an hour received him
in the library.
He sank SOFTLY into the chair.toward which
| had pointed. For a moment he sat and
blinked at me behind his gold trimmed spec
tacles. $50 our friend" he murmured has
passed away! 1t is indeed very sad-very sad
indeed"
leaned back in my chair and regarded him
steadfastly. "Mr. Stanley l said, you did
not come here to express your sympathy for
the man whom you have done your best, if
not to kill, at least to brighten to death. Ask
me all the questions you want to, say any
thing you think necessary; only finish it up.
When you leave this room, let me feel that
circumstances will not require any further
meeting between us.
My words seemed to afford Stanley matter
for thought. His brows were slightly puck
cred. | knew that from behind his glasses |
was being subjected to very keen examina-
ton. p" | only trust, Mr.. Courage he said
softly, that the wish you have expressed
may become a possibility. l myself have
always regretted your intervention in this
affair. You are, if you will forgive my saying
SO, in strange waters"
q don't know about that" I answered
curtly. Il don't see now how | could have
done other than / have done. But, anyhow,
I'm sick of it. l don't want to seem discour-
teous; but if you could manage to say to me
in the course of, say, quarter of an hour all
that you have to say, and ask all the questions
you want to, l should be glad to have done
with the whole business, once and for all
NY visitor nodded thoughtfully. very
good, Mr.. Courage" he said. - shall endea-
vor to initiate your frankness. Is there to
be a post BrOrteW,
There is not" l answered. CDR. Rust
does not consider 1t necessary, and am forced
to confess that | cannot see anything to be
gained by it. You and your friends may have
been responsible for his death-I cannot say.
At any rate, | sure that we should never
be able to fix the guilt in the proper quarter.
Stanley shrugged his shoulders slightly. Il
sense, Mr.. Courage" he said. Il pass on now
to more important question. Did our friend,
before he died, impart to you any of the
Authorizations under which he suffered"
He did not" answered II believe that
he intended to; but his death, when it
came, was quite sudden. All the secret in
formation had from him was his name and
the address of his lawyers
There was short silence. I was able to
bear with perfect calmness the keen scrutiny
to which my visitor was subJecting me.
81 congratulate you heartily, Mr. Courage"
he said at last. "Mr. Guest story, if he had
told it to you, would have been a mixture of
stolen facts and Authorizations, which might
nave influenced your lie very 1OrClDly Tor
evil | wished for his DEATH admit it
freely. But l wished it for this reason: be-
cause in all Europe yesterday there did not
breathe a more dangerous man than the man
who called himself Leslie Guest"
We'll, he has gone | said, and his life,
as far as | know of it, has been very sad one.
l have already explained to you my wishes
in the matter. l want to forget as speedily as
possible the events of the last eight days. |
have sent for his lawyer, and am making
rangements for the funeral There is nothing
more to be said or done, except to say good
afternoon to you, Mr.. Stanley
He rose slowly up from his chair " You
are little precipitate, Mr.. Courage" he said;
but l do not know that l blame you.
Do you object to telling me when the funeral
will be-
Il am not myself informed, at present"
answered. 81 waiting for the arrival of
the lawyer" | had risen to my feet, and was
standing with the handle of the door in my
hand.
Stanley took the hint, yet fanced that he
departed unwillingly. Il should like he
admitted, Ito have seen him. and also the
LAWYER"
Then you can find another opportunity"
answered stitfly. Mr.. Guests friends would
receive every consideration from me. His
enemies, | must admit, l cannot, under the
circumstances, see the back of too quickly
Stanley had alternative but to depart,
which he did with good grace as possible.
I was Glad n he alone for a few minutes Nv