The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-01-12

a moment were rolling back over the
route we had traversed that morning
ages ago, as it seemed to me! 1t was
only few minutes after 3 o'clock
and l reflected that L should yet have
time to complete the papers in the
Hurd case before leaving for the night
Mr.. Graham was still at his desk
End he at once demanded an account
Of the hearing. l went back to my
work, and so caught only word here
and there-enoUgh, however, to show
me that our senior was deeply inter
ested in this extraordinary affair. AS
for me, Put all thought of it resolute-
ly from rae and devoted myself to the
work in hand. 1t was done at last,
and l locked my desk with a sigh of
relief Mr.. Graham nodded to me
kindly as PASSED out. and I left the
Disco with the comfortable feeling
that haI Isne q lood days work for
myself as well as for my employers.
A man who had apparently been
lettering in the hall followed me int1
the elevator.
This is Mr.. Lester, isn't it," he
asked as the car started to descend.
YES" l said, looking at him in sur
prise. He was well dressed, with
a.ert eyes and strong, pleasing face. l
had never seen him before.
And you're going to dinner, aren't
you, Mr.. Lcster?" he continued.
70
and more surprised
"Now, don't think me impertinent,"
he said, smiling at my look of amaze
ment. but l want you to dine with
me this evening. l can promise you
as good a meal as you will get at most
places in New York"
But Pm not dressed" protested.
'That doesn't matter in the least
neither am l, you see. We will dine
without others"
"Where?" l questioned.
"Well, how would the Studio suit?"
The car had reached the ground floor,
and we left it together | was COM
pletely In the dark as to my compan-
ions purpose, and yet it could have but
one explanation-it must be connected
in some way with the Holiday case.
Unless-aud I glanced at him again.
No, certainly. he was not confidence
if he was, would rather
welcome the adventure. My curiosity
won the battle.
VERY wel;," l said. "Ill be glad to
accept your invitation, Mr.
He nodded approvingly.
'There spoke the man Of sense.
Well, you shall not go unrewarded.
Godfrey is my name-no, you don't
know me, but I'll soon explain myself.
Here's my cab"
l mounted into 1t, he after me. 1t
seemed to me that there was an I'M
usual number of loiterers about the
door of the building, but we were off
in moment, and / did not give them
a second thought. We ratified out into
Broadway aud turned northward for
the three mile straightaway run to
Union square noticed in a moment
that we were going at a rate of speed
rather exceptional for cab, and 1t
steadily increased as the driver found
1 clear road before him. My compan-
on threw up the trap in the roof of
he cab as we swung around into Thir
-eenth street.
"All right, Sam?' he called.
The driver grinned down at us
through the hole.
All right. sir" he answered. "They
couldn't stand the pace a little bit.
They're distanced"
The trap snapped down again. We
urned into Sixth avenue and stopped
II moment before the Studio, gray
md forbidding without, but dream
within. Ny companion led the way Up
Iairs to q private room. where table |
tood, ready set for us. The oysters
appeared before we were fairly seated. |
You See he smiled, II made bold |
0 believe that you'd come with me, |
NJ 50 had the dinner already ordered"
+, / looked at him without replying. y |
ya5 comp etely in the dark. CoUH |
his be the writer of the mysterious