The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-02-16

but made no reference whatever to the
matter upon which he had been en-
gagged when we We're interrupted. AT
the top of the stairway he took his arm
from mine.
IF you will excuse ME for few
minutes, Mr.. Greatorex," he said, Il
will join you in the dining ROOM"
He walked backward a few yards
toward the room which l had learned
was his bedroom, and as he did so the
lean figure of the deferential innkeepeI
rose out of the gloom as if to meet
him. l myself went down into the
courtyard, and then found my way
into the large oaken dining room.
When he entered, some few minutes
later, l was astounded by the change
in his face. Naturally pale, it was now
of peculiar and CHASTITY pallor, which
gave his head almost the appearance
of skull Laying a finger on my arm
he spoke quite sharply.
"Mr. Greatorex," said he, you can
do me a particular favor if you WILL"
! listened, murmuring my willingness
"Can you drive me to Raymond at
once? l will have the horses put in
the dogcart."
Most certainly" l answered, staring
and at loss for more words.
II owe you many thanks" he said
and, slipping away with that noiseless
tottering gait of his, he disappeared
into the courtyard.
1t was not fifteen minutes ere we
were upon the road. drove the mare
at rapid pace, being conscious Of my
companions restlessness, and for g
lime he spoke no word save to direct
ne at the crossroads, but lay back ON
ais seat with his arms folded, his hat
covering upon his eyes and his eyes
liked upon the immediate puryiew. But
after awhile he uttered little sigh, rs
IF one whose deliberations had relieved
MIN, and turned a mild eye upon me. p
You drive well, my friend he said.
From all appearances you have i,
hard nerve. 1t is well. 1t is well. 1t
is the one thing l have aimed at, and
{ might have succeeded had not my
sscendants weakened the blood"
| told him that so far as | could see
ae had no reason to complain of his
nerve.
you think so? Then it seems that
YOU are not only a silent but an Oh
serving person." he said, smiling. But
you are wrong-you are wrong. Never
theless, | am glad to find you so OBJ
servant. My dear sir, there is nothing
go important as observation. Educa
ton and breeding and birth, these you
may buy or feign, but observation is
the measure of mans character"
With that he sank into silence once
more, nor, so far as | can recall, did
we exchange one sentence till we ar
rived in Raymond.
We drew up in the main street, off
large and formless building, upon the
door of which was emblaZoned the
name of a solicitor and public notary.
And here, begging me to await him,
the old gentleman alighted and entered
the house 1t was not very long after
ward that he reappeared with a pleas
ant little lawyer behind him, and no.
ticed that he himself seemed very well
pleased He talked as if load was
off his mind; but, to tell the truth,
felt that it was time | had some eX-
PLANTATION. 1t was not that | grudged
the old gentleman my fellowship, such
as it was, and it certainly was not that
| was tired of the experience. Quite
the contrary | was tantalized by
these strange tastes of adventure. My
nose took up the scent of mystery as a
hound shifts the air. and when | spoke
so abruptly it was only in the wish to
let him understand that | thought my
fidelity had earned its wages.
aft is we'll to he armed at all DOintS