New-York tribune., 1906-12-09
CHAPTER XXXu.


an excellent testimonial to my altered appear
ance that the man who answered the door.
and whom | had known all my HE, declined
promptly TO admit me.
SIR Gilbert IS lust going out, he said " He
is too busy this morning 10 see anyone
| kept my foot in the door. He told me
to come" / declared. Il cannot 60 away
without seeing him
Then YOU can stay where You are he de
Clared trying to close the door. on can see
him as ne comes out.
stepped by him quickly. He was a small
man. but he seized me pluckily by the collar.
lust then We heard Il door open. and my
cousin stepped out dressed for the street
What IS the matter, Groves, he asked
." This fellow has forced his way in, sir 3" the
man answered. He says that YOU told hIm
To come"
Ny cousin stood drawing on his gloves, and
eved me superciliousIv - think" he re
marked. that that Is a mistake. isn't II.
am quite sure that | have never seen You
before IN my life.
felt inclined to smile; but the man was
watching
Il have some business with YOU. sir.
said deferentially. am not begging, and |
will not keep YOU longer than two minutes.
Nv cousin stepped back into the sitting
room. | followed HIM and took the liberty OF
closing the door after me Then | took on
my hat, drew myself up To my full height, and
/ p
at much pains T. acquire.
Don't YOU know me, Gilbert | asked
He started al the sound OF my Voice and
took a quick step toward me. l held out my
God in Heaven, Its Hardross!" he ex-
claimed
| laughed as our hand, met Il shall not
| bother about my disguise any longer, | re
marked 1t Is evidently better even than
had hoped"
He wrung my hand I was delighted to
see that there was nothing IN his face but
| Joy.
odd chap" he exclaimed I'm delighted.
| Il heap. For Heavens sake talk / should
like t. he quite sure that m awake"
| You're awake all right, | answered. " as
sure as I'm alive. How we'll YOU look IN black
| old man! | suppose II 5 Tor me,
| He nodded. How ON earth, he exclaimed,
could the papers have made such Il mis-
They weren't SO much to blame \ man
was murdered in the Rockies who called
himself Hardrpss Courage, and who was
travelling with my traps, Only You see 1t
-A man who called himself Har,lross Cour-
age" Gilbert repeated hewlldered. 1t an
uncommon name
The men who killed him" answered,
thought that they had killed me. Its a
long story, Gilbert I've come here 70 tell
YOU little of II. II YOU spare the time
Time Of course | can he declared.
Wait one moment while | g To the tele-
phone"
checked him ON the way 10 the door. Not
| a word of this To- anyone, Gilbert. / SaId " not
even 70 Groves there
He nodded and hurried out ot the room.
When he returned, he had taken off his hat
and overcoat. He drew UP two easy chairs
and produced ;t box of cigars
- Now then" he exclaimed, Tor the mys-
terie>, BY Iove, m glad L. see YOU, HarIro,s'
Light one of those-they' 're the old >ort-and
g ahead.
You're not a nervous person. are You.
Gilbert | asked quietly.
Il don't think So. he answered. You We
given my nerve, & pretty good tc-t just now,
| think Why do YOU ask
" Because | am going u tell YOU secrets. l
answered, and because there are men IN the
world. men IN London close L. Us. who, II
they knew, would Kill Us both a0 sight.
i am NOT "a coward. If that Is what You
mean Gilbert answered. " ru ought Z,
know that, tro ahead
told him everything. When | hlj finished
he sat staring at me like "a man ~tupctci
suppose he said AT last. looking from his cN-
tiuct cigar into my face. that | am not 10y
any chance dreaming IL = vou. my cousin
Harlro>, who has told me tins amazing
II lrN