Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14


come from Liverpool Waiter, two best Scotch
Mr.. Stanley 1 said, Il am glad to know a
be straight talk between you and me, and 1 may
well tell you that do not believe that your name
is Stanley, or that you come from Liverpool
All! 1t is immaterial, he declared softly
Il want to speak to you" | said about the man
Guest up stairs. 1t seems to me that there is a
conspiracy going against him in this hotel. |
want you to understand that am not prepared to
stand quietly aside and him done to death"
My companion laughed softly. He took off his
spectaces and wiped them with silk handkerchief.
Universal? My dear sir, you are letting your indig-
nation run away with you. Consider for moment
what you saying. The hotel is full of visitors
from all parts of England 1t is of the largest
and best known in London. It's reputation"
oh, spare all this rot" interrupted rudely.
Let remind you of what happened two nights
ago, when you broke into my room in search of
Guest"
"Ah!" he remarked THAT, no doubt must have
seemed an odd proceeding to you. But in the first
place, you must remember we had no idea that the
room was occupied. We very anxious to have
matter, and he had irrtated us both by his per-
sstent avoidance of it. We have had little talk
now, and the matter is My partner has al
ready left, and l returning to Liverpool myself
tomorrow or the next day. 1 fear that you were
misled by my language and manner on that unfor-
tunate evening. | am sorry, but must admit that
l was over excited
Very good said. "Then, perhaps, as you
fluent with your explanations, you will tell
why Mr.. Guest has been removed to part of
the hotel which ! am quite sure no one knows
anything about, is being attended by doctor of
most unprepossessing appearance, and nurse who
treats him like jaer?"
"You young men, he declared, "are imagin-
ative! Mr.. Guest has simply been removed to the
part of the hotel which is reserved for sick people.
No one likes to know that they have anybody
next door to them who IS seriously i'll. AS for the
doctor he is highly qualified practitioner and
visits the hotel every day by arrangement with
ma n he
nurses home.
You think, then" continued, that if were
to go to Scotland Yard and tell them all that l
Stanleys eyes twink1ed. why not try it? he
suggested. "There is detective always in attend
ance the premises Send for him now and let us
Very we'll, Mr. Stanley" said 'your explain
ations all sound very reasonable | to take
it. then, that if Mr. Guest desired to-say leave the
hotel tomorrow, no one would make any obJec-
tom"
Stanley was almost distressed. "Objection? Ny
dear sir! Mr.. Guest IS his own master, is he not?
He pays his bill, and he leaves when he likes.
At present of course, he is not able to- but that is
simply matter of health
Il proposing, L said, - to take Mr.. Guest
away with me into the country Tomorrow.
Stanley looked at me steadily. There was subtle
and saw the CLINT of his eyes behind his spectacles
| began to think that l had been rash to lay my
cards upon the table.
Il am afraid" he said gently, THAT you are
proposing what would be certain death to Mr..
Guest in his present state of health
Il afraid" | replied, that if leave him here,
it will also be-to certain death.
Stanley called to the waiter. "One small drink
more, and l must go to bed" he said up to a
certain point, agree with , you | believe that
Leslie Guest is dying man. Whether he stays here
goes makes little difference very little difference
indeed to Your health, Mr.. Courage! fare
we'll drink this, 1 afraid
him. Then rose to my feet; but almost as did SO
l realized what had happened. The floor heaved