New-York tribune., 1906-09-30

words upon Blumentein He was seriously
perturbed, and wholly unable to conceal IT.
''You can prove what you say. Mr. Courage
| supposel" he remarked hesitatingly-
" ABSOLUTELY" | answered. Look in this
weeks Graphic You will see photograph
of me in the Medchestershire cricket team
Come into my room, and | Will show you
letters and papers as many as you please 10
YOU know that gentleman
Certainly" Blumentein answered, bowling
low Good morning, Sir ChareSi
young man in flannel suit and straw
hat sauntered up to us He nodded con
deSCendingy to the hotel manager, ana Snook
hands with
How are YOU, Courage," he said. I'm
coming down to Lords this afternoon to see
the match" He passed on.
Blumenten was distinctly nervous. VIII
you do me the favor to come down to my room
for moment. Mr.. COurage?" he begged
should like to speak to you in private
| followed hin, down into his office
81 have caused the striCteSt inquiries to be
made, and have been unable to obtain the
slightest trace of either the man whom you
say took shelter in your room or the two
others YOU spoke of Under those circurn-
stances, you will understand that your story
did not sound very probable
perhaps not" | admitted; "but | don't
know what Your night porter could have been
about If he really saw nothing OF them l
can give you detailed description OF all
three if YOU like
lone moment" Blumentein said, taking up
pen and paper. "Now, if YOU please.
| described the three men to the best OF
my ability, and Blumentein took down care
fully all that | said.
Il will have the fullest inquiries made" he
promised, "and let YOU know the result In
the meantime, trust that YOU will consider
the letter | wrote you this morning unwrltten
You will doubtless prefer to leave the hotel
after what has happened, but another time L
trust that we may be honored by your patron
age.
| hesitated for a moment. 1t was clear that
the man wanted to get rid of me. For the
first time, the idea of remaining in the hotel
occurred to me.
Il will consider the matter" l answered.
"In the meantime, | hope you will have
inquiries made at once. The man who took
refuge in my room was IN terrible state OF
fright. and, from what | of the other
two, | am afraid you may find this a more
serious affair than you nave any idea of. BY
the by, one of the two told me that they had
engaged every room in that corridor You
NAV be able to trace him by that"
Blumentein shrugged his shoulders That
statement, at any rate, was a false one, he
said All the rooms in the vicinity of yours
were occupied by regular customers"
Now, in all probability, if Blumentein had
looked me in the face when he made this last
statement, should have left the hotel within
half an hour or so for good, and the whole
episode. as far as | was concerned, would have
been ended. But | could not help noticing
q
mans manner, and it flashed into nv mind
suddenly that he knew good deal more than
he meant to tell me. He was keeping some
thing back. The more | watched him, the
more felt certain of it. l determined not to
leave the hotel.
We'll" said, we will look upon the whole
affair last night as misunderstanding.
shall keep my room for tonight, at any
rate"
The mans face expressed anything but
pleasure. lust as You like. Mr.. Courage" he
SAID "Of course, if. under the circumstances.
you preferred to leave us. We should quite
understand it
He walked with me to the door. I hest
tated for moment, and then asked him the
question which had been in my mind for some
time. BY the by, Mr. Bumentein." | said
" II 1t Is a permissible question, NAV | ask
the name of the young lady with whom YOU
were talking in the hall Just nova Young
lady with a French maid and a Japanese
Spaniel."
Blumentein was .PercePtibly Paler. His
eyes were full of suspicion, almost fear Why
do YOU ask me that" he inquired sharply
Out of curiosity, | am afraid" | answered
readily. Il am sorry If | have been indis-
Greet"
The man made an effort 10 recover his COM
pOSure. | could see. though that for some