Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28
CHAPTER XIV.

~UEST for the remainder of the morning seemed
= to have fallen into sort of stupor. He
~ declined to sit in the garden or come dowr
to lunch When went up to his room, ne " was
dressing gown wrapped around him. He openec
his eyes when came in, but waved me away.
Il am thinking" he said: Don't interrupt me
| want to be alone for hour or So.
But you must have something to eat IN
sisted. "You will lose your strength if you don't
Quite right he admitted Send me up some
soup, and let me have pencil and paper.
He was supplied with both. When went up ar
hour later he was smoking cigarette and writing
Il do not wish" he said, to be worried with
any doctors. 1t is only farce, and nave
"Nonsense! | answered "Rust declares thai
there is very little the matter with you. He ha:
sent for friend to come and have look al
YOU"
little gesture of impotence escaped him
MY dear Courage" he said, L am obliged te
you for all this care; but l am quite sure tina
that it is sheer waste of time He drew his
dressing gown a little closer around him. The
hollows under his eyes seemed to have grown deeper
since the morning.
Il am fairly run to earth he continued.
Even these few hours of life l owe to my
enemies. They hope to profit by them, OF course
If YOU are the man think you are, they will be
mistaken. But don't waste my time with doctors
He began to write again. l made some per-
functory remark which he entirely ignored Just
then was called away. He watched my depar-
ture with obvious relief.
l was told that a stranger was waiting to see
me in the library. My first thought was of the
doctor. When l arrived there, l found young
man whose face familiar, but whom could
not at place. Then like flash L re-
membered. 1t the younger of the two men
who had forced their way into my room at the
Hotel Universal.
Now, l in very good humor for dealing
with these gentry had distinct inclination
to take him by the collar of the coat and throw
him out | fancy that he OWNED from my face
how | was feeling, for he began hastily to explain
II am very sorry to be intruder, Mr. Cour-
NO wish to come at all. We We're Wiling to leave
you undisturbed. But do not understand
why you have sent for doctor from London,
and especially Professor Kauppmann"
looked at him deliberately. He was wearing
English clothes, dark tweed suit i'll cut, and
apparently ready made, but the foreigner was
written large all over him. from the tie OF his bow
to his narrow patent boots. His eyes were hxed
anxiously upon me, large black eyes with long
feminine eye lashes l think that if he had not
been under the shelter of my own roof, l must
have laid violent hands upon him.
why the deuce should you understand" |
exclaimed. Mr.. Guest is my visitor, and if
choose to send for doctor to see him, it is my
business and nobody's else. If you have come here
with any idea of bullying me, am afraid you have
wasted your time.
You have evidently" he answered mot
troubled yourself to understand the situation. Mr.
Guest is prisoner"
Your WHAT" | exclaimed.
"Our prisoner" the young man answered. Let
ask you this. Has Mr. Guest himself encouraged
you in your attempt to interfere between him and his
inevitable fate? No, l am sure that he has not
He accepts what he knows must happen. A few
days or less of life, what do they matter?"
"You make me feel inclined" said grimly, to
test your theory.
The young man stepped back. My fingers were
itching to take him by the throat, and think that
he read the desire in my face. " Will you allow me
to see Mr.. Guest?" he asked.
No! I'm hanged if l will!' answered. IL