Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-10-02
CHAPTER "


The Waffle Tree Hotel, to which Mr.
Mcintosh had directed Pierre, was a quiet
little public house in a quiet street 1t
was far away from the main thorough
fares of the city and stranger had to
go UP any number of quiet streets to get
to it and turn and twist round corners
and down narrow lanes until it became
perfect miracle how he ever found the
hotel at all.
Any one going into the bar could see
old Simon-a stolid, fat man with a
sleepy looking face always in his shirt
sleeves and wearing a white apron sitting
in chair at the end while his daughter, a
sharp, red-nosed damsei vino was So
years of age, and confessed TO %, served
out the meals. Mrs. Twexby had long
ago departed this life, leaving behind her
the sharp red-nosed damsel to be her
fathers comfort. As a matter of fact, she
was just the opposite. and Simon often
wished that his daughter had departed
to better world in company with her
mother. Thin, tight-laced, with a shrill
voice and an calculated temper Miss
Twexby was still spinster, and not even
the fact of her being an heiress could
tempt any of the Ballarat youth to lead
her to the altar. Consequently Miss Twex-
by's temper was not a golden one and
she ruled the hotel and its inmates with
rod of iron.
Mr. Villiers was frequent customer at
the Waffle Tree, and was in the back
parlor talking TO old Twexby on the day
that Pierre arrived. The dumb man came
into the bar out of the dusty road. and,
leaning over the counter. pushed letter
under Miss Twexby's nose, and although
it was directed to her father, Miss Twex-
by, who managed everything, opened it
and found it was from Mcintosh, saying
that the bearer, Pierre Lebaire. was to
have bed for the night. meals and what
| ever else he required, and that he-McIn-
tosh-would be responsible for the money.
He furthermore added that the bearer
was dumb.
''Oh. so you are dumb. are your said
Miss Twe1by, folding up the letter and
looking complacentiy at Pierre. Il wish
there were a few more men the same
way then, perhaps, we'd have less chat"
Meanwhile, Villiers having heard the
name of Pierre Lemaire. and knowing he
was engaged in the Pactoius claim. came
round TO see him and try TO find out all
about the nugget. Pierre was sulky at
first, and sat with his oli olack hat drawn
down so far over his eyes that only his
bushy black beard was visible but Mr..
Nilliers' suavity, together with the pres
ent of half a crown. had a marked effect
on him. AS he was dumb, Mr.. Villiers
somewhat perplexed how to carry on
conversation with him, but he ultimately
drew forth piece Of paper. and sketched
rough presentation of nugget there
on. which he showed TO Pierre. The
Frenchman. however, did not comprehend
until Villiers produced a sovereign from
his pocket, and pointed first to the gold.
and then to the drawing, upon which
Pierre nodded his head several times in
order TO show that he understood. VII
liers then drew a picture Of the Pactolus
claim, and asked Pierre in French if the
nugget was still there. as he showed him
the sketch. Pierre shook his head, and.
taking the pencil in his Sand, drew a
rough representation of horse and cart,
and put square box in the latter 10
show the nugget was on a journey.
"Hullor' said Villiers TO himself. its
not az her own house. and she's driving
somewhere with il: i wonder where to-
She's got the nugget with her in the trap,
and she's taken il TO show Marchurst.
Well. she's sure TO stop there TO tea, and
won't start for home till about nine
o'clock; it will be pretty dark by then.
She'll be By herself and il T. here be