Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-02
CHAPTER v.
In Corridor and in Room.

Three-quarters of an hour later Mr. RAN
som and Gerridge stood in close confer
ence before the last mentioned hotel. The
former was peremptory in what he had to
say.
II haven't a particle of confidence in this
newspaper story he declared. Il haven't
much confidence in her letter. 1t is this
man who is working us. He has a hold on
her and has given her this cock and bull
story to tell. A sister! A twin sister come
to light after fifteen years of supposed
burial I find the circumstance entirely
too romantic. Nor does an explanation of
this nature fit the conditions. She was
happy before she saw him in the church.
He isn't her twin sister l tell you the
game is deep one and she is the sufferer.
Her letters betray more than a disturbed
mind; they betray a disturbed brain. That
man is the cause and 1 mean % wiring his
secret from him You are sure of his being
still in the house?"
He was early this morning He has
lived a very quiet life these last-re DAYS,
the life of one waiting. He has not even
had visitors, after that one interview he
held with your wife. 1 have kept careful
watch on him. Though a suspected char
I've had him under my eye.
That's all right and l thank you, Ger
ridge; but it doesn't shake my opinion as
to his being the moving power in this
fraud. For fraud it is and no mistake OF
that / am fully convinced. Shall we go
up? 1 want to surprise him in his own
room where he cannot slip away or back
out"
Leave that business to me; I'll manage it.
If you want to see him in his room. you
SHALL
But this time the detective counted with
out his host. Mr.. Porter was not in his
room, but in one of the halls. They en-
countered him as they left the elevator He
was standing reading newspaper. The
disfigured jaw could not be mistaken. They
stopped where they were and Hooked at
him.
He was intent absorbed. AS they
watched they saw his hands close convul-
sively on the sheet he was holding, while
his lips muttered some words that made
the detective look hard at his companion.
did you hear?" he cautiously inquired,
as Mr.. Ransom stood hesitating. not know
ing whether to address the man or not
mo; what did he say? Do you suppose
he is reading that paragraph
81 haven't a doubt of it: and his words
WERE Here's a damned iie"-very much like
your own. sir
Mr.. Ransom drew the detective few
steps down the corridor.
He said that?''
yes. / heard him distinctly
"Then my theory lis all wrong. This man
didn't provide her with this imaginary twin
sister,
Evidently not"
"And is as surprised as we are"
"And about as much put out Look at
him! Nothing yellow there! We shall have
to go easy with him.
Mr Ransom looked and felt a recoil of
more than ordinary dislike for the man.
The latter had put the paper in his pocket
and was coming their way. His face, once
possibly handsome. for his eyes and fore
head were conspicuously fine. showed dis
tortion quite apart from that given by his
physical Disagreement. He was not SIM
ply angry. but in a mental and moral rage,
and 1t made him more than hideous; 1t
made him appalling. Yet he said nothing
and moved along very quietly. making, to