Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-01-07


 but made no reference whatever to the matter upon which he had been en- gagged when we were interrupted. At the top of the stairway he took his arm from mine.
 "If you will excuse me for a few minutes, MT. GreatoreX,' he said, "I will ,jo.n you i,i the dining room.'
 He walked baci." ward q few yards toward the room which I had learned was his bedroom, and as he did so the lean figure of the deferential innkeeper rose out of the gloom as if to meet him. iHysef went down into the courtyard, and then found my way into the large oaken dining room
 When he entered, some few minutes later, l was Hstounded by the change in his face. Naturally pale, it was now of q peculiar and ghastly pallor, which gave his head almost tile appearance of a skull. Laying Il finger on my arm. he spoke quite sharply.
 "Mr GreatorcX,' said he, you can do me d particular favor if you will" l listened. murml9ring my willingness. Can you drive me to EarmoRd at once? 1 will have the horses put in the dogcart."
 Most certainly" I answered, staring and at q loss for mere worf!s.
 q owe you many thanks." he said. and, slipping away with that nosccss tottering gait of his, he disappeared into the courtyard.
 It was not fifteen minutes ere we were upon the road. I drove the mare at q rapid pace. being conscious of my companions restlessness, and for a me at the crossroads, but lay back on his seat with his arms folded, his hat lowering upon his eyes and his eyes fixed upon the immediate purview But after awhile Ae uttered q little sigh. as of one whose deliberations had relieved him. and turned a mild eye upon me.
 You drive well. my friend,' he said. "FroAl all appearances you have q hard nerve. It is we'll It is well. It is the one thing I have aimed at. and l might have succeeded had not my ascendants weakened the blood.'
 1 told him that so far as 1 could see he had no reason to complain of his nerve.
 You think so? Then it seems that you are not only silent but an ob serving person." he said smiling. .'But you are wrong-you are wrong. Never theless, am glad to find you so ob- servant. My dear sir. there is nothing so important as observation. Educa- 4: may buy or feign, but observation is the measure of a mans character" With that he sank into silence once more, nor, so far as l can recall, did We exchange one sentence till we ar rived in Raymond.
 We drew up ill the main street, off a large and formless building upon the door of which was emblaZonel the name of d solicitor and public notary And here, begging me to await him, the old gentleman alighted and entered the house. It was not very long after ward that he reappeared with q pleas ant little lawyer behind him. and l no- ticed that he himself seemed very well pleased. He talked as if a load was off his mind: but, to tell the truth. 1 felt that it was time l had some eX- planatioE. It was not that I grudged the old gentleman my fellowship. such as it was. and it certainly was not that I was tired of the experience. Quite the contrary. l was tantalzed by these strange tastes of adventure. My nose took up the scent of mystery as a hound snitfs the air, and when 1 spoke so abruptly it was only in the wish to let him understand that thought my fidelity had earned it's wages.
 Ut is well to be armed at all points, my friend" he had remarked compla- gently II find a complete equipment is a solace against possible evils"
 That's very true,' said, "and l am delighted if my small services this afternoon have, as it would secm been the happy occasion of suggesting to you this comfortable reflection But ! now, if you will excuse me. Mr. kcs- teven, I will put my thanks in your hands for very agreeable hospitality and
 He was visibly disconcertcd, as l had hoped he would be.
 i he demanded after q pause in which he recovered.
 My dear sir" l replied, "I have been thrust upon you, complete stranger, for day and q night.'
 His face suffused with amusement Il don't think we are strangers to each other, Mir. GreatoreX," he observed quietly "I dare say wa understand one another better than appears. If. however, it be any relief to your con science, assure you that am much better for your company But" he added dryly, Il should be the last to hold you if your duty claims you else where''
 We looked at each other for mo ment ill which time 1 noted Il twinkle gieamng in his eyes. and then sinu l tanpOnSlV tIi,,1-