New-York tribune., 1906-10-07
THE GREAT SECRET
Continued from page 10

be pardOned for saying so, very imaginative
person, Mr.. Courage; but You certainly nave
some strange ideas as TO my friend and myself.
Possibly Mr.. Guest himself IS responsible for
them \ very excitable person at tirnesl"
You had better take me to him, II that IS
YOUR errand" 1 said shortly. This sort of
conversation between you and me IS rather
waste of time.
Certainly" he answered. Will you follow
me2"
We took the lift to the sixth floor traversed
an entire corridor, and then, mounting a short
and narrow flight of stairs, arrived at passage
with three or four doors on either side and no
exit at the farther end. We seemed TO be
entirely cut off from the main portion of the
hotel, and / noticed that there were no num-
bers on the doors OF the rooms tall and
powerful looking man came to the head OF the
stairs. on hearing our footsteps, and regarded
us suspiciously Directly he recognized my
companion, however, he allowed us 10 pass
'A nice quiet part of the hotel this" my
guide remarked, glancing toward me-
Very" | answered dryly.
y man might be hidden here very securely,
Il can we'll believe it." assented
He knocked softly on the third door on the
left. \ wOmans voice answered HIM A
moment later the door was opened by nurse
IN plain hospital dress.
Good evening, nurse" my companion said
cheerfully This gentleman would like TO see
Mr.. Guest. Is he awakes"
The nurse opened the door a little wider,
which | took for an invitation to enter She
closed it softly behind me. My guide remained
outside.
The room was a small one. and furnished
after the usual hotel fashion. The only light
burning was heavily shaded electric lamp,
a little and looked down upon the man who
lay there mOtiOnless.
He is asleep" she remarked. 1T is time
he took his medicine. | must wake him.
She spoke with pronounced foreign accent.
Her fair hair and StOlid features left me little
doubt as to her nationality. | was conscious
of a strong and instructive dislike 10 her, from
the moment l heard her speak and watched
her bending over the bed | think that her
face was one of the most unsympathetic which
| had ever seen
She poured some medicine into glass, and
turned on another electric light. Her patient
woke at once. Directly he opened his eyes,
he recognized me with little start.
YOU" he exclaimed. YOU"
l sat down on the edge of the bed. You
haven't forgotten me, them" | remarked. Il
am sorry you are feeling sick. Nothing serious,
| hODe?"
He ignored my words He was looking at
me all the time, as though inclined TO doubt
come up hcre." he asked in a whisper.
." | made inquiries about YOU, and got per-
mission to come up answered. How are
YOU feeling this evening"
." don't understand why they let You come,
he said uneaSv. "StOop down.
The nurse came forward with a wine glass.
"Will You take your medicine please," she
said.
Presently" he answered Put it down"
She glanced at the clock and held the glass
out once more. 1t Is past the time she said.
81 have had two doses to-day, he answered.
Quite enough | think. Set it down and go
away, please. | want TO talk to this gentle
man"
Talking is not good for YOU" She said
without moving. Better take Your medicine
and go 10 sleep"
He took the glass from her hand and, with
a glance at its contents which puzzled me,
drank II off Now VIII YOU go:" he asked,
handing back the glass 10 her.
She dragged her chair TO the bedside. If
you will talk" she said stolidlv. Il must
watch that you do not excite yourself too
much"
He glanced meaningly at me. Il have
private matters to discuss, he said.
You are not we'll enough to talk OF private
matters or anything else important She
declared. You will excite yourself. You
will bring on the fever remain here 10
watch. 1t is by the doctors orders" She
sat down heavily within few feet of us.
You speak French," Guest asked me.
/ nodded. Fairly we'll"
u