Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-07
THE GREAT SECRET
Continued from page 10

some strange ideas to my friend and myself.
Possibly Mr.. Guest himself is responsible for
them. A very excitable person at timesl"
You had better take me to him, if that is
your Grand" | said shortly. This sort of
conversation between you and me is rather
waste of time.
Certainly" he answered. Twill YOU follow
me?"
We took the lift to the sixth floor, traversed
an entire corridor, and then, mounting short
and narrow flight of stairs, arrived at passage
with three or four doors 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 the doors of the rooms A 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 to pass.
"a nice quiet part of the hotel this" my
guide remarked, glancing toward me.
Very" | answered dryly.
"a man might be hidden here very securely"
he added
81 can well believe it, l assented.
He knocked softly on the third door on the
left. A woman's voice answered him. A
moment later the door was opened by a nurse
in plain hospital dress.
Good evening nurse" my companion said
cheerfuly. This gentleman would like to see
Mr.. Guest Is he awaken"
The nurse opened the door little wider,
which | took for invitation to enter. She
outside.
The room was a small one, and furnished
after the usual hotel fashion. The only light
burning heavily shaded electric larGp,
placed by the bedside. The nurse raised it
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
1a- a1,t
of strong and instructive dislike to her, from
the moment | 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. Your"
l sat down on the edge of the bed "You
am sorry you are feeling sick. Nothing Serious
hope?"
He ignored my words. He was looking at
me all the time. as though inclined to doubt
come up here" 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 uneasily "Stoop down."
The nurse came forward with 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.
- have had two doses to-day" he answered.
Quite enough, | think. Set it down and go
away, please. l want to talk to this gentle
man
Talking is not good for you" she said,
without moving; Better take your medicine
and go to sleep"
He took the glass from her hand, and with
a glance at its contents which puzzled me,
drank it off. Now will you go?" he asked,
handing back the glass to her.
She dragged her chair to the bedside. eff
you will talk" she said stolidly. Il must
watch that you do not excite yourself too
much"
He glanced meaningy at me. Il have
private matters to discuss" he said.
You are not well enough to talk of private
matters, or anything else important" she
declared. You will excite yourself. You
will bring on the fever. | remain here to
sat down heavily within few feet of us.
l nodded Fairly WELL
Watch her! See whether she seems to
understand. | want to speak of what she
must not hear"
She half rose from her chair AS far as her
features could express anything, they ex-
pressed disquetude
She does not understand" l said. go
on"