Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-11-06
CHAPTER XXI.

thoughts were anything but pleasant. Not
that he was thinking about Kitty, for
he regarded the scene he had with her as
merely an outburst of hysterical passion,
and did not dream shu would take any
serious step. At the hotel he picked up
the evening paper and glanced over it with
yawn, when a name caught his eye
which he had frequently noticed before.
Il say" he said to a tall, fair young
fellow who had just entered, ''who is this
Meddlechip the paper is full OFF,
Don't you know" said the other, in
surprise; ''he's one of our richest men,
and very generous with his money"
''Oh, l see. buys popularity" replied
Vandeloup, coolly; chow is it I've never
met him"
Hes been to China or Chili-or-
something commencing with a c." return
ed the young man, vaguely; "he only
came back to Melbourne last week; you
are sure to meet him sooner or later"
Vandeloup was so occupied with his
own thoughts that he did not notice two
gentlemen who came in, taking seats lit
tie distant from him. They were both
in evening dress and had apparently left
the opera in order to talk business, for
they kept conversing eagerly, and their
voices striking on Vandeloup's ear, he
glanced round at them and then relapsed
into his former inattentive position. Now,
however, though apparently absorbed in
his own thoughts, he was listening to ev-
cry word they said, for he had caught the
name of 1.-The Maggie Reef" a quartz
mine, which had lately been foated on
the market, the shares of which had run
up to a pound, and then, as bad reports
were circulated about it, dropped suddenly
to four shillings. Vandeloup recognized
one as Barraclough, well-known stock
broker, but the other was a dark. wiry-
looking man of medium height, whom he
had never seen before.
Il tell you it's a good thing" said Bar
raclough, vehemently laying his hand on
the table; 'Tollerby is the manager, and
knows everything about it."
A noise disturbed Vandeloup, as a
crowd of gentlemen came thronging in
Barty was among them, and he thought he
would speak to him on the subject. Barty
was clever little fellow, and seemed al
ways able to get money. Perhaps he
would be able to assist him. He stepped
out of the balcony into the light and
touched Barty on the shoulder as he stood
amid his friends.
"HullO it's your cried Barty, turning
round "Where have you been, old chap?
Come and have supper with We are
going to have some at Leslie'S."
"Yes, do come" urged Bellthorp, COM
panion, putting his arm in that of Vande
loup's; well have no end of fun"
Vandeloup was just going to accept, as
he thought on the way he could speak
privately to Barty about this scheme he
had, when he saw a stout gentleman at
the end of the room taking a cup OF
coffee at the counter, and talking to an
other gentleman who was very tall and
thin. The figure of the stout gentleman
seemed familiar to Vandeloup and at this
moment he turned slowly round and look
ed down the room. CASTOR gave a start
when he saw his face, and then smiled in
gratified manner to himself
"Who is that gentleman with the cot
fee?" he asked Barty.
Those stout ard lean kine?" said Bar
ty. airily. Puts one in mind of Pha.
raohs dream, doesn't it?"
Eyes, yes % retorted CASTOR, impatient.
ly; but who are they?"
"The long one is Fell, the railway con-
tractor" said Barty, glancing with some
surprise at Vsnieloup, land the other is
old Meddlechip. the millionaire"
"Meddlechip," echoed Vandeloup, as il
TO himself; my faith!"
do you know him?"
al fancy l do" said Vandeioup, with
a strange smile. You must excuse me to
your supper tonight"
CASTOR sauntered slowly up TO the cof-
fee bar, and asked for cup in his usual
musical voice. but when the stout gentle
man heard him speak he turned pale and
looked up. The thin one had gone off to
talk TO some one else, so when Vandeloul
got his coffee he turned slowly round and
looked straight at Meddlechip seated in
the chair.
Good evening. NJ. Kestrike," he said
quietly.
Meddlechip, whose face was usually red
and florid looking, turned CHASTITY pale
and sprang TO his feet.
Octave Braulard ~ he gasped, placing
his coffee cup on the counter.
AT your service" said Vandeloup, look
ing rapidly round TO see that no one over
heard the name, but here 1 am CASTOR
| Vandeloup."
Meddlechip passed his handkerchief over
his face and moistened his dry lips with
his tongue
How did you get here?" he asked, in
a strangled voice.
Its a long story" said NJ. Vandeloup
putting his coffee cup down and wiping
his lips with his handkerchief: suppose
we so and have supper somewhere. and
| I'll tell you all about it."
II don't want any supper" said Med.
| dlechip, sullenly, his face having regained
its normal color.
Possibly not, but do" replied Van
deloup, sweetly, taking his arm; "come
let us 60"
Meddlechip did not resist, but walked
passively out of the bar with vandeloup,
much TO the establishment of the thin
gentleman, who called out to him bu;
without getting any answer,
Meddlechip went to the cloak room and
put on his coat and hat. Then he follow
ed Vsndeloup down the stairs aud paused
at the door while the Frenchman hailed
hanson. When il drove up. however,
he stopped short at the edge of the pave
Tnent.
Il won't 60" he said, determinedly.
Vandeloup looked at him with a pecu-
liar CLEAN in his dark eyes, and bowed.
let me persuade you. Monsieur" he
said, blandly, holding the door of the
cab open.
Meddlecap glanced at him, and then,
with sigh of resignation, entered the
cab. followed by Vsndeloup.
Where to. sir?" asked the cabman,
| through the trap.
ITO Leslie's Supper Rooms" replied the
Frenchmau. and the cab drove Of.
Leslie's Supper Rooms in Bourks
Street East were very well known. and
were soon reached by the two men.
Now, then. sir" ssid Meddlechip,
sharply. what did you bring me here
forl You must leave Australia"