Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-03-22
CHAPTER XvIII.-(Continued.) }

The jeweler appeared mystifed. Ger
tainly Charlues Baumgarten did not look
like man who would deny his own re-
sponsibility; moreover, the young barris-
.ter's irrepFoachable character was well
known. Yet Mr.. White knew that he
had come in and bought the jewelry.
at is altogether absurd" said Charles.
"You must be mistaking me for some one
else. Had l bought jewelry, l should
have paid for it in cash, tell you; not
by bill"
"What shall you do?" asked Mr.. Jeph-
son.
II shall sleep upon it; and perhaps
have quiet word with a gentleman de-
tective."
AS he gained Pump Court, having
wished Godfrey Jephson good evening,
and turning into it in a brown study,
a whistle high up greeted him. Gazing
upward, Charles perceived the face and
whiskers of friend of his looking out
from the window of some chambers not
far from his own.
"Hi, Baumgarten Come up"
"Can't. Have some work to do"
-'Then take the consequences"
A shower of something liquid was in
preparation of descent. Charles Baum
garten made a dash, and disappeared up
she stairs. Peter Chester-a grandson
of that old Mr.. Chester who was once
rector of Great Whitton, received Charles
with basin of hot soup in his hand.
You'd have caught it nicely, Charley,
basin and all Just look at the precious
stuff she concocts for a fellow, dying,
pretty near, of an infamed throat /!
told her beef tea, and she goes and makes
this"
Charley knew of the storms that Peter
Chester, who, like himself, lived in his
chambers for economy's sake, and his old
Iaundress had together. "Is your throat
no better?" he asked.
much you care whether it's better OF
worse ~ retorted Peter Chester, slight
young man, with a delicate face and
Baumgarten. You promised to come in
and sit with fellow last night, but
deuce a bit came you"
81 added If | could Peter"
"Well, if you could not-that's to say
as you did not-you might have sent Joe
in to tell me so. Just get i'll yourself
and see how lively your evenings would
be with your throat in flannel, expecting
q fellow who never comes !"
81 was coming in at eight o'clock, when
old Tompkins called in, and talked ovel
old times. Every quarter of an hour
thought he'd go; instead of which he
stuck on till eleven o'clock"
You'll shine at the bar, Charley
when you can invent a white lie after
that rapid fashion, and stare man il
the face as you tell it."
"Tomkins was in my chambers"
''Tomkins might be. But you wer'
not"
'What do you mean, PeterT'
Peter Chester was looking at him, ant
Laughing in a most provoking manner
Il don't see why you should make {
mystery of it, Baumgarten," he said. 81
you did choose to go out and enjoy your
self, instead of passing the evening will
sick chum, there's no reason why yol
should not admit it. Only you nigh
have dropped me half a word. Who wa
the lady? Come, Charley; confession
good for the conscience"
Tell me what you want me to con
fess, and perhaps l may do it. I'm al
in the dark"
''Oh, of course" mockingly returne
Peter Chester. "But a truce to jestine
old fellow" he added in different tone
why need you keep 1t so quiet? VIII
was the lady?"
"What lady"
THAT you escorted last night to tn
Haymarket. Grand tier; first row."
Il was not at the Haymarket las
night" returned Charles.
"Oh, but you were," answered Pete
Chester, with an emphasis that unmi.
takably pronounced his own belief it.
Hear me a minute, Chester" quetl
returned Charles. II have this evenin
been pretty nearly persuaded out of m
own identity, and | don't care to entt
upon another discussion of a simluar nj
ture. l have told you that Tomkir
was with me last night until elueve
O'Clock, and / told you the truth. | d
not stir out of my chambers, and by
quarter past eleven l was in bed"
When we assert thing in good fait
II is somewhat annoying to find the a
sertion received doubtfulluy Peter Che
ter stared at Charles. He knew him to
truthful; but he did not believe him no
and Charles saw he didn't.
Charles stayed with him until t,
o'clock, and then went home to his char
bes, letting himself in with his lat
key.
CHAPTER XIX.
Early the following morning, VIII
Charles was at his breakfast, and befo
/. the arrival Of his clerk, he was surpris
T. ,;.;t h.