Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-04-04

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| table at my elbow.
You are very good" he said. and
then. az he stepped forward and saw
me more distinctly, he uttered Il little
exclamation OF surprise. "Ah. 1t is
MtStair-"
tated.
1T is a grea, pleasure" ne was say
Ing. as he took the matches; "a great
good fortune which brought mo to
this house. So lonely one grows at
times-and then. ! greatly desire some
advice. IL you would have the leisure
~"certainly." and 1 waved toward a
chair. Sit down"
I'm one moment" he said. You will
pardon me-" and he disappeared
through the doorway.
He was back almost at once with n
handful of cisarets. which he placed
With q little deprecatery gesture. he
used one OF my matches to light a ci-
garet.
ut was truly for the gas" he said.
catching my smile: and the gas for
the Cigaret!"
There was something fascinating
about he man.; an air OF good humor,
of ~cornradeship. of strength. OF pur-
pose. My eyes We're caught by his
stodsy. nervous hands. as he held the
match to his cigaret. then they wan
dered to his face-to the olack hair
lecked here and there with gray: to
tho bright. deep-set eyes. ambushed
under heavy brows; to the full lips,
which the carefully-arranged mustache
did not at all conceal: to the project
Ing chin, with its little plume of an
imperial. 4 strong face and a not un-
handsome one. with u certain look of
mastery about it
1T is true that need advice" he
was saying. as he slowly exhaled
great puff of smoke which he had
drawn deep into his lungs. My name
is Neutrality-suspicious. Martigny"-I
nodded by way of salutation-"and /
am from France. as you have doubtless
long since suspected. 1t is my desire
to become a citizen OF Amer-ric'."
How long have you been living in
American" 1 asked.
Since two months only. 1t is my
intention to establish here a business
in Wines"
Well" I explained. you can take
no steps toward naturalization for three
and make a declaration of your inten-
lions. Two years later. you will get
your papers,"
You mean." ne hesitated. that it
takes so many years"
Five years actual residence-yes.''
But n he hesitated again, II had
understood that-that-"
THAT 1t was easier? There are H.
legal ways. of course; but you car
scarcely expect me to advise YOU COM
corning them. Mr.. Martigny."
No: OF course. MOI" he cried ha Silly.
waving his hand in disclaimer. II did
not know-it makes nothing to me-
He picked up a fresh cigaret, lit it
from the other and tossed away the
end.
Will you not try one?" he asked,
seeing that my pipe was finished, and /
presently found myself enjoying the
best cigaret l had ever smoked. You
comprehend French-no?"
Not we'll enough to enjoy It,"
said.
II am sorry-I believe you would like
this book which I nm reading" and he
pulled a somewhat tattered volume
from his pocket. II have read it, oh.
YER many times, as we'll as all the 9th
masterpiece"
He held it so that I could see the title.
1t was Monsieur Lecoq."
Il have read 1t in English" said.
And did you not like it-yes? am
yer fond of stories of detection. That
is why l was so absorbed in that affair
of Mees-Mees-ah. l have forgotten,
Your names are so difficult for me"
Miss Holiday" l said.
"Ah. yes; and has that mystery ever
arrived at a solution?"
NO" I said. unfortunately. we
haven't any Monsieur Lecoqs on our
detective force"
lady-in her I conceived a grea. inter-
est. even though 1 did not see her-how
Is she""
THE shock was a little too much for
her." said. She's gone out to her
country place to rest. She'll soon be ali
right again. I hope"
He had taken a third cigaret. and
was lighting 1t carelessly. with his
face half turned away from me.
noticed how flushed his neck was.
"Oh. undoubtedly" he agreed. after
q moment: at least. l should be most
sad to think otherwise. But 1t is late:
l perceive that you are weary; l thank
Not at ALL" I protested. 81 hone
you'll come in whenever you feel lone
"A thousand thanks! I shall avail
myself Of your invitation. Ny apart
ment Is just across the hail." he added
as l opened the door. Il trust to see
you there"
You SHALL" I said heartily. and bade
him good night.
In the week that followed. raw a
good deal Of Martigny. I would meet
him on the stairs or in the hall: he
came again to see me. and 1 returned
his visit two nights later. upon which
occasion he produced two bottles OF
Chateau Yquem Of a delicacy beyond
all praise. And I grew more and more
to like him-he told me many stories
or Paris. which, 1t seemed. had ALWAYS
been his home, with a wit to which his
} slight accent and formal utterance gaye
new point: he displayed a kindly in.
terest In my plans which was verx
pleasing. he woS alwov. +.otr. A'