Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-07

stbouI ID UuOtutl, anu tO SeI safely out is still third. Hav- ing taken the plunge, Richard Williams was now at leisure to con template the deeps in which he found himself Here he was in a strange house under borrowed name and ti- tie, with little knowledge or expert ence to enable him to carry off the i'm position successfully. True, from his associations with the earl in Texas he could recall some of the Englishman's oddities of speech and manner, to | which his own soft southern accent readily accommodated itself, but this was fiimsy scaffolding by which to build successful fraud. Though well educated, Richards environment had afforded him small opportunity to be- come familiar with the manners of po- lite society, and his knowledge of Eng land and English customs, like that of many better informed Americans, was meager. On the other hand, he had plenty of common sense. much of his fathers native shrewdness. a fund of ready wit. cool courage in an emer- gency and in general nerve enough to bTaZen out the affair until such a time as he might see fit to make a clean breast of 1t and trust the rest to luck.
 Having made his preparations for luncheon, he was pacing up and down the rooms which had been assigned to him, thoughtfully turning the matter over in his mind, when servant an- nounced the arrival of Croyland's man Bills.
 "Ah"' said Richard, very eager to encounter what might prove to be the first check and get it over with. Snow him up, please"
 The servant departed, and to the ad- venturer came another inspiration. Here was an opportunity which. if handled delicately, might lead to bril- liant results. The valet entered-a slight man of medium height, with a clean shaven face. a puttylike com plexion and pale, unconditional eye.
 M lord
 The man stopped suddenly. passed his hand over his mouth and stood star ing at Richard, while a look of recog- milton slowly illumined his brain.
 Why. Mir. Williams. sir" he burst out presently. "I thought
 "Ah." smiled Richard, in his most in- nocent and begulling manner. 'so you haven't forgotten your little trip to Texas:"
 'NO-nO. sir. An those awful COW gentlemen. sirE' faItered Bills. with a shudder of remembrance of some prac- teal jokes of which he had been the victim at the hands of some of the COW punchers before he left for New York and civilization.
 Good. Now. attend me carefully. To you know anything of the reasons why your master Is in New YOrkT'
 "A little. sir. but not much-some business for the Jsps. for a foreign government. sir
 Richard took a thoughtful turn up and down the room. then faced the man again
 You look rather an intelligent man, Bills. and can appreciate what am going to say to you. Your master finds it necessary to lie low for a week or two. CRderstandgT
 ~very good. sir"
 "ln the first place. Lord CroyIand au- thOrized me to discharge you immedi- ately upon your arrival
 The servant IOoked up quickly. e giezm Of suspicion in his fShy eye
 ~Askin' your pardon. sir be said deferentfally. but 'Ow am to know, sir. that yOu-thzt--
 That I am acting on the lovely fn- Ished Richard T admire your caution To begin with yOuH have to take my uord IT this. however. hss 10 weight. I am to fresben yOur usn0ry with a little natter 0f foar p01zd siX and a teueIed cigar cutter- Fellow mey
 He valet ucked his lips and said