The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-12-19


safely out Is still third. Hav.
Ing taken the plunge. Richard
Williams was now at leisure to con-
template the dceps IN which he found
himself. Here he was In strange
house under q borrowed name and IL
tie. with little knowledge or expert
ence TO enable him TO carry of 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 a ilmsy scaffolding by which to
build a successful fraud. Though well
educated. Richards environment had
afforded him small opportunity to be-
come familiar with the manners OF po-
lite society. aud 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 wilt, cool courage In an emer-
gency and In general nerve enough to
brazen out the affair until such time
as he might see ut to make clean
breast Of II and trust the rest 10 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 a servant an-
nounced the arrival Of Croyland's man
Bills.
"Ab!" said Richard. very eager to
encounter what might prove to be the
first check and get II over with SHOW
him up, please"
The servant departed, and TO the ad
yenturer came another inspiration
Here was an opportunity which, II
handled dellcately, might lead to bril-
liant results The valet entered-a
slight man OF medium height, with
clean shaver face. a puttylike com.
plexion and pale. International eye.
M lord
The man stopped suddenly. passed
bis hand over his mouth and stood star
ing at Richard, while look Of recog.
milton slowly illumlned his brain.
why, Mr.. Williams. sir" he burst
out presently. Il thought
"Ah.' smiled Richard, In his most Ia.
nocent and beguiling manner, so you
haven't forgotten your little trip TO
Texas
Mono. sir An those awful COW
gentlemen. sir" fatered Bills, with a
OF remembrance OF some prac-
tical jokes OF which be 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.
DO you know an. ining OF the reasons
why your master IL IN New York;
"A little, sir. but not much-some
business for the Japs. for foreign
government. SIR
Richard took n thoughtful turn up
and down the room, then faced the
man again.
~You look rather an intelligent man.
f'i34 aud can appreciate what ! am
is to say TO you. Your master finds
tas essary 10 lie low for week or
80 Understand
Yer, good. sir"
IN the FIRST place. Lord Croyland nu-
ih@lzcd me to discharge you immcdi-
aiely upon your arrival"
The servant looked up quickly. a
CLEAN Of suspicion in his hshy eye.
~Askin' your pardon. sir" he said
defereniially. hut 'ow am TO know.
sir, that you that
THAT am acting on the leyell" fin.
ished Richard = admire your caution.
To begin with you'li have TO take my
word. n this. however, has no weight,
I am TO frcshen your memory with a
little matter Of four pound six and
jewelei cigar cutter Follow meT'
The valet licked bis lips aud said
nothing. Richard went on.
" you ttlt hhNc h1abN on tat SUD K
Iect Lord CroylaHd is 10 possession o.
an Inquiry from a friend of yours 10
scotland YArd-an lnquisliive duck Of
the name Of Drake dare say hes
asking after your health weliy'
Wen would you have me leave.
slrY' asked Bills mosi deferen,ialiy
again. without change u counte
nance
Richard regarded the man critically.
That's just The point, Friend Wool
fsy ! thlnk | can arrange 20 give you
. position that il for 4 time Ut least
iiow much does your master pay your
Twelve pounds month, ~, an my
keep"