Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1907-12-13
CHAPTER Ill

small OMNIBUS Wnlcn met the train he
walked lesurely toward the hotel guided
by the gilt sign which cleaned high above
the surrounding village houses.
Coming suddenly, as he had done, out
o. the golden glory of the evening sun
| light into a Swallowed chamber, he did
not at first make out the things about
him with any great distinctness, but he
could see that a man and a woman sat
at the far end of a table, and he bowed
to them.
"Hillo, Fraser" said a voice. THAT
you? Are you holiday over
here?"
Fraser advanced, shading his eyes with
his hand.
THAT you. Farley?" he returned. How
are We? I'm troyAe short-soyted
didn't make yout at first How are ye?
Deloyted to meet Mrs. harley once more
Are We here for long?'
He bowed and shook hands and waved
royal condescendng pardoning sort of
refusal to the chair Farley pushed to-
ward him.
we have been here month"; said the
novelist, "and we intend staying on until
the crowd comes. Then we run away.
Do you stay for any length of timer"
Il can't say how loug l may stop"
returned Fraser, with a smile. The man
would like to know my secrets" said the
smile. I'll be having companion in a
day or two" he added. "O'Rourke's COM
ing over"
"Ah. :" said the other, careessly. 81
forgot. It's getting near the Whitsuntide
recess"
The landlady, seeing her new guest in
conversation, had withdrawn. but at this
moment she re-entered. in conversation
with an older visitor. She seemed TO have
considerable difficulty in making him I'M
derstand what she had to say, for she said
the same thing three or four times over,
and he looked at her with puzzled face
and an occasional shake of the head.
1T is a pity, monsieur" said the land
lady at last, turning upon Farley, ''that
there is no one here to talk the language
of monsieur"
The new arrival understood the tenor
of this speech, for a wagged his head at
the novelist and spoke. English not"
he said. French, so leetel-ver leetel.
Gree? All, yes. Deutsch? Yes"
He speaks German, madam" said
Fraser, splendidly. ALLOW me to trans
late for you" Then, addressing the new
conner, IF l can serve you l shall be
pleased"
The new arrival smiled and put a oues-
ton about the postal arrangements of the
town. Fraser got the required informa-
ton from the landlady, and transferred it.
The other was profuse in thanks, and
ducked ingratiatingly at his magnificent
I've never been able to get to like that
fellow" said Farley, as the man sat down
1t the dining table, after the manner of
the place, to write his letter. He came
here shortly after our arrival. and we
have been here together ever since. He
IS always very civil, and he smiles as if
~ clock work, but his eyes are a good
ieal too close together for my fancy; his |
forehead slopes back too much for nv
liking; he has stealthy way of walking;
ne is my beau ideal of what a spy should |
De-"
"Ye do expect a spy to understand the
language of the land he lives in. don't
Te?" asked Fraser
We'll. yes Farley admitted, laugh
ngly. L suppose that's needful But 1 |
'houldn't be in the least surprised to learn
hat he did understand l shouldn't be
II the least surprised if he understood
What | am saying now"
Perhaps he might be-" said Fraser.
He'd not be pleased, anyway"
The man at the table went on with his
etter. While Farley and Fraser still
alked about him, standing at the window.
lie arose and walked to the end of the
Dom, where stood a table spread with
writing materials. Taking from this a
title porcelain jar of sand, he sprinkled
part OF its contents on the sheet of pa-
'er he had just written. and then. turn
hg with the paper in both hands. he stood
ltting the fine sand to and fro in an ab-
ent way, regarding meanwhile the two
nen at the window. AT that moment the
Expression of his face was sinister but
s Farley turned in speaking his face
feared and when their eyes met he was
inllihs' ana he gave that little half-nod
whereby some people always recognize a
lance OF which they are conscious from
man they know. just then Maskelyne
anne in. ~
Ihls is me young friend. Mr.. George
laskelyne, from New York" said Fraser
He's just doying to know ye, Farley.p
have desired to know Won. sir .
aid Maskelyne. in his solemn. gentia
ray, Tor year or two past. and 70
aank you Tor all the pleasure you have
wen me. 1t may please you to know.
IT, that you have as large and as af.
scuonate circle of readers on our side
5 on your own"
rwould please him more" said the