Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-16
CHAPTER v.
Incognito.

CHAPTER v.
lncognito.
At noon, precisely, Maitland stirred
between the sheets for the first time
since he had thrown himself into his
bed-stirred, and, confused by what
ever alarm had awakened him, yawned
stupendously, and sat up, rubbing
clenched fists in his eyes to clear them
OF sleeps cobwebs. Then he bent for
ward, clasping his knees, smiled large
" replaced the smile with a thought
full frown, and in such wise contem-
plated the foot of the bed for several
minutes-his first conscious impress
sion. that he had something delightful
to look forward to yielding to a vague
recollection of prolonged shrill tin
observation-disclosures if the telephone bell
in the front room had been ringing for
some time.
But he waited in vain for repetition
of the sound, and eventually concluded
that he had been mistaken; it had
been an echo from his dreams, most
likely, Besides, who should call him
up? Not two people knew that he
was in town; not even O'Hagan was
aware that he had returned to his
rooms that morning.
He gaped again, stretching wide his
arms, sat up on the edge of the bed,
ard heard the clock strike IL.
Noon and He had an en-
gagement at two! He frightened at
the memory and, jumping up, pressed
an electric call button on the wall. BY
the time he had padded barefoot to the
bathroom and turned on the coldwa-
ter tap, O'Hagan's knock summoned
him to the hall door.
Back again, O'Hagan; and in q
desperate rush. I'll want you to shave
me and send some kilograms, please.
Must be off by 1880. You may get out
my gray striped fannels"-here he
paused, calculating his costume with
careful iscrimination-"and black,
striped negligee shirt; gray socks;
russell low shoes; black and white
check tie--broad wings. You know
where to find them all"
"Shure yiss, sor.'
O'Hagan showed no evidence of sur.
prise; the eccentricities of Mr.. Matt
land could not move him, who was in,
ured to them through long association
and observation. He moved away to
execute his instructions, quietly eff
ficient. BY the time Maitland had
finished splashing and gasping in the
bathtub everything was ready for the
ceremony Of dressing.
In other words, 20 minutes later
Maitland, bathed, shaved, but still in
dressing gown and slippers, was seated
at his desk, cup Of black coffee
steaming at his elbow, a number oil
yellow telegraph blanks before him, q
pen poised between his fingers.
1t was in his mind to send a wire
to Cressy, apologizing for his deser
ton of the night just gone, and an,
nouncing his intention to rejoin Nthe
party from which the motor trip to
New York had been as planned but a
temporary detection, in time for din,
ner that same evening. He nibbled
the end Of the penholder, selecting
phrases, then looked up at the at
tentive O'Hagan.
Bring me New Haven time table
please" he began, "and-"
The door bell abrupted his words
clamoring shrilly.
Jo1oo9O hn 1nytoonH66
"Who can that be? Answer it, will
you, O'Hagan?"
He put down the pen, swallowed his
coffee, and lit a cigarette, listening to
the murmurs at the hall door. An IN
slant later, O'Hagan returned, bearing
slip Of white pasteboard which he de
posted on the desk before Maitland.
flames Burleson Snaith.' Matt
land read aloud from the faultlesslJ
engraved card. 81 don't know him
What does he wanto"
Wouldn't say, sor; seemed sur
prised whin l towld him ye We're in
an said he was glad to hear it-busi
ness pressin, says he"
"Snaith?' But l never heard thu
name before. What does he look like?'
"a gintleman, sor, be tn clothes az
him an tn way he talks
We'll Devil take the man
Show him in"
Very good, sor."
Maitland swung around In his desl
chair, his back to the window, expires
sion politely curious, as his caller en-
tered the room, pausing, hat in hand
lust across the threshold.
He proved to be a man apparently
o. middle age, of height approximatint