Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-16
The Soldier.

Mr.. I.ampirthy sat before the fire with
a sheet Of notepaper in his hand. There
was a puzzled expression on his face as
he read the. letter carefully to the last
word. Then he smiled and sent for his
secretary.
Dixon" he said, as that young gentle
man entered the room. you are sup
posed to know most things. Who is
Father Francis?'
"A monk. should think. sir. or per
haps . member of some semi-monastic
order"
I'm other words. you don't know who
he IL. Well. go and find out. He lives at
223 hartford road. Bermondsey. Take a
cab and find out all that IL known about
him"
Nov. at once. sir?'
Yes, If you can. Anything further in
the paper business this morning.
We're losing about a thousand pounds
Q day--underselling. Those were your in
structiens."
ANY of 'em caved in YETI"
Two more
Good. We'll break 'em all in presently
II you're not busy this morning run
He seens queer chap"
written to you. I suppose. sirr'
Yes, you mixed the letter in with my
private lot. No fault Of yours. He left
out the * just by chance, suppose"
Those sort Of accidents do happen. sir.
You remember I suggested to you the
substitution OF another initial for private
letters"
Yes. / believe you did. Bring me the
correspondence on the paper deal. I'll
look through II while you are away"
The secretary retired. brought in a thick
budget Of letters and then went OF on his
errand. He was used to missions Of this
sort. which Mr.. Lampirthy never in
trusted to any one else. As rule they
meant business, but he could not guess
what business the millionaire could have
with the member of any RELIGIOUS order.
He returned a few minutes before lunch.
"Well?" said Mr.. Lampirthy as the
young man entered the room.
copy of a newspaper. Mr.. Lampirthy
read a marked paragraph and smiled.
Did you see him?' he asked.
No. but 1 found out that he owes a
weeks rent
Poor, eh?"
Yes. it's a wretched SUM-
Not the sort of place where one would
expect to find much happiness, eh?'
Gus Dixon shrugged his shoulders.
Not enough to turn his BRAIN he an
swered.
"a lunatic. chg"
Without doubt, sir"
Well. drop him a line and say that
I'll see him tomorrow morning at IL
O'clock. These madmen are sometimes
worth meeting"
I'D be careful. sir. II were you. This
got money on the brain. If he's none In
his pocket
Il can look after myself. Dixon. Drop
him a line at once"
Yes, sir" the secretary replied May
have the letter." And he held out his
hand
Father Francis. 22a hartford road
Bermondsey." said Mr.. Lampirthy. drily
and, leaning forward. he dropped the let
ter in the fire.
1T IL quite private" he said by way OF
explanation. And Mr.. Gus Dixon left the
room.
tended by his usual retinue of gutter
Arabs. arrived at the door Of the Carlton
and was Immediately bounced on by a
Jealous policeman. The intervention OF
a hall porter. vino had received instruc-
tons. and the production of Mr.. Lam
pirthy's letter. removed this difficulty
and. amid the smiles Of well-bred men
and women the enthusiast was ushereC
up the stairs to the apartments OF the
millionaire. His face was grim ne
strobe silently past the eyes of the idlers
His attitude was erect and dignified. and
there was the light Of battle in hisseyes
the stern resolve Of a man who has made
up his mind to fight till his weapons
break In his hand.
T9the onlookers he was merely an OBJ
iect of curiosity. His long hair. his un-
kempt heard his strange garb were only
ridiculous. The general impression was
tTiat ne had come from the east TO sci
trinkets.
He was shown into a room which Mr.
I.ampirthy reserved for his own particu
lar use. and which was as nearly similar
10 a library any room In an hote
ccuId possibly hope to be. II was com
,,aratively small but comfortable. anC
almost homelke in It's furniture. As ht
entered Mr. I.ampirthy half rose from his
chair i'm front of a desk and bowed stiffiy
Then he reseated himself and Father
Francs remained standing with folded
arms and his chin sunk on his breast.
"A pose" said Mr.. Lampirthy TO him
self and then aloud: please take a seat
sir
Father Francis seated himself on q
small chair, looked at Mr.. Lampirthy
and again folded his arms. az though
waiting for the millionaire to speak.
Your letter. said Mr.. Lampirthy
amused me. aroused my curiosity.
suppose that 10 the effect you wanted Il
producer
Father Francis did not reply. His eye'
were hxed on the ground and he was ap
parently lost in thought.
81 wished to see the man who coult
write that sort OF letter" continued TIT
millionaire.