The Huttig news., 1908-11-07
CHAPTER V.
lncoenito.

tncognfto.
 At noon, precisely, Maitland stirred between the sheets for the first time since he had thrown himself into hi! bed-stirred, and, confused by what ever alarm had awakened him, yawneC stupendously, and sat up, rubbing elenehed fists in his eyes to clear then of sleeps cobwebs. Then he bent for ward. clasping his knees, smiled large r ly replaced the smile with thought full frown, and in such wise contem rlated the foot of the bed for severa minutes-his first conscious impres sion, that he had something delightful to look forward to yielding to a vague recollection of a prolonged shrill tin tinnabulation-as if the telephone bel in the front room had been ringing for some time
 But he waited in vain for a repetition of the sound, and eventually concluded that be had been mist aken it had been an echo from his dreams, most likely Besides, who should call him up? Not two people knew that he vas in town; not even O'Hagan wds aware that he had returned to lis rooms that morning.
 He gaped again, stretching wide his arms. sat up on the edge of the bed, aud heard the clock str Ike 12.
 Noon and He had an en- gagement at twol He frightened at the memory and. jumping up. pressed an electric cali button on the wall By he time he had radded barefoot to the bathroom and turned on the eeldwa- ter tap. 0.aagan's knock summoned him to the hall door
 Back again, OHagan. and in a desperate rush. I'll want you to shave me and send some telegrams, please Must be eff by l:30 You may get out paused, calculating his costume with careful discrimination-"a a black striped negligee shirt: gray socks russet low shoes; black and white check tie-broad wings. You know where to find them all2"
 "Shure yiss, sor'
 OHagan showed no evidence of sur
 
 and could not move him, who was in 1red to them through long association md observation He moved away tc execute his instructions, quietly ef ioient By the time Maitland had iaished srlashing and gasping in the 5athtub everything was ready for the ceremony of dressing.
 Io Maitland. bathed, shaved, but still in lressing gown and slippers, was seated at his desk, cup of black coffee steaming at his elbow, a number of yellow telegraph blanks before him, g pen poised between his fingers
 It was in his mind to send a wire to Greasy. apologizing for his deser. tion of the night just gone, and an nouncing his intention to rejoin the party from which the motor trip to New York had been as planned but a temporary defection, 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 clamor.ng shrilly.
 What the deGce?" he demanded 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 stant later. O'Hagan returned, bearing slip of white pasteboard which he de posited on the desk before Maitland
 James Burleson Snaith, Malt land read aloud from the faultlessly engrayed card q don't know him What does he want?"
 Wouldn't say sor, seemed sur prised whin 1 towld him ye were in an said he was glad to hear it-busi ness pressin', says he.''
 'Snaith?' But I never heard the name before. What does he look like?' 4 gintleman, sor. be tn clothes ay him an tn way he talks"
 Well Devil take the man! Show him in
 Very good, sor."
 Maitland swung around in his desk cbsir, his back to the window, expres sion politely curious, as his caller en tered the room, pausing, hat in hand just across the threshold.
 He proved to be a man apparently c middle age. of height approximatine Maitland's: his shoulders were slightly rounded as if from habitual bending over a dask, his pose mild and defer ential. By his eyeglasses and peerins lock, he was near-sighted, by his dress, gentleman of taste and iudg ment as well as of means to gratify both. A certain iaunty and summery touch in his attire suggested person of leisure who had just run down from his country rlace for day in town.
 His voice, wher ne spoke, did noth ing to die.el ;he illrs:en.