Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-09-06

|, was in town: not even o'Hagan vas
aware that he had returned to. his
rooms that morning.
He CAPPED again. stretching wide his
arms. sat up on the edge Of the bed,
and heard the clock strike ~.
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 cold-wa.
ter tap. O'Hagan's knock summoned
him to the hall door.
Back again, O'Hagan: and In .
desperate rush. I'll want you to shave
ME and send some kilograms, please.
Must be of by 1880. You may get out
my gray-striped fannels"-here he
paused. calculating his costume with
careful Observation-Disclosures a 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 ef'
| fcient. 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, a cup of black cohee
| steaming at his elbow, a number OF
| yellow telegraph blanks before him. a
pen poised between his fingers.
1t was in his mind to send a wire
to Greasy, apologizing for his deser'
ton 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
temporary detection, in time for din
rer that same evening. He nibbled
the end of the penholder. selecting
phrases, then looked up ut the at
| tentive OHaGdn.
Bring me a New Haven time table
please" he began, and"
The door bell abrupted his words
clamoring shrilly.
What the deuce?" he demanded
who can that be! Answer 1t, will
you. O'Hagan?"
He put down the pen, swallowed his
coffee, and lit a cigarette, listening tc
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 1aultlesslI
engraved card. Il don'ts know him
| What does he WANT"
wouldn't say, sor; seemed sur
| prised whin l towld him ye were in
an said he was glad to hear it-busi
| ness pressin', says he.
"'Snaith? But 1 never heard thu
| name befores What does he look like?'
"A gintleman. sor. be tn clothes a.
him an tn way he talks"
IL well Devil take the man
Show him in"
Every 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
| Just across the threshold.
He proved to be a man APPARENT!
| o. middle age. Of height approximatin.
| Maitland's; his shoulders were slight!
| rounded as II from habitual bendin,
| over a dask, his pose mild and defer
entail. BY his eyeglasses and peerin,
| look, he was near-sighted: by hit
| dress. q gentleman Of taste and tude
n,ent Is we'll as Of means to gratif!
both. A certain jaunty and summer!
touch in his attire suggested q perso'
; OF leisure who had Just run down from
his country place for q day in town
His voice. when he spoke. did moth
ing to dispel the illusion.
Mr.. Maitland!" he opened the con
versation briskly. Il trust I do NO
| fntrude? I shall be brief n possible
II you will favor me With . private In
terview."
Maitland remarked . voice wen mod
ulated and . good choice Of words. HI
| rose courteously.
ct should be pleased to do 90" h
suggested, If you could advance an!
| reason for such . request"
Mr.. snaith smiled discreetly. FUN
! bling In his side pocket A second Sill
| of cardboard appeared between hts IN
gers % he stepped over toward Matt
land.
| III had NOT feared II might depriv'
| me Of this interview. I should hav'
sent in my business card at once, h
| said. Permit me-"
Maitland accepted the card and e!e
waited his brows. oh" he said, put
| ding Il down. his manner becoming per
~>xfgblv lesa enrdlal Fl aoy O'HaG1p.