The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-16

YOU maven II We ii 70 ofpE "
the"
No we won't I'm not frequegting
hrst-cI&ss hotels this evening Come
TO the little place where I have
room. can talk 10 you -fere
"But-"
"Oh. come along" said colson, i'm
patiently. II have no end OF things 20
explain you know"
He turned away abruptly, and Graf
ton followed. specializing actively.
Here Uas an entirely new and unex-
pectec nlystery-what had Colson been
1oing "a he did not care for the bet
ter CAV hostelries?
The left by 2 side entrance. and
Cols0, set rapid gait down the
street. A. the corner they turned and
passed into not coo elegant thor
oughfare, running away from the
more 2retenuous neighborhood and
2aral lel With The railroad tracks.
In the course OF a few blocks II i'm
pressed GEafton that the environment
was becoming almost sinister. Tene-
ments OF sort were on every hand.
and the few occupants visible az that
hour betokened anything bat fashion
And yet questions elected from Coison
only the request 70 hurry along and
meanwhile 10 be patient
Wien they stopped before door
Graftonis eyes opened widely II was
a hotel OF the cheaper class which
Coiscn patronized. on the street level
a diTty grOggeTy occupied the corner
behind a dingy restaurant sign a2-
pearss beneath a gas lamp. Colson
entered unhesitatingly. however, and
Grafton. came close behind. The for-
rner selected table and dropped TO
his chair with a tired sigh.
.sVvsIl-there's nothing conspicuous
lv fashionable about this Grafton
observed.
''P.at exactly" Colson smiled dryly.
But 2Sere Is a reason for Il. Grafton.
and a pretty good one
He glanced up as a sauare-Jswed
waiter approached and muttered an
order FOR himself, Grafton 5rie1y de-
clininE to Join. AS the man left, Graf
ton leaned over.
"Colson, for heavens sake. what's
the reasou7'
THAT don't want my whereabouts
kaown-that's all"
but why7 Has 1t any connection
with the day after tomorrow
Yes"
And what Is the Connection"
The unlovely walter was returning.
Colson regarded the table thoughtfuily
until he had gone again.
Then he looked up suddenly.
Grafton. I'm going to ask you
something that will strike you as very
remarkable
II had been upon the tip OF Graftou's
tongue TO tell Of the stealing OF the
naoers: this last odd mark restrained
him. His revelation could wait.
What IS It, Colsonr'
I'm going 70 AK you 70 stay hers
IN Chicago until after the twenty-seo-
ond OF this month";
',The TWEEN -y-secondi Why, on the
twenty-first we're going 70 settle up
that traction matter. aren't we7"
not II you'll stay over here until
the next day"
out" Grafton gaspsd. What
the devil ais you. Colson7 Cent you
suppose that want the matter set
If you 90. stay here" said the
other quietly.
Put why7 why7" There was an
angry hash IN the others eye nov.
For a number OF reasons which
cannot divulge,'' Colson replied coolly.
..rhe same that brought me here.
THAT sounds very WE'LL, however,
have a right to know them"
You have the right, fast enough,
but Il is Impossible for me TO go into
the matter. Oh, know that Il sounds
fshv." smiled Colson. But 1t isn't IN
reality, you know. II IS simply here;
II vou'u take me on faith and remain
here with me until the day after the
notes are due I'll 90 back with you
~