The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-01

ambition is b0undless. and vino lose
no opportunity OF pushing themselves
on in their professions; ne was, more
over, man who. having had his eu-
riosity aroused. did not Ike 10 have it
baked. Further, although he was At
that time on a holiday. ne saw no
reason why he should not combine a
little business with his pleasure.
So that night he sat down after sup
per in the coffee room Of his hotel and
wrote a very private letter TO an old
friend OF his ia Leeds. Ike himself
prominent member OF the service. and
without taking him very much into his
confidence he asked him If lie could
tell him what had become OF Joe, or
Joseph. Kilner, who had been known
TO both Of them a few years previous
II might be merely idle curiosity. De
said 10 himself. when he had siroiled
across 10 the postofiice and posted iis
letter. that made him do this, but oHe
could never tell what even the small
est things led 10.
If Inspector Nicholson could have
looked into SIR. Keenes highly re-
spectacle dining room that evening ne
would have found that gentleman in
"a state OF great and even serious dis
comDosure.
Mr. Keene had recognized the man
who sccosted him. and the recognition
was causing him the most severe men
tai anguish. He dreaded q policeman
as a saint breads sin; the sight Of an
innocent. unonending rustic constable
at a crossroad made him sweat; but
the presence of real, live active i'm
placable detective, in plain clothes.
caused him absolute pain, physical as
well as mental
He had continued % keep his eoun-
tenance and his dignity when Inspee-
tor Nicholson addressed him. bug It
had only been at tremendous q 81 10
himself, and he had been so faint after
passing on that he had been Obliged.
against the principles which he had
recently formulated and adopted, 10 go
into a hotel and ask FOR old brandy
And as be slipped il IN The privacy Oh
the coffee room he asked himself again
and again: Did il mean anything
Had Nicholson found anything out!
Was he-dreadful thought-waa ne on
the track?
This notion 50 anrighted him that
lac had 10 ring for another dose OF
brandy, and he remarked TO the land
lord that ne was suffering from an ola
neart complaint
The second stimulant cbeered MI
Keene up a little. lie reflected that II
Nicholson had wanted him ne would
not have let him go out of bis sight.
But how did he know that he was out
z his sight-he might be keeping him
under observation
lie got mp, and. stealthily opening
tile door, peeped out into the han,
.1alf expectant Of finding Nicholson
and q force Of police there The hall
was empty.
Mr.. Keene closed the door gently
and looked out OF the window. fearing
TO see Nicholson pacing tie street on
the opposite side But there was no
Nicholson there: II was obvious then,
that Nicholson was not after him AT
present.
Al present. These words beat them
selves upon Mr.. Keene's mental con-
saiousness with sickening reiteraiion
as he walked homeward to lis COM
Portable house. What was TIE ase OF
present safety if the future was TO be
harassed by doubts? He had hoped
that he had escaped from the world;
from the time OF his arrival in North
Wales until that moment re had never
set eyes on a person of his previous
acquaintance, and ne had hoped that
He never would.