The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-11-16

that l felt a perfect brute, and !
vow that for one fateful moment !
was on the point Of voicing my
conjunction.
"You are too kind, SIR" I be-
gan.
But he cut me short with a
frown. THAT will do, my man." he
interrupted in harsh tones. Il am
busy, and wish to be alone"
Had he remained silent, or al
lowed me to proceed, it is just pos
sible that these memories might
never have had occasion to be writ
ten. AS it was, / hastily backed
out of the room, and my conscience
yielded up its final spark in the
passage.
Anxious to verify my suspicion,
l proceeded to my bedroom. 1t ap-
peared, at first glance, exactly as l
had left 1t, but am not a casual
observer. The door Of my ward,
robe stood slightly ajar. l had
latched 1t. My ready made evening
suit was still lying neatly folded In
it's drawer, but the waistcoat occu-
pied a different position from that
to which l had formerly assigned it.
Finally the mapped edge of my
Counterpart was tucked beneath
the iron rail. l noted these trifling
discrepancies with all the pride of
an explorer who has discovered a
new territory.
Immediately my master had gone
out to lunch repaired to his study
and repossessed myself of my make
up b0. This carried to my bed
room and placed it in the wardrobe.
| did not, however, intend to leave
1t there very long. My idea was
(now that had capital to work
upon) to secure private room
somewhere in the neighborhood to
which I might repair whenever
should desire to disguise myself.
During the next few days i discov-
cred exactly the place wanted. 1t
was on the top floor of bachelor
apartment house in Bruton street.
furnished it only with things alb
solutely needed. | procured lock-
smith to fit the door with prac-
tically impregnable latch Jock and
with the key upon my chain l felt
as proud as the most bloated land
holder in Westminster. My next
move was to purchase fresh sup
ply of paints, wigs and various
other sartorial DISCUSSES, including
| a number of new and second hand
character costumes. Now in all the
paraphernalia of DISCUSSES, there is
nothing so important as the item
| of teeth. / visited dozen different
dentists and procured dozen sets
of varying shapes and sizes, whose
only point of resemblance was that
they fitted my mouth. When all
was done my bank account was de-
pleted by ESQ, but l felt that |
had acquired a first rate stock in
trade and / did not repent of the
expenditure.
While l was busy with these ar
| rangements / by no means neg
lected my master. For a week or
two after the disturbing visit paid
by Sir Charles Venner, Mr.. Cava,
nagh and DR.. Fulton, he remained
in a preoccupied and gloomy mood
and seemed unable to settle down
to work. listened in my pantry
by the hour, to his footsteps rest.
lessly pacing the floor of his
library above my head. Gradually
his alarm passed off and he re-
sumed his literary labors as OF
yore. That pleased me, for I felt
that his attitude might be relied
upon to reflect the feelings of his
fellow conspirators. ! began to
consider what further step should
take in my campaign to elucidate
the mystery surrounding that
strange brotherhood. After great
deal of reflection resolved to
shadow Sir William on his next
Sunday excursion. With that end
in view, / begged my master to
allow me holiday until the Mon
day morning, pleading by way of
excuse a dear friends sudden i'll
ness. He graciously consented.
repaired to my little stronghold in
Bruton street, where ! spent the
night. At dawn | made a hearty
meal of the provisions which had
brought with me. occupied the
next few hours in selecting and per-
fecting a disguise.
Ito be continued.)