The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-11-12
CHAPTER III.
THE FOUNDATION OF A FOR
TUNE.

THE FOUNDATION OF A FOR
TUNE.
The next month passed very
quietly. got used to Sir William
and his ways, and so assiduously
attended him that / had the salts
faction to perceive that my services
were gradually becoming indispen.
sable to his comfort. Before long 1
was able almost to read his
thoughts, certainly to anticipate his
wishes. / waited upon him like a
shadow, as silently, as faithfully.
His life was for the most part of
fixed habit. found that he was
engaged in compiling compen-
di,Sn of philosophy, one volume Of
which had already been published
and which had procured for him a
great measure of literary fame. His
heart was wrapped up in his work.
Once seated there before his manu-
script he permitted nothing to in
terrupt him, except noise-at which
he ragged like mailman. For me
he had always smile, impatient
truly, but a smile, for wore shoes
Of felt. and from careful practice
my voice became more softly modu-
lated every day. Only on the sab
bath Sir William Immediately after
breakfast would leave the house for
long stay, and seldom returned
on such occasions until past mid
night. What he did or where he
went on those occasions l could
not by any means discover. l de-
termined that one day l should
follow him.
The secret OF my masters
monthly entertainments cost me
many San unquiet night of puzzled
thought and anxious contempla-
ton. l tried to believe that he
and his six fellow students had
simply agreed to assemble period
ically at Sir William Dagmar's
house in order to enjoy quiet
gamble as a recreation from their
ordinary and persistent labors, and
also to crafty morbid desire of
marking the ravages which their
common disease had made in each
other since their last meeting.
Some instinct, however, forbade
me to rest satisfied with an expla-
nation so simple. Why. l asked
myself, should they always con-
verse in French, if they had moth
ing better worthy of concealing?
Why, again, should they subscribe
weekly to a common fund, the
combined fruits of which evident
ly passed into one mans keeping
at the dictation of the dice? Was
it just possible that the winner of
the check was bound, by rule, to
apply the. money to some esoteric
purpose? felt inclined to suspect
1t was! But what then?
I watched Sir William. the last
winner of the check, as cat
might a mouse, but discovered
nothing. censored his CORE
spondence with like result.
Every Monday morning he gave
me a letter to post to Mr.. Cava-
nagh. l opened those over bowl
OF steam, but each only contained
a crossed and Unacceptable check
for ESQ pound, with never line
of explanation. The mystery irri-
tated me so much that it began to
trouble my sleep. Butts also an
noyed me. He developed too great
a fancy for my company. l fire.
quently wished to be alone, for my
great plan required that l should
be able to initiate at will Sir Will
liam Dagmar's every look and ges-
ture, his every tone and trick of
speech. foresaw that l should
have to get rid of Butts. He was
a naturally inquisitive, interfering
fellow. With that end in view, l
persuaded Butts to instruct me In
the business of ordering and pro-
viding the monthly dinners, clear
ing silver and so forth. l felt able
to assume his post In very few
days, just two days, indeed, before
the next monthly dinner was due.
That very night dressed my
self up to resemble my master.
and marched stealthily downstairs
into the pantry about the hour
when l knew, from experience,
that Butts enjoyed a first nightcap
Of port wine. There he stood,
bottle before him. glass in hand.
"Butts!" said l, without prelimi-
nary. Il was wrong to forgive you
for stealing my wine. But wish
ed to give you chance--no, don't
speak to me, Butts. You have had
your chance and wasted 1t. II you
are not out of my house before
breakfast hour tomorrow. shall
give you In charge Of the police.
II. however. you make the least
noise In taking your boxes down.
stairs, / shalt prosecute you In any
case BE careful, therefore! Good
night, Butts!"
left him standing like n frozen
image, staring after me. Half an