The Detroit times., 1909-12-29

provingly. He was much stouter man
and perhaps an inch taller than I, and
he had large feet. He was attired in
the hotel uniform. He wore a drag
oon's mustach and he looked like an
old soldier Il wish you TO be good
enough 10 show my dear friend, Sir
Chas. Venner, TO the street"
turned TO Sir Charles. and immediate
ly perceived that my adversary had
become my victim.
When and where shall we meet
again." he muttered hoarsely.
"Ten?" said |. He was grey. grey
to his lips. His eyes shone like stars.
Yes. ten" he replied.
! I'm drop you line" said with
smile.
| looked steadily into his eyes and
held out one hand. We'll, good night
| to you. old boy-sleep well-and be
/ good TIL we meet again."
fancy Sir Chas. venner had never
been submitted TO a more intolerable
piece OF degradation. To be COM
manded TO shake hands with ones
blackmailer. His eyes were simply
murderous, but he obeyed. II was
only a form of course, for our fingers
( barely touched. but his involuntary
SILVER OF repulsion was communicate
ed to my frame even in that swift
contact.
J Five minutes after he had gone
left my room and strolled to the head
of the stairs. AS | had expected, a
: gentleman was seated upon the lounge
that faced the door OF the elevator.
His face was concealed behind a
newspaper. But marked one incon-
/ gruous circumstance I'm his apparel.
/ He wore evening dress and ordinary
street boots OF black leather. | am
afraid I was so vulgar as to permit
myself the indulgence OF a wink. l
passed him and leisurely descended
| the first flight OF stairs. or sudden
| stoned. and turning about ran up
stairs again at the top of my speed.
taking three steps at time. MY
gentleman had already begun 10
descend the stairs. | passed him with
out a glance, swearing In low but
audible KEY at my forgetfulness. In
/ another moment I was back In my
room pressing the electric button.
Sol" thought I. they have employed
detective to shadow me. Well, we
shall see,"
Presently a knock sounded on the
door and the waiter entered who mad
shown Sir Charles out.
Shut it." I said. He obeyed
Look here" said |. my old friend
Sir Chas. Venner had just bet me
hundred pounds that | cannot succeed
| in getting out OF this hotel In some
disguise without his suspecting me.
during the next half hour. Now he IS
waiting in the vestibule, Is he not!
The waiter grinned mo, sir. just
inside the coffee room door. | was
wondering what he wanted. lie gave
me half a crown. sir.
Half a crown" ! sneered. LOOK
here. Martin" selected two brand
new f5 notes. when | was a young
man. before I made fortune out oil
mining. was on the stage. with
your help. my man, I'll do Sir Charles
Iup. do him brown-and these notes
will be yours for helping me-!
Martins eyes almost burst out OF
their sockets. "All right. sir" he
cried excitedly. what do you want
me TO do?"
Exchange clothes with me for 10
minutes All I'll have to do to win my
| bet IL 10 SIP out VI NAAN hON~~
turn. Hurry up"
But he had already begun to slip on
his coat. The bank notes were tightly
clutched between his teeth. so he
could not reply. | induced him TO re-
move even his boots and In five min
utes was to all appearances hotei
waiter. =,
then strobe down the corridor and
turned the corner with the brisk step
and manner OF waiter going on an
urgent message. My gentleman spy
was again seated on the lounge tnat
faced the elevator and once more In
trenched behind a newspaper.
He threw at me one quick glance
over the edge OF the journal and his
face vanished. Running down the
stairs | reached the vestibule, which
TO my delight was thronged with
guests. A moment later. having
given the coffee room a wide berth.
| I passed through the open hall door
and gained the street A gentleman
was standing on the footpath paying
! on a cab from which he had Just