The Montgomery tribune., 1910-11-04


of the day were so engrossing-"
"Well," said, I'm not going to see
you drop on the floor from exhaus-
tion. Just wait minute"
went back to the pantry, only to
be confronted with rows OF locked
doors and empty dishes. Downstairs,
in the basement kitchen, however,
found two unattractive looking cold
chops, some dry bread and piece of
cake, wrapped in napkin, and from
its surreptitious and generally hang
dog appearance destined for the coach
man in the stable at the rear. Trays
there were none-everytbing but the
chairs and tables seemed under lock
and key and there was neither napkin,
knife nor fork to be found.
The luncheon was not attractive in
appearance, but Hotchkiss ate his cold
chops and gnawed at his crusts as
though he had been famished, while
he told his story.
II had been there only a few min
| utes," he said, with a chop in one
hand and the cake in the other, when
| Bronson rushed out and cut across the
street. He's a tall man, Mr.. Blake
ley, and | had hard work keeping
close. 1t was relief when he jumped
on a passing car. although being well
behind, it was hard run for me to
catch him. He had left the lady.
Once on the car, we simply rode
from one end of the line to the other
and back again. | suppose he was
passing the time, for he looked at
his watch now and then and when /
did once get look at his face it made
me-er--uncomfor He could
have crushed me like fly, sir"
had brought Mr.. Hotchkiss glass
of wine and ne was looking better
He stopped to finish it, declining with
a wave of his hand to have it refilled
and continued
about nine o'clock or a little later
he got off somewhere near Washing
ton circle. He went along one of the
residence streets there, turned to his
left square or two, and rang bell.
He had been admitted when l got
there, but l guessed from the appear
ance of the place that it was a board
ing house.
"I waited few minutes and rang
the bell. When a maid answered it.
asked for Mr.. Sullivan. OF course
there was no Mr.. Sullivan there.
81 said ] was sorry; that the man I
was looking for was a new boarder.
She was sure there was no such
boarder in the house; the only new ar
rival was a man on the third floor
she thought his name was Stuart.
"'My friend has a cousin by that
name,' said. I'll go up and see'
"She wanted to show me up. but
said it was unnecessary. So after tell
ing me it was the bedroom and sitting
room on the third floor front, l went
up.
Il met a couple Of men on the
stairs, but neither of them paid any
attention to NE. A boarding house is
the easiest place in the world to en-
ter"
They're not always so easy to
leave" l put in, to his evident irrita.
ton.
When l got to the third story
took out bunch of keys and posted
myself by a door near the ones the
girl had indicated. could hear voices
in one of the front rooms, but could
not understand what they said.
There was no violent dispute, but
a steady hum. Then Bronson jerked
the door open. If he had stepped into
the hall he would have seen me fitting
/ ;,.k@ H-f Dat
he spoke before he came out.
You're acting like a maniac he
said. You know can get those
things some way; I'm not going tc
threaten you. 1t isn't necessary. You
know me-
"It would be no use,' the other man
said 4 tell you / haven't seen the
notes for ten days
"'But you will.' Bronson said, saw
agely. You're standing in your owr
way that's all. If you're holding ou!
expecting me to raise my figure you're
making a mistake. It's my last offer.
"T couldn't take it if it was for 8
Million said the man inside the room
I'D do it, / expect, If / could. The
best of us have our price,
Bronson slammed the door the,
and flung past me down the hall.
"After couple of minutes
knocked at the door and tall mar
about your size. Mr.. Blakeley, opened
it. He was very blond. with smooth
face and blue eyes-what think 20,
would call a handsome man.
"T beg your pardon for disturbing
you,' said. Can you tell me which
is Mr.. Johnson's room? MIR. Francis
Johnson?'
"I cannot say he answered. civ
lily I've only been here a few days
II thanked him and left. but ha,
had good look at him and l thinl
I'd know him readily any place."
III CTo BE CoNTINUED.)