The Yale expositor., 1910-11-25
CHAPTER II.
Senior Poritol.

When Orme answered the knock at
the door a singular young man stood
at the threshold. He was short, wiry
and very dark. His nose was long and
Complacently tilted at the end. His
eyes were small and very black. His
mouth was a wide, uncertain slit. In
his hand he carried light cane and a
silk hat of the fiat-brimmed French
type. And he wore a gray sack suit,
pressed and creased with painful ex-
actness.
Come in, Senor Poritol," said
Orme, 1Aotioning toward chair.
eAThe little man entered, with short,
rapid steps. He drew from his pocket
clean pocket handkerchief, which he
unfolded and spread out on the surface
of the table. Upon the handkerchief
he carefully placed his hat and then,
after an Intellectual effort to make 1t
stand against the table edge, laid his
cane on the floor.
Not until all this ceremony had been
completed did he appear to notice
Orme. But now he turned, widening
his face into smile and extending his
hand, which Orme took rather dubi-
ously-it was supple and moist.
"Oh, this is Mr.. Orme, is it not?"
YES" said Orme, freeing himself
from the unpleasant handshake.
Mr.. Robert Orme?"
Yes, that is my name. What can l
do for you?"
For a moment Senor Poritol ap-
peared to hover like a tipid bird I;
then he seated himself on the edge of
a chair, only the tips of his toes touch
ing the floor. His eyes danced
brightly.
ITO begin with, Mr.. Orme," he said,
81 am charmed TO meet you-very
charmed" He rolled his "r's" after
fashion that need not be reproduced.
And in the second place." he contin-
ued, while actually | am a foreigner
in your dear country, l regard myself
as in spirit one of your natives.
came here when a boy, and was edu-
Gated at your great University of
Princeton"
You are Portuguese infer from
your name" said Orme.
"Oh, dear, no! oh, no, no, no." ex
claimed Senor Poritol, tapping the
floor nervously with his toes. my
country he freed himself from the
Portuguese yoke many and many a
year ago. / am a South American
Mr.. Orme-one of the poor relations
of your great country" Again the
widened smile. Then he suddenly be
came grave, and leaned forward, his
hands on his knees. But this is not
the business of our meeting, Mr.
Orme"
MOI" inquired Orme.
mo, my dear sir. have come tC
ask of you about the five-dollar bill
which you received in the hat shoI
this afternoon" He peered anxious
ly. You still have it? You have no
spent it?''
"A marked bill, was it not?"
"Yes, yes. Where is it, my dea
sir, where is it?"
Written across the face of it were
the words, Remember person you pa!
this to-
"Oh, yes, yes
And on the back OF it."
"On the back of it," gasped the lit
tie man.
Was a curious cryptogram."
DO not torture mel" exclaimed
Senior Poritol. Have you got it?
His fingers worked nervously.
Yes" said Orme slowly, II still
have IT."
Senior Poritol hastily took a fresl
five-dollar bill from his pocket. See,
he said, jumping to the floor, her
is another just as good bill. / Civ
this to you In return for the bill whicl
was paid to you this afternoon" II
thrust the new bill toward Orme. an
waved his other hand rhetorically
That, and that alone, is my bushes
with you, dear SIR"
Orme's hand went to his pocket
The visitor watched the motion eaf
erly, and a grimace of disappointment
contracted his features when the han
came forth, holding cigar case.
Have one," Orme urged.
In his anxiety the little man almos
danced But. sir" he broke forth, "
am in desperate hurry. l must NEE
friend. l must catch train"
One moment" interrupted Orm,
Il can't very well give up that bi
until / know. little better what
means. You will have to show m
that you are entitled to it-and"-h
smiled--"meantime you'd bette
smoke"
Senor Poritol sighed. II can al
sure you of my honesty of purpos,
sir" he said. Il cannot tell you abou
It. have not the time Also, It
not my secret. This bill. sir, is Jus
Is good as the other e.