The Huttig news., 1910-09-10

MT Robert Orme?"
 Yes that is my name What can I do for you?n
 For a moment senor Poritol ap- peared to hover ike a timid bird: then he seated himself on the edge O chair, only the tips Of his toes touch ing the floor. lis eyes danced brightly
 TO begin with, Mr Orme." he said ' am charmed to meet you-vert charmed" He rolled his ITS" afte fashion that need rot be reproduced And in the second place" he contin ued. while actually am fofeig1e1 in your dear country, I regard mysei as in spirit one of your natives. came here when boy, and was edu cated at your. great University oi Princeton
 You are PortugHese-I infer from your name.' said Orme
 "Gh dear. nol On, no. no no!s ex claimed Senior Poritol, tapping the floor nervously with his toes. My country he freed himself from the Portuguese yoke many and many year ago. l am South American. Ir. Orme-one of the poor relations 9f your great country Again the @idened smile Then he suddenly be- came grave. and leaned forward, his hands on his knees. But this is not the business of our meeting, MT. Grme."
 
 "No?' inquired Orme
 No, my dear sir. have come to ask of you about the fve-dollar bill which you received in the hat shop this afternoon , He peered anxious ly. You still have it? You have not spent it?'
 "A marked bill, was it not?"
 Yes. yes. Where is it, my dear sir. where is it2"
 Written across the face of it were the words, Remember person you pay this to- .
 "Oh. yes. yes"
 And on the back of it--"
 On the back of it.'' gasped the lit tie man.
 Was a curious cryrtogram
 Do not torture mel" exclaimed Senor Poritol Have you got it?'' His fingers worked nervously.
 Yes said orme slowly. T still have it."
 Senor Poritol hastily took fresh five-iolar bill from his pocket See" he said, jumping to the floor. here is another just as good bill l give this to you in return for the bill which was paid to you this afternoon He thrust the new bill toward Orme, and waved his other hand rhetorically That. and that alone, is my business with you, dear sir
 Ormes hand went to his pocket The visitor watched the motion eag- er!y, and a grimaee of disappointment contracted his features when the nand came forth, holding a cigar case.
 Have one." Orme urged
 In his anxiety the little man almost danced. But sir he broke forth. T am in desperate hurry l must meet a friend. | must catch a train"
 One moment" interrupted Orme T cant very well give up that bill until I know little better what 1t means You win have to show me that you are entitled to it-and he smiled meantime you'd better smoke"
 Senor Poritol sighed q can as. sure you of my honesty of purpose, sir, he said. q cannot tell you about it. l have not the time Also, it is not my secret. This bill, sir. is just as good as the other one"
 Very likely" said Orme dryly. He was wondering whether this was some new eounterleiting dodge How easily most persons could be induced to make the transferl
 A eounterfeiter. however. would hardly work by so picturesque and noticeable a method, unless he were carefully disguised hardly even then. Was Senor Poritol disguised? Orme looked at him more closely. No, he could see where the roots of the coarse black hair joined the scalp. And there was not the least evidence of makeup on the face, Nevertheless, Orme did not feel warranted in giving up the marked bill without definite explanation. The little man was a comic figure, but his bizarre exterior might conceal a dangerous plot He might be thief. an anarchist, any thing.
 Please, my dear sir. please do not add to my already very great anxi- ety." pleaded the visitor.
 Orme spoke more decisively. You are stranger, Senor Poritol. I don't know what all this mystery eonceals, but l cant give out that bill unless know more about it--and won't" he added as he saw Senor Poritol open his mouth for further pleading.
 Very well" sighed the little man. He hesitated for an instant, then add. ed: T do not blame you for insisting and suppose I must say to you every thing that you demand. No. do not