The Delta independent., 1910-08-12


When Senior Poritol had disap-
peared Orme telephoned TO the clerk.
Send me up . porter" he ordered
"and have him stand just outside my
door. with orders to enter If he hears
any disturbance" He waited at the
door till the porter appeared, then
| told him to remain in a certain place
| until he was needed, or until the
visitors left.
Senior Poritol remained downstairs
for several minutes. Evidently he
was explaining the situation to his
| friend. But after time Orme heard
the clang Of the elevator door, and in
response to the knock that quickly
followed, he opened his own door. At
the side of his former visitor stood a
dapper foreigner. He wore a long
frock coat and carried a glossy hat.
and his eyes were framed by large
| gold spectacles.
This is the Senior Alcatrante,"
| explained Senior Poritol.
The newcomer bowed with suave
dignity.
"Senor Alcatrante? The name is
familiar" said Orme. smiling.
Poritol assumed an air. He is the
minister from my country to these
United States"
Orme understood. This was the
wary South American diplomat whose
name had lately been so prominent
in the Washington dispatches. What
was he doing In Chicago?
oil m moot yot, caid nrrno
Alcatrante smiled. displaying q
prominent row of uneven teeth.
My young friend. Poritol." he be-
gan, tells me that you have in your
possession the record of secret be-
| longing to me. What that secret is,
| is immaterial to you and me, take
| it. He is an honorable young man
| excitable, perhaps. but well-meaning.
| would suggest that you give him the
| five-dollar bill he desires, accepting
| from him another in exchange. Or.
| if you still doubt him, permit me to
offer you bill from r.y own pocket" ."
He drew out fat wallet.
The situation appeared to be sim
| plifed And yet Orme was dubious.
There was mischief in the bill; so
much he felt sure of. Alcatrante's s
reputation was that of fox. and as
| for Poritol he was, to say the least, a
person of uncertain qualities. Orme
could not but admire the subtle man
ner in which Alcatrante sought deli
| cately to limit his doubts to the mere
| possibility that Poritol was trying to
| pass spurious money. He decided not
TO settle the question at this moment.
This seems to be rather mixed
up affair. Senior Alcatrante," he said.
| There is much more in it than ap-
pears. Call on me tomorrow morn
ing and you shall have my decision" "
Alcatrante and Poritol looked at
| each other. The minister spoke:
will you engage not to give the
bill to anyone else in the interval?"
| Il will promise that" said Orme.
1t is only fair. Yes. l will keep the
| bill until tomorrow morning"
"One other suggestion continued
l Alcatrante. You may not be willing
| to give up the bill. but is there any
reason why you should refuse to lei
Senior Poritol copy the writing tha,
is on it,"
"Only my determination to think
| the whole matter over before ] dc
anything at ALL" Orme replied.
"But the bill CAME into your hands
by chance" insisted the minister
The information means nothing to
you, though obviously 1t means q
great deal to my young friend. here
May ] ask what right you have to
deny this reQuest?"
What right Orme's eyes mar.
rowed. MY right is that / have the
bill and the information. and intend
to understand the situation better be-
fore I give the information TO anyone
else"