Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-20
CHAPTER III.

In what corner of that squald lodging
house Ambrose Drake slept no one save
he and Chicot knew. At = o'clock the
next morning he appeared from some
where underground. and with a little
package under his arm turned breakfast
less into the street. Half an hour later
he was selling matches under one of the
arches of London bridge. For some time
the stream of people was constant and
the pennies he received were fairly fire.
Guent. When the passers-by began to
thin he left his place and. crossing the
street. bought a cup of coffee and roll
at the stall upon which his hungry eyes
had been fixed for some time. Afterward
he walked back to the lodging house and
turned into the little sitting room. where
he and his companion had sat the night
before. With the air of one used to such
duties. he lighted the stove, made coffee
in scrupulOusly clean pot. and arranged
it. with the rolls and butter which he
had bought on his homeward way. on a
tray. Then he went TO the door and
called out. and presently a small child,
addressed and ragged. came into the
room. He pointed to the tray.
Take it up carefully" he said. See
that you do not spill the coffee. Tell the
young lady that it's wet and that she
had better rest. Say that / am gone out
for an hour-perhaps longer
The child took UP the tay and carried
it up the bare stairs. Once more Drake
left the house. This time he turned
northward. crossed the bridge, made an
inquiry of a policeman whom lie APP
preached with some hesitation, and fol-
lowed the directions given. In a few
minutes he found himself inside a large
public library The assistant behind the
desk handed him the book lie asked for
with "A smile. He took 1t TO table in
the reference room and began his search
In less than five minutes he had found
what he wanted. He drew little breath
between his teeth. There it was. easy to
read, easy to Observation-Disclosures Will
liam George Cuthbertson Ellingham.
sixth marquis" He passed rapidly over
the titles and honors set forth in nearly
half a page of black type He took no
interest In the country seats or pursuits
of the man whose pedigree WIS here
blaZoned out. The town address, IL Cav
endish square-that was what he wanted.
He closed the book, returned ii over
the desk to the young man, who looked
at him once more with a family curious
smile, and walked out into the street.
Presently he found himself standing upon
the doorstep of al imposing mansion
and enduring the surprised stare of a very
dignified person in plain black clothes
His lordship is at home. the man
admitted but ne is not up. In any case.
he sees no one without an appointment ="
The man would have closed the door,
but brakes foot was in the way. His
lOrdShip will see me-. he said. Let me
speak to his secretary. or some one by
whom / can send a message.
A young man. smooth shaven. well
dressed, came strolling down the hall, evil
IDENTIFY on his way into the street. He
looked with surprise at the queer little
object who was standing just inside the
door.
WHO is this. Graves he asked.
"A person inquiring for his lordship.
sir" the servant answered. Il was just
closing the door
You had better tell me what you want"
said the young man, add essing Drake
Il am the Marquis of Ellingham's sec
retary''
MY business is with the marquis him.
self" Drake answered with something
in his tone which was almost a snarl.
Look at me. Look at me we'll. Now
go and tell your master that the person
whom you can describe is here to See
him. Don't tiatter me- Tell him what
l am like
The young man was on the point of
making curt reply. Suddenly he
paused. He remembered how. the night
before, he had seen the telephone slip
from the nerveless fingers of the mar
qus, and his face suddenly grow white.
as though with fear. He wondered for
moment if the coming Of this strange
individual had anything to do with that
mysterious message. He turned on his
heel.
Keep this person here for few min