Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-12-08

secret. Why should l tell you the
truth about it? You have no right to
know"
Orme retained his hold. ri don't
like your looks, my friend" he said.
There may have been a why
you should lie to me, but you will
have to make things clear" He con-
sidered. After all, he must make al
lowance; SO he said: Come back to-
morrow with evidence that you are
entitled to the bill, and you shall have
t." He released Senior Poritol.
The little man had recovered his
composure. He went back to the ta-
BILE and took up his hat and cane, re-
folding the handkerchief and slipping
1t into his pocket. Once more he was
the Latin fop. lie approached Orme,
and his was deprecatory.
my most abject apologies for at
lacking you. sir. I was beside myself.
But IL you will only permit me l will
bring up my friend, who is waiting
below. He will, as you say, vouch for
me-"
who is heT"
"A very, very distinguished man."
Orme pondered. The adventure vac
opening up, and he felt inclined to see
1t through. Bring him." he said
! shortly.
When Senior Poritol had disap-
peared Orme telephoned to the clerk.
Send me up a 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 a 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 ayes 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?
II am glad to meet you," said Orme
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 a secret be
longing to me. What that secret is
Is immaterial to you, and me, l take
1t. He is an honorable young man
excitable, perhaps, but well-meaning
l 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 tt
offer you a bill from my own pocket
He drew out a fat wallet.
The situation appeared to be sim
plined. And yet Orme was dubious
There was mischief in the bill; SC
much he felt sure Of. A~lcatrante'i
reputation was that Of a fox, and al
for Poritol. he was, to say the least, {
person Of uncertain qualities. Ormt
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 t.
pass spurious money. He decided no
to settle the question at this moment
This seems to be rather a miAyt
up affair, Senior Alcatrante," he said
''There 10 much more In II than ap
pears. Call on me tomorrow morn
Ing and you shall have my deoision.