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

ssnor Porltei.
When Orme answered the knock at
ehe door a singular young man stood
at the threshold. He was short, wiry,
and very dark. His nose was long and
e~omplacently tilted at the end. His
ayes were small and very black. His
mouth was a wide, uncertain slit. In
his hand he carried a light cane and a
silk hat Of the flat-brimmed French
type. And he wore a gray sack suit,
pressed and creased with painful ex-
aetness.
"Come in, Senior Poritol," said
Orme, m~otioning toward a chair.
The little man entered, with short,
rapid steps. He drew from his pocket
b clean pocket handkerchief, which he
snfolded and spread out On the surface
pf the table. Upon the handkerchief
he carefully placed his hat and then,
after an Intellectual effort to make it
stand against the table edge, laid his
cane on the floor.
Not until all this ceremony had been
completed did he appear to notice
Drme. But now he turned, widening
bis face into a smile and extending his
hand, which Orme took rather dubt-
cusly-it was supple and moist
ooh, this is Mr.. Orme, Is 1t not7"
"Yes," said Orme, freeing himself
erom the unpleasant handshake.
"Mr. Robert Orme?"
Eyes, that is my name. What can
10 for you?"
For a moment Senior Poritol ap-
peared to hover like a timid bird;
then he seated himself on the edge OF
D chair, only the tips of his toes touch.
ing the floor. His eyes danced
brightly.
ITO begin with. Mr.. orme," he said,
r am charmed to meet you-very
charmed" He rolled his FRS" after
b fashion that need not be reproduced
sAnd in the second place." he contin'
ued, while actually / am a foreigner
In your dear country, I regard myself
as In spirit one Of your natives. !
same here when a boy, and was edu-
cated at your great University OF
Princeton"
"You are a Portuguese infer from
your name" said Orme.
"oh, dear, mo-! Oh, no, no, NOT, ex
claimed Senior Poritol, tapping the
door nervously with his toes. my
country he freed himself from the
Portuguese yoke many and many
gear ago.. l am a South American
Mr.. Orme-one Of the poor relations
Of your great country" Again thu
Widened smile. Then he suddenly be
came grave, and leaned forward, hi
hands on his knees. "But this Is no
the business Of Jul meeting, Mr.
Orme."
MOP" inquired Orme.
"No, my dear sir. I have come t,
ask Of you about the 1ve-dollar bill
which you received in the hat sho1
this afternoon" He peered anxious
b. you still have III You have no
spent it,"
"A marked bill. was 1t not7"
"Yes, yes. Where is it, my dea
sir, where is it?"
written across the face of 1t wer,
khe words, Remember person you pa.
khis to-"
"Oh, yes, yes."
aAnd - fhn hanIL ~ &k
ION the back Of iii" gasped the Iii
kie man
WAS a curious cryptogram."
do not torture mel" exclaime'
Senior Poritol. Have you got it?
His fingers worked nervously.
YES" said Orme slowly, Il stil
have It,"
Senior Poritol hastily took a fresl
thye-dollar bill from his pocket. "See,
he said, jumping to the floor, her
Is another Just as good a bill. | Civ
this to you in return for the bill whic.
was paid to you this afternoon" H
thrust the new bill toward Orme, an
waved his other hand rhetorically
f'That, and that alone, is my bushes
with you, dear sir"
Orme's hand went to his poke
The visitor watched the motion eal
erly, and a grimace Of disappointment
contracted his features when the han
came forth, holding a cigar case.
Have one" Orme urged.
In his anxiety the little man almos
danced. But, sir" he broke forth, I
am in desperate hurry. I must NEE
b friend. l must catch a train"
zone moment interrupted Ormt
Il can't very well give up that bi,
until / know a little better what
means. You will have to show m
that you are entitled to it-and"-h
smiled-"msantime you'd bette
smoke"
Senior Poritol sighed. g" can al
sure you Of my honesty Of purpose
dr." he said. Il cannot tell you abou
1t. / have NOT the time. Also, 1t /
not my secret This bill, sir, ID jus
~ good a. the other onAs"