The Columbus journal., 1911-02-01
CHAPTER %.

the copy in q drawer.
CHAPTER u.
Senior Poritoi.
When Orme answered the knock at
the door a singular young man stood
at the threshold. He was short, wtry,
and very dark. His nose was long and
complacently tilted at the end. His
eyes were small and very black. His
mouth was a wide, uncertain slit In
his hand he carried light cane and
silk hat of the flat-brimmed French
type. And he wore a gray sack suit,
pressed and creased with painful ex-
actness.
Come in, Senior Poritol," said
Orme, motioning toward a chair.
The little man entered, with short.
rapid steps. He drew from his pocket
q clean pocket handkerchief, which he
unfolded and spread out on the surface
of 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
Orme. But now he turned, widening
bis face into smile and extending his
hand, which Orme took rather dubi-
ously-it was supple and moist
"Oh. this is Mr.. Orme. is 1t not?'
YES" said Orme. freeing himself
from the unpleasant handshake.
"Mr Robert Orme?"
Yes. that is my name. What can I
do for your"
For q moment Senior Poritol ap-
peared to hover like a timid bird;
then he seated himself on the edge of
q chair. only the tips of his toes touch
ing the floor. His eyes danced
brightly.
ITO begin with. Mr. Orme," he said.
Fl am charmed to meet you-very
charmed" He rolled his RS" after
q fashion that need not be reproduced.
And in the second place." he contin-
ued, while actually l am foreigner
in your dear country. regard myself
as in spirit one of your natives.
came here when q boy, and was edu-
Gated at your great University Of
Princeton"
You are Portuguese infer from
your name," said Orme.
"Oh. dear. no! oh. no. no, no." ex-
claimed Senior Poritol. tapping the
floor nervously with his toes. MY
country he freed himself from the
Portuguese yoke many and many a
year ago. I am q South American,
Mr.. Orme-one Of the poor relations
of your great country" Again the
widened smile. Then he suddenly be-
came grave. and leaned forward. his
hands on his knees. But this is not
the business of our meeting. Mr..
Orme."
Nor" inquired Orme.
mo, my dear sir. have como to
ask Of you about the five-dollar bill
which you received in the hat shop
this afternoon" He peered anxious
~. You still have it? You have not
spent it,"
= "A marked bill. was it mott"
Yes, yes. Where Is it. my dear
sir. where Is it,"
written across the face of 1t were
the words. Remember person you pay
this to-"
"Oh, yes, yes"
And on the back of it.
ION the back of it," gasped the 1T
tie man.
WAS a curious cryptogram."
DO not torture met" exclaimed
Senior Poritol. Have you got it?"
His fingers worked nervously.
YES" said Orme slowly, II still
have It."
Senior Poritol hastily took q fresh
nvedollar bill from his pocket "See, :"
he said. Jumping to the floor. here
is another Just as good bill. 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 HISTORICALLY.
THAT. and that alone. Is my business
with you, dear sir"
Orme's hand went to his pocket.
The visitor watched the motion Gag.
erly, and a grimace of disappointment
contracted his features when the hand
came forth, holding a cigar case.
Have one." Orme urged.
In his anxiety the little man almost
danced. But, sir" he broke forth, Il
am in desperate hurry. I must meet
O friend. I must catch a train
''One moment" interrupted Orne
II can't very we'll give up that bill
until I know little better what II
means. You will have to show me
that you are entitled to it-and"-he
smiled-"meantime you'd better
smoke"
Senior Poritol sighed. Il can as.
sure you of my honesty of purpose
sir" he said. Il cannot tell you about
it. I have not the time. Also, 1t is
not my secret. This bill. sir, Is just
as good as the other one"