The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-03-03
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tinnabulat1On-aS II the telephone Dell
in the front room had been ringing for
some time.
But he waited in vain for repetition
Of the sound, and eventually concluded
that he had been mistaken; 1t had
been an echo from his dreams, most
likely. Besides, who should call him
up? Not two people knew that he
was in town; not even O'Hagan was
aware that he had returned to his
rooms that morning.
He gaped again, stretching wide his
arms, sat up on the edge of the bed.
and heard the clock strike II.
Noon and i :. He had an en-
gagement at two! He frightened at
the memory and, jumping up, pressed
an electric call button on the wall. By
the time he had padded barefoot to the
bathroom and turned on the cold-wa-
ter tap, O'Hagan's knock summoned
him to the hall door.
Back again, O'Hagan; and in q
desperate rush. I'll want you to shave
ME and send some kilograms, please.
Must be off by 1870. You may get out
my gray-striped fannels" he
paused, calculating his costume with
careful discrimination a black.
striped negligee shirt; gray socks;
russell low shoes; black and white
check tie-broad wings. You know
where to find them all?"
''Shure yiss, sor."
O'Hagan showed no evidence of SUI.
prise; the eccentricities of Mr.. Matt
land could not move him, who was in
ured to them through long association
and observation. He moved away to
execute his instructions, quietly ef-
ficient. By the time Maitland had
finished splashing and gasping in the
bathtub everything was ready for the
ceremony of dressing.
In other words, 20 minutes later
Maitland, bathed, shaved, but still in
dressing gown and slippers, was seated
at his desk, cup of black coffee
steaming at his elbow, number OF
yellow telegraph blanks before him, a
pen poised between his fingers.
1t was in his mind to send wire
to Cressy, apologizing for his deser-
ton of the night just gone, and an
nOuncing his intention to rejoin the
party from which the motor trip to
New York had been as planned but a
temporary detection, in time for din
ner that same evening. He nibbled
the end of the penholder, selecting
phrases, then looked up at the at
tentive O'Hagan
Bring me New Haven time table,
please" he began, and"
The door bell abrupted his words,
clamoring shrilly.
What the deuce?" he demanded.
who can that be? Answer it, will
you, O'Hagan?"
He put down the pen, swallowed his
coffee, and lit a cigarette, listening to
the murmurs at the hall door. An in
slant later, O'Hagan returned, bearing
slip of white pasteboard which he de-
posted on the desk before Maitland.
James Burleson Snaith,'" Matt
land read aloud from the faultlessly
engraved card. Il don't know him.
What does he want?"
Wouldn't say, sor; seemed sur
prised whin towld him We were in,
an said he was glad to hear .it-busi-
ness pressin', says he."
'Snaith?' But never heard the
name before. What does he look like?"
"A gintleman. sor, be tn clothes av
him an tn way he talks"
well : Devil take the man!
Show him in"
Very good. sor."
Maitland swung around In his desk
chair, his back to the window. express
sion politely curious, as his caller en-
tered the room, pausing, hat in hand,
just across the threshold.
He proved-to be man apparently
o. middle age, of height approximating
Maitland's; his shoulders were slightly
rounded as II from habitual bending
over a desk, his pose mild and defer
entail. BY his eyeglasses and peering
look, he was near-sighted; by his
dress, a gentleman of taste and judg-
nlent as well as of means to crafty
both. A certain jaunty and summary
touch in his attire suggested person
Of leisure who had just run down from
his country place for day in town.
His voice, when he spoke, did moth
ing to dispel the illusion.
Mr.. Maitland?" he opened the con.
versation briskly. Il trust. do not
intrude? | shall be brief as possible.
II you will favor me with private in
terview."
Maitland remarked voice well mod
ulated and q good choice Of words. He
rose courteously
Il should be pleased to do So. he
suggested, III you could advance any
reason for such request
Mr.. Snaith smiled discreetly. FINN.
bling In his side pocket. "A second slip
OF cardboard appeared between his nm
gers a. he stepped over toward Matt.
land.
II had not feared It might deprive
- T.