Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-03
CHAPTER XVI.
The Waiter at the BLACK Post"


was becoming late. found an outtitter 5
shop in the Strand still open, and made
such purchases as he could on Morrison's
behalf Then, with the bag ready packed
lie returned to his rooms. Time had
passed quickly during the last three
hours. 1t was nearly o o clock when lie
stepped out Of the lift and opened the
door OF his small suite Of rooms with the
latchkey which hung from his chain. He
BEGAN to change his clothes mechanically,
and he had nearly finished when the tele-
phone bell upon his table rang.
who's that?" he asked. taking up the
receiver.
Hall porter, SIR was the answer.
Person here wishes to see you particu-
larly."
"A person. Laverick repeated. Man or
woman
Man. sir"
Better send him up" Laverick ordered.
He a seedy looking lot. sir. the por-
ter explained. Il told him that scarcely
thought you'd see him.
Never mind" Laverick answered. Il
can soon get rid of the fellow If he $
cadging."
He went back to his room and finished
fastening his tie. His own affairs had
sunk q little into the background lately.
but the announcement of this unusual Wis
itor brought them back into his mind with
a rush. Notwithstanding his iron nerves,
his fingers shook as he drew on his dinner
jacket and walked out to the passageWay
to answer the bell which rang few sec
onds later. 4 man stood outside. dressed
in shabby black clothes, whose lace some
how was familiar to him, although he
could not, for the moment, place 1T.
DO you want to see me- l-averick
asked.
"If you please. Mr.. Laverick." the man
replied. III you could spare me just
moment
You had better come inside. then.
Laverick said closing the door and pre-
ceding the way into the sitting room AT
any rate. there was nothing threatening
about the appearance of this visitor-nor
anything official.
Il have taken the liberty OF coming.
SIR the man announced, TO ask you II
you can tell me where l can nnd MI.
Arthur Morrison"
Laverick's face showed no sign OF his
relief What he felt he succeeded In
keeping to himself.
you mean MorriSon-my partner,
suppose?" he answered.
IF you please, SIR" the man ADMITTED.
II wanted q word or two with him most
particular I found out his address from
the caretaker of your office. but ne don !
seem to have been home to his rooms al
all last night and they know nothihe
about him there"
"Your face seems familiar to me.
I,averick remarked. Where do you come
FROM"
The man hesitated.
II am the waiter. sir. at the Black
Post'-ittle bar and restaurant you
know" he added lust behind your of.
fees. sir. at the end Of Crooked Fr!ars
alley. You've been In once or twice. MI
Laverick. think. Mr. Morrison's a reg.
lar customer. He comes in for a drink
most mornings
Laverick nodded.
II knew I'd seen your face somewhere
he said. What do you want with Mr.
Morrison?"
The man was silent. He tw1rled his nal
and looked embarrassed.
IT'S q matter l shouldn't like to men
ton to any one except Mr.. morrison MINI
self, SIR he declared. finally. III you
could put me In the way OF seeing MIN
I'd be glad. / may say that II Wouid DC
to his advantage, too"
Iayerick was thoughtful for a moment
las II happens that's a little diff1cu I.
he explained. Mr.. Morrison and as
agreed on a matter Of business last night
I Undertook certain responsibilities Which
he should have shared and he arranged
TO leave the firm and the country al once
We parted-well not exactly the pest Oh
friends I am afraid I cannot give you
any information -,
"You haven't seen him since then, SIT
Laverick lied promptly. but he lied bad.
". His visitor was not In the least con
WINGED.
quite plain, sir" he said. TITS to do mir
a bit O good that I'm here. I'm not wish
ing him any harm at all. On the con
trary. it's a great deal more to MS al
vantage to see me tran IT Will be mine
to find him."
YOU had better be frank with me. Sup
nosing / knew where to catch Morrison
before he left the country. l could easily
deal with you on his behalf"
The man looked doubtful.
You see, SIR" he replied. awkwardly
! ats a matter I wouldn't like to breaths
q word about to any one but Mt. MorH'
SON himself. lists a bit serious"
The mans face gave weight to MS
words. Curiously enough, the eieam o.
terror which Laverick caught in his white
face reminded him OF a similar loof
which he had seen in Morrison's eyes
barely an hour ago. To gain time Lay
erfck moved across the room. took Gig
arctic from a box and lit it, A convic'
ton was forming itself in his mind There
was something definite behind these hys
terical paroxysms of his late partner
something Of which this man had III
inkling.
into an easy chair. II think you had bet
ter be frank with me. must know more
than / know at present before I help you
to find Morrison. even II he Is to be found
We didn't part very good friends. but Tn,
his friend enough-for the sake Of Others.
he added. after q moments hesitation,
ito do ali that I could to help him out
Of any dimculty he may have stumbled
into. So you see that 80 far as anything
YOU may have 20 say to him Is concerned.
I think you might as well say II to me- o. ;.
.sYou couldn't see your way, then. Sir.
the man continued doggedly ito tell me
where could find Mr.. Morrison himself?'
mo, couldn't" Laverfck decided.
Even IL I knew exactly where ne was.
and I'm not admitting that-l couidn I
put you in touch with him unless ! knew
what your business was"
The mans eyes cleaned. He was
typical NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. unwholesome-
iookine-but he had small eyes OF green
ish cast and they were expressive
Il think. sir" he said. you've some
idea Yourself, then. that Mr.. Morrison has
been getting into q bit OF trouble.
.sVre won't discuss that" Laverfck an