Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-09-01
CHAPTER u.
senior porl.oI.

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 fat-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 q chair.
The little man entered, with short,
rapid steps He drew from his pocket
a 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 1t
stand against the table edge, laid his
c-ne ON the floor.
Not until all this ceremony had been
completed did he appear to notice
Orme. But now he turned. widening
his face into smile and extending his
hand, which Orme took rather dubi-
ously--lt was supple and moist
"Oh, this Is Mr.. Orme, is it not?"
"Yes." said Orme, freeing himself
from the unpleasant handshake.
mr.. Robert Orme?"
Yes. that 10 my name. What can I
do for your"
For q moment Senior Poritol APP
peared to hover like a timid bird;
then he seated himself on the edge Of
a chair, only the tips of his toes touch
ing the floor. His eyes danced
brightly.
TO begin with, Mr.. Orme." he said.
''I am charmed to meet you-very
charmed" He rolled his 'r's" after
a fashion that need not be reproduced.
'-And in the second place." he contin-
lued, while actually am q foreigner
IN your dear country. regard myself
las In spirit one Of your natives.
came here when boy. and was edu-
Gated at your great University of
Princeton"
You are Portuguese infer from
your NAME" said Orme.
"Oh, dear, mol Oh, no, no. mol" ex.
claimed Senior Poritol. tapping the
floor nervously with his toes. my
country he freed himself from the
Portuguese yoke many and many q
year ago. am a 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 come tc
ask Of you about the five-dollar bill
which you received In the hat shoI
this afternoon" He peered anxious
Iiy. You still have It? You have moi
spent it,"
"A marked bill, wan It not?'
Yes, yes. Where Is 1t, my deal
isir, where is it?"
Written across the face of it were
the words. Remember person you pa,
this to-
"Oh, yes. yes"
And on the back Of tt"
"on the back Of itl" gasped the Lit
tile man.
Was a curious cryptogram."
DO not torture mel" exclaimed
Senior Poritol Have you got it?'
His fingers worked nervously.
Yes" said orme slowly. Il still
have It."
Senior Poritol hastily took fresl
hve-dollar bill from his pocket See.
The said. jumping to the floor. ''her'
is another just as good bill. l Civ
this to you In return for the bin whicl
was paid to you this afternoon" H,
thrust the new bill toward Orme. an,
waved his other hand rhetorically
'"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 grimace Of disappointment
contracted his features when the hans
came forth, holding a cigar case.
"Have one," Orme urged.
In his anxiety the little man almos
danced. But. sir" he broke forth, e
am In desperate hurry. l must NEE
a friend. | must catch a train"
"One moment" interrupted Orme
II can't very well give up that bill
until l know little better what 1
means. You will have to show m,
that you are entitled to it--and"-h,
smiled-"meantime you'd bette
smoke"
Senior Poritol sighed. Il can as
sure you Of my honesty of purpose
sir" he said. Il cannot tell you abou
1T have not the time. Also. It /.
not my secret This bill, sir. is jus
as good as the other one"
Very likely" said Orme dryly. II,
was wondering whether this was som,
new countereiting dodge. How easil,
most persons could be induced Il
make the transfer!
A counterfeiter. however. would
hardly work by so picturesque and
noticeable method. unless he were
carefully disguised-hardly even then
Was Senior Poritol disguisedg Orms
looked 81 him more closely. Nc. he
could see where the roots OF ths
coarse black hair Joined the scalp
And there the least evidences
OF M eca Neyertheae
Oras a. 49,. -sr4 ~ in giving
~ ~ s.io =