The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-10-18

Cameron's, after talk with the nurse,
and | promised to return In an hour.
The Interval was devoted to a cold
bath, a shave, and change of cloth
ing at my rooms; and at six | was
back again, talking once more with
Checkabeedy who was personally serv-
ing me with coffee in the breakfast
room.
Between you and me-" began,
there is small need Of concealment In
this matter of Mr.. Cameron's dlsap-
pearance and return, his coming as re-
markable and mysterious as his going.
think am experienced enough to un-
dcrstand that such an affair as this
cannot be kept entirely secret--espe-
cially not from Mr.. Cameron's serv-
ants--and 1t is better, Checkabeedy,
that you should understand it thor
oughly. | can fancy the distorted
story that has been circulated below
stairs. That more rumors, wide of the
truth, have not leaked out and gained
press publicity, speaks very we'll for
you and your staff, and l congratulate
you on your loyalty and good iudg-
ment. All | ask now Is that you will
continue to be guarded in what you
say. A single unadvised word might
interfere very materially with our eff
forts to trace the guilty ones and bring
than IN nrniahmont
And then ] told him as much as l
deemed wise of the facts of the alb
duction, of my chance finding of his
master the previous night, and of my
anxiety concerning his present condi-
ton.
"And above all things, Checkabee-
dy," added in conclusion, don't look
solemn and distressed when Miss Eve
lyn is present. Before her, no matter
how We really feel, we must appear
confident"
A little later the morning papers
were brought in, and scanned one
after another in search of some new
twist or turn of the story Of the previ-
Gus afternoon. The more conservative
journals were inclined to make light
Of the scare. Mr.. Cameron" said
one, ceased to be active in the affairs
Of the Crystal Consolidated over two
years ago. II he be i'll, which is by no
means certain, the fact can have but
little real significance so far as the
company of which he is the largest
shareholder is concerned. 1t may be
stated on the best authority that Mr.,
Cameron's shares have never been
used speculatively, and that even in
the event of his death they could not
by any possibility come ON the market,
for the reason that he has provided
trust fund, by will, for the benefit of
his niece, and that they are a part of
that fund"
The sensational press, of course,
still insisted that the Glass King was
in New England sanitarium, though
they had failed to locate the institu-
ton. Despite my alarm l smiled at
the thought of how their afternoon
editions would have to eat the leak, as
the Welsh say.
The papers finished, grew restless.
desired constant news from the sick
room, and lacking it, roamed about
the house, in nervous unease, my brain
busy with conjecture, forming one
theory after another, and Diminishing
each rs readily. The situation was
tantallsm. The answer to all the ques-
tons which had absorbed me for
weeks lay dormant in the brain Of the
man sleeping beyond that closed door.
Theories, therefore, were now more
futile than ever The one accomplish
ment to be asked was the arousing of
an intellect, the stirring of memory.
DR.. Massey had promised that when
Cameron awakened mental clarity
would be restored, that he would be
able to answer questions with intelli-
gence.
1t is bard to explain why I doubted
this think it must have been some
thing | saw in those dull, vacuous
eyes, when | first looked into them UNI
der the pale light of the white-globed
electric street lamps. If | had been
forced to identify Cameron by those
eyes alone, should have said that
this man was not he. They were so
different, lacking all the expression of
the Cameron eyes knew. And yet l
made no question as to his identity. l
knew him, despite this; knew that
strong chin and jaw, which spelled de-
termination in two syllables; knew his
broad, generous nose, and his high in
tellectual forehead. These points OF
recognition were so convincing, that |
could afford to ignore the eyes had
never seen before and the wasted
frame and the shrunken, unsteady
legs.
At brief intervals l consulted the
clocks. 1t was marvellous how the
time dragged. And that nurse! Would
he never have an errand outside the
suite? had told him | should spend
the morning in the house, and that I
wished to be informed Of the slightest
change in his patient. must conclude,
therefore, that Cameron was still sleep
ing, that Bryan was still watching.
From the fact that Evelyn had not
yet appeared | drew measure Of con-
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