The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-01-03
CHAPTER II.
An AHabIe Rogue.

Hill, DuL LuSlT CldIuOT UIUhe against d
cOmposure as effective as granite The
roar was almost directly succeeded by
low gurgle, as of little waves reced-
ing. The proposed victim had not
spoken a word; to the Arabs it was
not necessary; in some manner, subtle
and indescribable, they recognized a
brother. He carried long, cylindri-
cal bundle wrapped In heavy paper
variously secured by windings of thick
Irvine. His regard for this bundle was
one Of tender soicitude, for he tucked
1t under his arm, cumbersome though
1t was, and waved aside the carriage
porter, who was, however, permitted
to carry in the kit-bag.
The manager appeared. When comes
he not upon the scene? His quick,
calculating eye was not wholly as
sured. The strangers homespun was
travel-worn and time-worn, and Of a
cut popular to the season gone the
year before. No fat letter of credit
here, was the not unreasonable conclu-
sion reached by the manager. Still,
with that caution acquired by years
Of experience, which had eliminated
In what is known as Swiss diplomacy,
he broughtSinto being the accustomed
salutatory smile and inquired If the
gentleman had written ahead for res
ervation, otherwise 1t would not be
possible to accommodate him.
II telegraphed." crisply.
1.-THE name, Il you please"
"Ryanne; spelled R-y-a double-n e.
Have you ever been in County Clare?"
mo, sir" The manager added a
question with the uplift of his eye
brows.
WELL" was the enlightening an.
swer, "you pronounce 1t as they do
there"
The manager scanned the little slip
OF paper in his hand. "Ah, yes; we
have reserved room for you, sir.
The French style rather confused me. "
This was not offered in irony, or sar-
casm, or satire; mining in Swiss
brain for the saving grace of humor
Is about as remunerative as the ex-
traction of gold from sea.water. New
ertheless, the Swiss has the talent Of
swiftly subtracting from a confusion
OF ideas one point Of illumination:
there was a quality to the strangers
tone that decided him favorably. 1t
was the voice Of man in the habit
Of being obeyed; and in these days it
was the power of money alone that
obtained obedience to any man. Be.
yond this, the same nebulous cogita-
ton that had subdued the Arabs out
side acted likewise upon him. Here
was a brother.
"Mail?"
II will see, SIR" The manager sum-
moned porter. Room 20S.".
The porter caught up the somewhat
collapsed kitsbag, which had in all evil
dence received some rough usage in
Its time, and reached toward the roll
Mr.. Ryanne interposed.
Il will see to that, my man." terse.
ly.
"Yes, sir"
where is your guest-list?" de-
manded Mr.. Ryanne of the manager.
1.-THE head.porter's bureau, sir.
will see If you have any mail" The
manager passed into his own bureau.
1t was rather difficult to tell whether
this man was an American or an Eng
lishman. His accent was western, but
his manner was decidedly British. At
any rate, that tone and carriage must
be Fashioned by good English soter-
eigns, or for once his judgment was
at fault.
The porter dashed upstairs. Mr..
Ryanne, his bundle still snug under
his arm, sauntered over to the head
porter's bureau and ran his glance up
and down the columns of visiting
cards. Once he nodded with approval,
and again he smiled, having discov-
cred that which sent ripple across
his sleeping sense of amusement. Ma
jor Callahan, room 206; Fortune Ched-
soye, EOS; George P. A. Jones, 21O.
"Hm! the Major smells of County
Antrim and the finest whisky in all
the isle. Fortune Chedsoye; that Is a
pleasing name; tinkling brooks, the
waving green grasses in the mead.
ows, the kline in the water, the fleet.
ing shadows under the oaks; a pas.
toral, bucolic name. To claim For.
tune for mine own; happy thought
AS he uttered these poesy express.
sions aloud, in voice low and not un.
pleasing, for all that it was banter.
ing, the headporter stared at him with
mingling doubt and alarm; and as ii
to pronounce these emotions mutely
for the benefit of the other, he per
mitted his eyes to open their widest
Tut, tut; that's all right, porter.
am cursed with the habit of speaking
my Utmost thoughts. Some persons
are afflicted with insomnia; some fall
asleep in church; think orally. Beast
iy habit, eh?"