Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1914-11-25

AAs&AA y
place he had interrupted, entered the
same building by the basement way.
This latter person was q tall, dark
man, Enthusiastically Latin in type, and
that the house was familiar to him
was evinced by the air with which he
manipulated the latch and admitted
himself. n %'s. .S -
The little hall was stuffy and Ill
lighted by single gas-burner in q
wire cage. and from the rear room
came the odor of cooking. But it was
not these facts that caused the man
to stop short, the crease between his
eyes deepening as he stood listening
In the hall above Leigh's footstel
could be plainly heard. The man be
low approached the staircase with ab
sOlute noiselessness, and ascending
part way managed to get good look
at the sculptor without allowing him
self to be seen. All unconscious, the
latter continued to tramp up toward
the attics, and with muttered oath
quickly suppressed, the watcher re
turned to the basement as cautiously
as he had assembled. At the door o.
the front room he tapped discreetly
and after a brief interval, during which
there was "a scurrying sound within
and the muffled closing of some int
rior door, that before which he stood
was opened a crack while q smooth
voice, with only a. slight foreign &C
cent, inquired who was without. I. !.
3s},I.''It is only me. Open up, Ricardo,
replied the man in the hall. at which
the door. was thrown back. revealing
a2gtall, bearded man who waved an
invitation to enter. III s:' itIs a..@.,- y y
All, Yznaga!" he exclaimed N
Spanish. $50 1t Is thou! Enter, my
friend, but I beg you will remember
that in this house I. am Mr.. Rowe
Such EXPLANATIONS, however. cordial
must not be made in the public halls!'
Ever cautious!''' exclaimed the Wis
itor. Now l am not even to speak
aloud! Well, you are wise! I obey!'
Us. He seated himself beside the table
and mopped his face with a thin Sill
handkerchief. A fine figure OF q man
almost noble in bearing, and excep
tionally we'll dressed beneath his
shabby overcoat. Rowe brought out
glasses and a decanter, pouring fol
his guest and himself. Ill t.;s \. +
1.-THE house Is at your disposal" N
said, after the Spanish manner. Then
this formal courtesy discharged, h
leaned anxiously toward the other.
did you see him." he asked.
Yznaga nodded. / s.:s +; VI "A !l&
Il did" i & 3$@. Il: h }s.s
'""And he will buy the necessary q
maments?" M ,sssss 81 ,{ss vs. II,
Eyes, but he is hard customer
that Van y. y. , &sS:.:--:ssl 4 4;
Hush! Not that name, above al
others! implored the host. That ht
will pay is all i need to hear" 55s-5
"He will pay for them,' responded
Yznaga. Moreover, he is no fool
and intends dealing through me onl!
as an agent. No cash! But we shal
arrange the estimate and the bid II
such way as to retain a little fol
ourselves, Ell e. A.. N. Js - 4: gss ,
"No, our wealthy patron would b
difficult to defraud. He is man t.
whose capability make my bow! Ant
his caution! BY the way" he added
abruptly, who lives on the top hool
of this building?" IL: as% " r J.
"a painter by the name OF Samue
HILL" replied Rowe. IAN easy-goint
young man. He's the landlord" u.s..
Have you any acquaintance will
him ~ ;. 3, H S, 4. }5:5 j..
mo more than is absolutely neces
sary!"" q 4: 4. ,.5y 55 s5.i ;.s IT,
"Ah! your exclusiveness! Sometimel
/ think that it is mistake-that II
will attract attention.! But OF that
later. Tell me, is this landlord Of
yours tall, homely fellow? t55 4 4
no" said Rowe, why do you ask !?
Y because when He-of-whom-you
know and I were parting just now,
such person interrupted us, whether
Intentionally or not, ] cannot tell. But
he recognized Wander - ~ recognized
him, of that much I am certain. And
what is more, he followed me to this
house and is upstairs at this moment!'
For a moment Rowe glared at tht
other with an expression Of intent
alarm. Then his features relaxed.
b "a great, tall fellow, did you say?'
be unused. Then azlight broke upoI
him. "a giant, with long face ant
ungainly carriage; that would b.
Leigh, the sculptor, a great friend o.
the landlord. And he would know him
also! III: No need to worry about that
AS for his following you. that wa.
mere coincidence. He comes here t.
visit Hill almost daily ..sa.
"You relieve my mind, Rowe" re
piled Yznaga. lighting q cigarette
,"And now for our project. He-of-whom
you-know refuses absolutely to commit
himself on paper. He will spend, yes
It is for . great purpose, in noble
cause! But he will sign nothing!
What have we to hold him by ?"
"The money he spends!' replied
Rowe grimly. : 81. RI, ft-,5f4 u
win that sunice? This business II
against the law, you know, and"
~ have something that will hold
him, ;" replied Rowe. Il still have the
thing by means OF which first inter
ested him!" ji.s 49, .st ..
4 (Which is7'"' said the other sugges
lively. ,3.5G a. s-y...5
Rowe laughed, an unpleasant laugh
that was characteristic Of him. and
reached for the wine.
THAT. my simple friend. I am moi
going to reveal" said he politely. but
it, efficacy you need not doubt. Haa
It not sunlced so far7 Why should
you doubt that 1t will work in the fu
ture, until we have sucked this simple
American gentleman dry? Paugh!
/ hold him in the hollow OF my hand!'
80 you possess knowledge of some
secret that he fears the exposure Of!
All, 1 suspected as much. y
II have not said SO" replied Rowe
smiling confidently at the end of his
cf1aretfe "Be content, Yznaga, thai