The Lamar register., 1918-01-16


when he fell from the good-breeding
manners of former days. 1t was after
dark when Ben reached Faneville, half
the compass of his trip citywards.
He had fifteen cents left of the half
dollar Mrs. Morley had given him and
he invested ten of 1t in a cup of cof-
fee and some rolls. Then he went
down the street, entered hotel and
sat down In an arm chair in Its lobby.
It was n truly agreeable situation to
have the entree to responsibility once
more, for no lynx-eyed porter or Off
cious desk clerk resented his pres
ence. The suit was conspicuous, but
tasteful. not loud. but 1t had "A GER
tain Independent identity. 1t had orig
inally cost over forty dollars, so its
present wearer passed muster as to
personal appearance.
Coincidence or fate, Hal Morley had
/ left that very hotel as Ben entered 1t.
, Morley had come to Faneville for his
bank at his home town. where he was
employed. His mission was to meet
wealthy old invalid against whom the
bank had disputed claim Of nearly
| ten thousand dollars. Morley had
seen Mr.. John Archer about the middle
of the afternoon and had gone over
the business he had been commissioned
to transact. Mr.. Archer was in charge
of u male nurse and after he and
Morley had agreed upon a compromise.
| directed him to come to the hotel at
eight O'Clock that evening. when he
would adjust the matter finally.
At about half-past seven Morley en-
tered the hotel, saw that he was too
early and decided to take brief stroll
to put In the time. Ben Dorkins,
luxuriating in the capacious arm
chair, had been seated less than five
| minutes when young man came down
the stairs, seemed to recognize him at
glance and handed him a MANILA
envelope.
"Mr. Archer has had one of his bad
spells" said the newcomer. 'He told
me to hand you this and have the
bank send back the notes. 1 can't de-
lay, sir. Mr.. Archer may be taken
worse at any moment" and away sped
the speaker. leaving Ben in n half
Supplied condition.
Here's queer GO" soliloquized
Ben. "Oh, my" He had removed
the band securing the envelope. He
stared and thrilled as he noted its con
tents-bank notes. One of them. he
noticed, was of one thousand dollars
! denomination. For a flashing instant
Ben realized that he had been taken
| for some one else and entrusted with
small fortune. and wild temptation
| crossed his mind. Then, his lips com
pressed. his chest stood out and he
went up to the clerks desk.
as there a Mr.. Archer here?" he
asked. Il must see him at once"
mot TO be disturbed-he is Ill. I'll
send for his secretary. If you like"
do so. please" replied Ben and he
fumbled nervously with one OF the
hotel cards on a tray. and uncon-
sciously slipped 1t Into his pocket as
the same young man who had given
the envelope TO him appeared.
The latter looked startled and
frightened as Ben told his story.
II mlstook you on account of the
Clothes" stammered Mr.. Archer's sec
rotary. THANK you greatly, sir" and
Ben left the hotel In sort of vague
and dissatisfied mood. He had trnv-
tTStu SIuuItH ullu hhb
turned into dark side street, when
three men who had followed him
since he left the hotel sprang upon
him.
Ben was knocked senseless. He
came back to consciousness to ind
himself lying on u couch In the smok
ing room of the hotel. He caught the
words: "We brought him here be-
cause all we found on him was one of
the hotel cards." and. staring about
him, Ben noticed a man wearing II suit
that was "A prototype Of his own-Hal
Morley.
Hes the man I gave the envelope
q to. and who returned It," spoke Mr..
Archer's secretary.
II hope he Is not hurt seriously"
spoke Morley. In solicitous tone.
why, there Is only one solution to this
mystery. Someone must have been
watching out for me to get that money
and followed and attacked him, vnking
him for myself"
The mystery was wholly solved when
Ben learned the identity OF Hal Nor
ley.
blessed little womanl" exclaimed
Hal .sRut for her penerous pift of