New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-05-11
VOW GO on WIN TN sroRY

tie returned 30 his hotel that after,
noon pretty well satisfied with his
efforts and hopeful that some of the
seed he had sawn broadcast would be-
ripe for the reanine ere long. nnt
he received an electric shock AZ he
approached the desk. for the bell cap
tain addressed him, saying
Mr., Hapiland wishes 10 see you M
once. In his office
There was a curious brightness 10
the imnostef's eyes, a reckless, mock
Ing smile npon his line, when he
stepped Into the managers office.
Hayiland handed him q copy of the
leading afternoon paper, and Gray's
eyes flashed 10 the headline Of an ar
ficle reading:
TfoSAL EXPLOITS. IN DALLAS
ADVENTURES READ LIKE PAGE
OF ROMANCE
FAMOUS FISANcIER ADMITS
LARGE OH. INTERESTS
BEHIND HIM
From the opening paragraph Gray
Judged that he had impressed the re-
porter even more deeply than he had
supposed. but he took no satisfaction
fherefrom. for Hayiland was saying:
1--WE read the whole story, but |
want you to tell me something more
about yourself"
What do YOU wish to know"
Were you in France?" ..-=
Over the visitors face there came
bn
tering, he had worn an expression of
careless defiance, now he appeared to
harden in every fiber and to go on
guard.
II have been many times in
France
Il mean during the war. Did you
serve?"
There was pause. II did" Gray's
eyes remained fixed upon his inter
rogator, but they had begun to
smolder.
Then you're Colonel Gray. Colonel
Calvin Gray"
quite so.' The speakers voice |
was harsh. and it came with an effort. |
but you didn't read that in the Post. |
Come. What's the idea? Out with
It,"
Strange circles we move in" Havi- |
land was saying. ''Do you know who
owns the controlling interest in this
hotel? Surely you must know or
can guess. Think a moment It's
somebody you met over there and
have reason to remember"
A sound escaped from the throat of
Colonel Gray-not cry, but rather
gasp of amazement, or of rage
Aha" Haviland grinned in tri-
umph. u thought
His guest leaned forward over the
desk, with face twitching. Passion
had driven the blood from it, and his
whole expression was one of such
hatred, such fury the metamorphosis
was so startling, that the hotel man
stiffened in his chair and stared up
ward in sudden amazement.
"Nelson!" Gray Evacuated. Mel
son! BY God, So. He's here'
Haviland stirred. Il don't know
what you're talking about. Who's
Nelson" After second he ex-
claimed: Good Lord! / thought l
had a pleasant surprise for you, and
was gracefully leading up to it, but
Il must have iazZed it all up. I
was going to tell you that the hotel
and everything in it is yours
"Eho"
why, the Ajax is one of the Dietz
chain. Herman Dietz of Cincin-
sat owns it. He left for the North
not All hour ago. At the last minute
he heard you were here-read this
story In the paper-and had bell
boys securing the place for you"
Colonel Gray uttered another ex-
llamation, this time an eXpletive of
ieep relief. He fought with himself
/ moment. then murmured an apol-
,gy. Sorry. You gave me Il start
Herman Dietz, oh
Well, well. You made me think for
moment that | was a guest in the
!ouse Of some other--friend."
"Triend?"
Exactly" Gray was himself again
row He ran a loosening finger be-
wen his collar and throat. quite