("HAITKR Vll.—Continued.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13791, 24 October 1908, Page 6

CHAPTER VlLL . —Continued.

The Ken net Ii was a third-rate apart-lui'iit-luuise. with a saloon and restaurant on the st rcrt-lloor, and in a small front room on the third iloo' the («<» detect i \es found the man + 'ie\ w ere seeking. The aspect of the room, into which they were invited after knocking, w^s in 'keeping with the reputation and careless habits of its solitary occupant. The bed had not been made, and its [clothing hung in disorder over the footboard. A small oil-stove stood on one oi the chairs, while on a common deal table, the only one in the room, were several cooking-utensils and a few provisions. Near-by was a glass pitcher, one-third filled 'with stale beer, with a plate of crackers and foul-smelling cheese beside it. Throe pipes and a paper of loose tobacco occupied a shell on one of the walls. A hair-brush and comb, both decidedly unattractive, were lying near-by. Several soiled towels liung over the back of one of the chairs, while others were occupied by garments of the man, tossed down haphazard. A trunk covered with transportation labels stood in one corner, it was as slovenly a room for a decent man to oceup\ as one could well imagine. Yernol was in his shirt -sleew.s and a pair of carpet slippers when the detectives entered. Though a single swift. Ifierv gleam leaped up in his dark eyes when he iirst saw them, it vanished in-stant-ly, ami a grin displayed his irregular'yellow teeth. "The devil!" he exclaimed, in his dry, rasping voice. "Not meaning you. gentlemen — far from it. I thought 'twas tho chambermaid. Forsooth, the room looks as if 'twas time she paid i< a \isit. But I'm such a careless dog " "Don't make any apologies, Mr Yernol," Nick genially interposed, entering and extending his hand. "This is not a conventional hour for calling, you know. But you have neglected me since the .splendid service you did me, and my gratitude could not brook longer delay." "No more of that, Mr Carter," Vernol chuckled in his throat, and waved his hands in a deprecatory way. "What little I did for you, sir, I'd have done I for any man." •

"The service was not less on that account."

"But I've a fancy for such operations," said Vernol, now shaking hands with Chick and chuckling all the while in his grotesque fashion. "If a surgeon had that kind only, I'd have stuck to mv profession — instead of turning vagabond."

"I reckon you're something moro than that." laughed Chick. "A mat' may not always bo safely judged by whiit he says of himself." "Kill"'" Vernol's eyes dilated slight]v. "That's true of some men, no doubt , hut not of me. I'm as indolent ti dolt as ever went unhung. A Wandering Jew, that's what, sirs. Will you be seated V I have no cigars, but cigarettes and pipes in plenty." "We will not smoke, Mr Vernol, thank you." smiled Nick, taking a chair. "I wish, if you will allow me. to pay you in some way for the sor- \ ice you " "No, no!" Vernol interrupted him with a sharp cry. "If you speak of pay a^ain. Mr Carter, you will r.ffend me. I want nothing. T am glad to have done it, and glad to see you up and out again so quickly." "Yet smely some recompense " •Perdition!" Vernol interrupted again, with a wave and shruu. "I'll have nothing in the way of payment. Still, if you were inclined to do me service for service, the time may come when you can help me." "* "Most gladly," cried Nick, not finding it easy to read this fellow. "If I can ever do as much, for you as you haw done for me, you will have only to command me." Yernol's eyes took on a stringe li<j,h( for a moment. He stared stiaiidit a< Nick, rubbing his short, crisp hair with bis palm and muttering oddly: "We shall see. We shall sec." "Ah, but I assure you " "Oh, it's not for myself. It's about a friend of mine. I have been thinking of telling you about him, and have demurred only to see if he will return, or send me any word of explanation, or——" "You are speaking of Doctor Cardiff." said Nick. "Xb 1 -" Vernol started slightly. "You know, then;-' How did you km wr" "Because, IVIr Vernol, on th^ day of his disappearance, Doctor Caidiff not only confided to me certain dangers with which he was threatened, together with various suspicions he enteitained, appealing to me in a business way; but he also told me of your recent arrival in New York, of your long friendship, and the fact that he hud made you. too, hi*, confidant." "He did that, eh?" "Yes. So you are not quite the stranger to me that you may have imagined." "True — I am glad of this," Vernol cried, nodding rapidly and wringing his lon» hands. "I shall know what to do, then, Jind you will help me, if be does not return soon, if I <ret no word, ii ue cannot learn where he i.s, or why he " Vernol stopped short, and Nick turned quickly toward the door. Itapid footsteps were sounding on the bare floor of the adjoining hall, and in a moment Patsy dashed' unceremoniously into tho room. "Gee!" he cried breathlessly. "I'm here before you left."

"What's wrong!-" asked Nick impetxiously. "Telephone from Kelly, the janitor," 'gawped Patsy. "Came soon after you left. You're wanted up at tho college. They've found him!"

"Found him!" shouted Nick, springing to hils feet. "Not Doctor Cardiff:'" "Ye*, sure! Btoju> t\i*ac\ ! K» tiffed into r furnace. aii>box in the <«oj|egu bavineut !''