"The Other John Smith,”

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14100, 19 April 1920, Page 7

"The Other John Smith,”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ABBANGEMENT.

(By LEWIS EAMSDEN). Author of ‘ * Prisoners of the Council,” -My Lady of the Car,” -The Golden Casket,” “The Word of a Somerl eigh,” etc., etc.

(COPYEIGHT.)

CHAPTEII ATX.—Continued. “I am glad to have the approval of inv oldest and mots valued* friend,” 1 said. ,‘lt would be premature to speak of an actual engagement yet, however. You know the terms which Gaston, the Other John Smith, offered ? .Justine still feels herself bound bv them, if Elbintn cannot be saved in any oilier way. ’ ’ ‘‘You have now an added inducement to forestall him,” said Yano. “Yes; and I have added confidence in my success, though 1 could give you small reason in justification of that; confidence. ’' “J too, believe in your success.” “Thanks. I suppose you think 1. ve been precipitate in my love-making 1”

“ You arc only bearing out the traditions of your race," he answered with a smile. “Your grandfather, for instance, met the lady of his. choice, on her first appearance at a court ball; the next morning lie was betrothed to her, and ho never repented his haste, i will tell Philomene the news when I reach home. ’' “Jt was really for this purpose .1 had confided®in him so quickly, and with regret and compassion I saw the slight shade which now passed over his fine face, lie must have caught ray look, for he said quickly: “You have guessed, Mr John;?” “Last night I had a thought—l hoped it might be fancy.” He shook his grey head sadly. “Perhaps, after all, it is only a young girl's passing fancy, born of her romantic idea. Indeed, I cannot understand why it should be more,” I said. “f hope it may be so; but Philonieiie is a true \ ano, and none of us ever loved lightly. Still, she also has couraare —and pride. 'These will conic to her aid, and you must not let her suspect that I have told you. “Certainly not. I am desperately sorry, Yano, and cannot help feeling that I must have been somehow unknowingly to blame.”

taken a smoky lamp from a stand in the narrow hall, and was leading the way upstairs. “Want any supper? I. shall have to get something if you do.” “No, thank you,” I replied with a slight shudder as I looked round the room. By the light of the additional lamp the girl was staring at me curiously. “You do change a bit, I must say,” she remarked. “Why, I thought you seemed all nervy like when you came this morning, and do you know what I thought when I saw you go out in a different coat, with your face all muffled up?” “Couldn’t say, I am sure, Augusta.” -Why, I thought you might be dodging the Tecs. Not that it's any business of mine,” she added quickly. “Anyone might get into a bit of trouble, and if you want to keep out of the way you're as safe here as anywhere.”

“It will lie best for you tb see as little as possible of her for the present. ’ ’ I agreed that this was so, and we changed the subject of conversation. I. related in detail what had happened since I left him and Philomene the pro l vious night. “Let me give you a word of advice, Mr John, though I daresay it will be wasted,” said Yano. “When you next see a- lady at the top of a burning hotel call the firemen and leave the job of rescuing her to them. You ought to find sufficient scope for your energies in the task you have in hand. You are not likely to help it by stopping aside for such adventures.” “Who knows?” I said smilingly, and litle guessing how I was going to find there was truth in the doubt. “So you are trusting to get at close quarters with the Other John Smith this evening” continued Yano. “Well, you have a considerable score of your own to settle with him if lie refuses to come to terms. He is a slippery customer, and you must take care he docs not pass through your fingers.”

“If'he does I shall follow him up, so you will know what I am doing if you do not hear from me during the next few days.” When 1. had left Vano’s and returned to ray hotel 1 was somewhat amused and not surprised to find that the two men who had kept- watch on my actions had now ceased to follow me. They were not present at the table d’hote dinner, but I had no doubt that, amongst the newcomers who sat down, there were other spies to take the place of those who had been called off, and a chat with the friendly porter confirmed my belief. It was necessary that 1 should elude these men, so after dinner I went out for a short walk, and by keeping my eyes open soon saw that my movements were being skilfully shadowed. Having made sure of this I turned back, and by stepping out briskly managed to enter the hotel a litle ahead of the two men. Merely shopping to instruct the porter to say, if questioned, that 1 had retired, I again walked out by the side entrance, and, hailing a taxi, when I had got a litle distance from the hotel, drove to the entrance of Boston Square, to which the detectives had followed the Other John Smith.

The place was one of those dull squares of monotonous, straight-fronted houses, all shabby, and all giving the pathetic suggestion of having seen better days. In daylight there was probably some partial and temporary redemption of sordidness by the spring foliage which had struggled into existence in the railed central patch of

green.. , The private “hotel,” which was the address given me, was, i£ anything, rather shabbier in appearance even than the rest of the houses, and after some delay an unkempt maid answered my ringing, and my knocking at a locked inner door. She looked at me aggressively and suspiciously with short-sight-ed eyes. “I am Mr John Smith,” I announced, as she held the door open without speaking. “I can see that, sir,” she snapped. “j ain’t blind, if 1 am a bit shortsighted. You bn back an hour earlier than you said, though.” The" reply was full of unintended information. I was again being mistaken for the Other John Smith, who was not in the house, but who was expected to return. ‘•My mistake, Jane, I am I laughed. “Name ain’t Jane, it’s Orguster,” she snapped again. “I beg your pardon, Augusta, I am sure. ’ ’ “Well, come up. The best sittiugroom’s ready, though not the bedroom. I’ve been that flurried, and not expecting you back yet —*—” “It doesn’t matter in the least,” I murmured, as I followed, for she had

Well, I’m not dodging the Tecs, but I am here on rather particular business, and I was going to ask you if I could trust you to hold your tongue, if you would be willing, by simply saying nothing, to earn a sovereign. ” Xot half!” implied Augusta emphatically. -You’re kidding, though, of course,’’ she added, with the air of one who lias been taught not to expect too much. “Not at. all. Here is the coin. Yes; pick it up if you care, to earn it in the way I have said.” She took the piece of gold from the table, and looked at me still dubiously as she held it in her open palm. “ What is it I’ve got to do?” “Somebody will be coming, probably within an hour. When you open the door you may lie surprised, but you are not to say anything. Just let him come up here, and then go on with your work without taking any further notice.” Kighto! Hi King George and all the royal family was to come I would not so much as blink.” “If you keep to that spirit it. will answer admirably,” 1 laughed. Then I asked in a careless manner: “Has any luggage come for me?” “No; you said you hadn’t got any, didn’t you? That’s why the missis made you pay in advance. Y r ou only brought the overcoat you put on when you went out. The one you wore when you came is hanging there.” (To be continued.)