Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/17

Rh "And where may he have been the first time you heard from him?"

"In Nashville, Tennessee," said Eastover. "After that Tahupapa, New Zealand; after that Papeete, in the Society Islands; then Pekin, China. And you?"

"First time Brussels, second Monte Video, third Mandalay, and then the Gold Coast, Africa. It's your turn, Mr. Baxter."

The clergyman glanced at the timepiece. It was exactly eight o'clock.

"First time Cabul, Afghanistan; second, Nijni Novgorod, Russia; third Wilcannia, Darling River, Australia; fourth Valparaiso, Chili; fifth Nagasaki, Japan."

"He is evidently a great traveller and a most mysterious person."

"He is more than that, he is late for dinner!" said Eastover.

Prendergast looked at his watch.

"That clock is two minutes fast. Hark, there goes Big Ben! Eight exactly."

As he spoke the door was thrown open and a voice announced:

"Dr.Nikola."

The three men sprang to their feet simultaneously with exclamations of astonishment as the man they had been discussing made his appearance.

It would take more time than I can spare the subject to give you an adequate and inclusive description of the man who entered the room at that moment. In stature he was slightly above the middle height, his shoulders were broad, his limbs perfectly shaped and plainly muscular, but very slim. His head, which was magnificently set upon his shoulders, was adorned with