Nick excused himself to the doctor, with the plea that he must go to the hotel and get ready for his departure. He promised to meet Abbott at the depot.
At half-past three o’clock a train arrived from New York.
Among the passengers who left the train at Elmwood was a rather handsome, smoothed-faced young man, an entire stranger to the loungers about the station, who were already collecting to pay a last tribute of respect to the remains of their dead townsman, as he would be borne away forever by the four o’clock train.
The stranger inquired the way to the nearest hotel and set out to walk there, after getting his directions.
With his traveling bag in hand he entered the hotel just as Nick came into the office with his valise, and went to the desk to settle his bill.
The comfort of the parting guest is always made subservient to the welcome which awaits the fresh arrival at country hotels.
So Nick waited while the landlord received his new patron.
The detective noticed a look of surprise on the landlord’s face, as he turned the register around and examined it, after the stranger had written his name.
The good man’s voice had a slight tremble when he asked:
“Just come in on the half-past three train?”