The Mission of Poubalov — page 121: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A NEW DEPARTURE. 117 “Do you think so?’’ asked Clara, and in spite of her effort her tone was cold. - J don’t know what to think,’ replied the landlady, plaintively. ~ **You may think what you please,”’ said Clara, her pride mastering her diplomacy for the moment; ‘‘I am going to New York to see your daughter. I called to say that you might write to her freely so far as any wish of mine is concerned, and to ask if I could take a look at Mr. Stro- bel’s room.’’ ‘“‘Certainly,’’ answered Mrs. White, uncomfortably. She longed to ask the imperious young lady a host of ques- tions, but she was restrained by Clara’s hauteur. The young ladies went up to Ivan’s room, and found there his trunk as he had left it, apparently, and every- thing in just such condition as would be expected if a man were about to move and were going to send for his effects later. When they went down again they found Litizki talking with Mrs. White. ‘So you are going to New York to-day?”’’ he said with some appearance of disappointment. ‘*Yes,’’ replied Clara, ‘‘but I don’t care to have that in- formation go further. Will you be careful, Mrs. White?’’ Forgive me if I seemed harsh just now. I shall say nothing unkind to your daughter, and I believe less than ever that she eloped with Mr. Strobel. What have you found?’’ she asked, turning to Litizki. ‘Billings doesn’t live at that address,’’ he replied, ‘although he used to. He hasn’t been about there for some time, and no one in the neighborhood knew he was a cab-driver.”’ **Very well,’’ said Clara. ‘‘There is nothing more to do in that direction for the present. I shall return from New York on Saturday morning, probably. I should like to see you then, if possible.”’ “Yes, Miss Hilman. What train are you to take? I might NaHICELNOOLKS5EO@ have something to report to you at the last minute.