"What do you know of him ?" "I have always understood," Mr.Helmsley said slowly, "that he was a gentleman from South America who had large coffee plantations, and who came over every year to sell his produce.

He has stayed at the hotel about this time for the last four years.

He has always engaged a good suite of rooms, has paid his accounts promptly,--I really do not know anything more about him." "Has his niece accompanied him always ?" I asked.
"Never before," Mr.Helmsley answered,--"at least, not to my recollection." "You do not know what part of South America he comes from ?" I asked.
"I have no idea," Mr.Helmsley declared.

"His letters are always forwarded to an agent." "So practically you can tell me nothing," I said, rising.
"Nothing at all, I fear," Mr.Helmsley answered.

"I shall make it a point of calling upon the young lady within an hour or so, to inquire again about her uncle." "The young lady has gone out," I remarked.