| | | [P.  O. Box 2783.] | | | +-----------------------------------------------------------
---+ | | | Henry L. Stephens, | | | | Artist, | | | | No. 160 Fulton street, | | | | new York. | | | +-----------------------------------------------------------
---+ | | | GEO. B. BOWLEND, | | | | Draughtsman & Designer | | | | No. 160 Fulton Street, | | | | Room No. 11, New York. | | | +-----------------------------------------------------------
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THE MYSTERY OF MR. E. DROOD.

An adaptation.

BY ORPHEUS C. KERR

CHAPTER XVIII

A subtle stranger.

The latest transient guest at the Roach House—­a hotel kept on the entomological plan in Bumsteadville—­was a gentleman of such lurid aspect as made every beholder burn to know whom he could possibly be.  His enormous head of curled red hair not only presented a central parting on top and a very much one-sided parting and puffing-out behind, but actually covered both his ears; while his ruddy semi-circle of beard curled inward, instead of out, and greatly surprised, if it did not positively alarm, the looker-on, by appearing to remain perfectly motionless, no matter how actively the stranger moved his jaws.  This ball of improbable inflammatory hair and totally independent face rested in a basin of shirt collar; which, in its turn, was supported by a rusty black necktie and a very loose suit of gritty alpaca; so that, taking the gentleman for all in all, such an incredible human being had rarely been seen outside of literary circles.