The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-10
THE NATIONAL THURSDAY JUNE 10 1897

this, but they all do. -.
"Has Mr.. Rukenbrod an office IN TINS
building?" =,
ing
"You kin see good many men coming
out o. here that don't have no offices In the
building"
The ianitor was becoming trife tart.
Kent saw the policy of q little propitIation.
"Great Sahara, how hot it isl" said he,
taking off his hat and wiping his forehead.
"And I've had such time to find this
place. Pm SO dry that I'm afraid my
throat'll catch fire from this cigar Where
do they keep the best and coolest peer
around hero? ?"
Fright over there" said the janitor, TAX
ing the straw from his mouth and pointing
with it across the street.
Come join me in glass It's about
your time OF day tohave one, isn't it ?"
The ianitor did not allow any false
modesty to interfere with his instant ac-
ceptance Of the invitation. Probably the
look on his face which had been taken tor
philosophy was really one Of yearning fol-,
such bid gtap -'s@
At the second glass Kent renewed his
question:
You say Mr.. Rukenbrod has no Office in
your building? Why, he must have. he
came out as if he belonged to the place, and
had lot of letters in his hand, which he
mailed at the box in front"
what sort of looking man was he?"
asked the jaEitor, in more obliging tone.
About 40; rather tall and strong; sandy
hair, mustach, and goatee; light brown suit;
white hatDo3 al6 st
80, that's Mr. Rane1sperg, a newcomer;
third floor Back, left side; No. g."
" RanelspergLso it is, n said Kent, quickly.
"Used to be partner of Mr.. Rnkenbr0d. l
never could keep their names separate. al
ways would call Rukenbrod Ranelsperg, and
Ranelsperg Rukenbrod. You've been trou-
bled the same way. NJ" .
yes; often. Used to be man in the
building called Budd, and l never could
think Of any other name for him than Bios
SON. There was another called Gallup, and
/ could not for the life Of mo help saying
Mr. Trot'p ps@
"Do you think that Mr.. Ranelsperg will
come hack sOon?" -
20, no; he's gone home for the day. You
won't see any OF 'em round them hot offices
any more this day. can tell you. You'd
be more likely to find him down by the
lake front or ont in the country. There's
where I'd 90 mighty quick, ii / could.
"Do you know where he lives? l might
90 out to his house."
"No; / don't. He's only been in the
building a week or two, and don't know
thing about him. His sign says Mines and
Real Estate.' That's everything l know
about him, except that he keeps tight
hand on his soap, and hasn't give me tip
since he's been here"
Kent became deeply anxious to see the in
side of that Office. It might contain impor-
tant revelations, and now was an unsur-
passed opportunity to Investigate it.
Jerusalem, but Pm awfully disappoint-
ed" he said, handing the janitor cigar.
" Pm terribly anxious to see him or get some
word to him. But must go away on the
o'clock train tonight. suppose I'll have
to write him letter, and have you lay 1t On
his desk, where he'll get it the first thing in
the morning. You'll do that for me, won't
you?"
Certainly. Only be too glad"
Where can write? There's no place
here. Have you any placs?"
"Naa. My correspondence amt exten-
sive. usually do what writing must in
one of the Offices. / might let you into one
D. tuciue f1ujy uVp ~ uO ~ LILO oAhSS =
can let you in, if you want to climb that
high.p
"aThe very thing" said Kent, carefully
concealing his exultation. 81 don't mind
the climb He knows me, and it'll be all
right Let's have another, before we CO."
Kents heart beat so with high anticipation
as he climbed the long stairs that he did not
notice their hight, though his companion
puffed good deal on the last fight.
There" said the janitor, ushering him
into the office; sit down at lis desk and
write as long as you please. guess you'll
find pens and paper.
8" Pm afraid that long climb has made you
dry again, said Kent, handing him half
dollar. - Go over and get something 10 cool
you off. III join you there in few
minutes"
As the door closed Kent looked eagerly
around the room. The furniture in it was
new and not over-abundant. There was a
desk, which he at once discovered had good,
strong lock on it, few chairs, table upon
which lay some mining prospectuses, and
several gaudily -colored mining and real
estate plats hnng on the walls. Everything
seemed very new and recent, surprisingly so
for man OF Rukenbrod's aye and assumed
business experience. The furniture still
smelled of varns,, the plats were as fresh
looking as if just unYolled, and there were
none OF the accumulations and the marks OF
age and Csc which even the most carefully
kept Offices will have.
All this was eloquent to Kent of some
other sham aud swindle in which the cccu-
pant was engaged, and he felt confirmed in
this view when he looked around for the plat
of the Peoples Cooperative R-al Estate
Associations" and could find no trace of it, Or
any indication of Rukenbrod's connection
with that enterprise. His dupes in that knew
rs little of this Office as they did of the name
upder which their President Treasurer was
holding this place.
He tried the desk again unsuccessfully
| and looked over his own keys to see if one
would fit il.
The waste-basket attracted his attention
It had evidently been busy day with Mr..
Rukenbrod- -Ranelsperg, and he had been
clearing up his desk and tossing the frag-
| ments into the basket for the cleaner to take
away aud burn.
Kent began picking over the contents
He came across a number of envelopes ad-
dressed to Nv. X. Ranelsperg," and placed
| them in his pocket for further examination.
He picke out fragments of letters. and laid
them out on the table 10 assemble" those
that belonged together. Then he came across
| some envelopes addressed to Washington
| K. Radburn, stock broker" which was
another revelation. Next came some super
1 G. " Doll