Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-06

bear in mind the fact that my time is
valuable, and that it is only certain
class of cases that care to take up per-
sonally."
1--WE are not afraid of our case" the
man replied. 81 doubt if there has ever
been another like it. Ifancy you your
self will say so when you hear the evil
dence | have to offer. i is not as if
we were destitute. Weare prepared to
pay you well for your services. but we
must have the very best that England
can supply"
My readers must remember that
this conversation was being carried on
ut the corner of Ludgate Hill and the
Old Bailey. Curious glances were be-
ing thrown 1T my companions by pass
ers-5y, and so vehement were the tall
mans utterances becoming that
small crowd was gradually collecting
in our neighborhood
Every WELL" I said, of you are
really DESTROYS of consulting me- l shall
be very GLAD to see You at my office at
ten o'clock tomorrow morning. 1
must ask you, however, not to be late,
as have several other appointments"
eve shall not be late" the man an
swered, you may rely upon that. We
have too much at stake to run any
risks of losing your assistance. We
will be with you tomorrow at ten
| O'Clock punctually."
He thereupon babe me good-by, and,
raising his hat politely, was led along
the street by his companion in an OPP
posite direction to that 1 was TAX
ing. They seemed delighted that 1 had
given them an appointment, but for
my part am afraid l was too absorbed
by the memories of the day, and the
punishment that had been allotted TO
the two principal members in the
swindle, to think very much of them
and their business. Indeed, although
l made note of the appointment, it
| was not until / had arrived at the of
flee on the following morning that I
recollected their promised visit. l had
| just finished my correspondence, and
| had directed few letters to my man
aging clerk, when a junior entered
with two cards, which he placed be-
fore me. The first took up bore the
name of Septimus Codd, that of the
second, Mr.. George Kitwater. When
I had finished the letter 1 was in the
act of debating, bade the clerk ad-
NIT them, and a moment later the
blind man and his companion whom [
had seen on Ludgate Hill the previous
evening were ushered into my pres
ence. cannot remember more ven
cradle appearance than that present.
ed by the taller man. His was person.
atty that would have appealed fore
| IDLY to any student of humanity. It
was decidedly an open countenance,
to which the long white beard that de-
scended almost to his waist gave an
added reverence. His head was well
shaped and well set upon his Shout
ders, his height was six feet two if
an inch, and he carried himself with
the erectness of man ccustomed to
an outdoor life. He was well dressed,
and for that reason surmised that he
was the possessor of good manners.
His companion was Is much below the
middle height as he was. above it. His
was peculiar countenance resembling
that of a boy when seen at distance,
and that of an old man when one was
close to him. His eyes, as have al
ready said, were small, and they were
set deep in his head. This, in itself,
was calculated to add to his peculiar
appearance. He steered his blind COM
panion into the room and placed him
in seat. Then he perched himself on
a chair beside him and waited for me
to open the debate.
Good morning, gentlemen" I said.
"Allow me to congratulate you on
your punctuality."
''We were afraid of missing you,"
observed Kitwater. "Our business is
SO particular that we did not want to
run any risk of losing our appoint
ment."
Perhaps you will now be good
enough to tell me what that business
is?" replied, taking my note book out
OF drawer, preparatory to writing
down what they had to say.
I'm the first place, sir" the man be-
gan, eve of course understand that
| wei sAiAS VIC nave 10 lcll you Will
be regarded by you as strictly private
and CONFIDENTIAL"
"That goes without saying" 1 re-
| piled. "If I were to divulge what my
clients tell me, my business would not
be worth days purchase. You can
rest assured that everything you may
imnart "a me will be treated in strict
est confidence.
"We thank you,' said Kitwa
"The story I have to tell you is Pc.
haps the strangest that has ever been
told to mortal man. To begin with,
you must understand that my com
panion and myself have but lately ar
rived in England. We have been for
many years missionaries in China, SOW
ing the good seed in the western prov
inces. l do not know whether YOU
have ever visited that country, but,
even if you have not, you must be aware
to some extent of the dangers to which
our calling is subjected. We carry our
| lives in our hands from the moment wa