Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-25
upon the subject, we will at once
communicate with YOU

upon the subject, we will at once
communicate with YOU
II should be glad if you will do
so," / replied. 81 should like to get
this matter cleared up as soon as
possible. There may be something
behind it that we do not UNDER
stand"
| thanked him for the interview,
and then took my departure, more
puzzled by it than had been by any
thing for a long time. When
reached my office 1 took the card
from a drawer, which Mr.. Edward
Bayley had sent to me, and dis.
patched it by special messenger to
the Office of the famous mining COM
pany. That afternoon another sur
prise was in store for me. Shortly
after lunch, and when ] was in the
middle of a letter to Kitwater, q
message was received through the
telephone to the effect that the man
ing company, whom / had seen that
morning, was on his way to call upon
me.
Something has evidently come to
light" | reflected. Perhaps the
mystery surrounding Mr.. Edward
Bayley is about to be cleared up, for
1 must confess l do not like the look
of it,"
A quarter of an hour later the
manager was ushered into my pres
cnce.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Fairfax" he
said. II have come to ask you, it
you will permit me, few questions,
and also to tell you that l think we
have discovered who it is that is mas
querading as the occupant of my
position. You gave me this morning
rough description of the individual
who called upon you. Can you recall
anything particular about his APP
pearance? Any strange mark, for in
stance. Anything by which We
should be able to swear to his iden-
tity?"
Il would swear to his identity any
where, without a mark" l replied.
But since you do mention it, 1 re-
member that he had a small tri-
angular scar upon his left cheek
Then it is the same man after ALL"
said the manager. THAT is certain
| " extraordinary. When our secre-
tary spoke to me about him after
you had left 1 had my doubts; now,
however, they are quite removed.
Why he should have called upon you
in such guise is a question | cam
not for the life of me answer with
any sort of satisfaction"
Perhaps you will be a little more
explicit" l said. "You have not told
me yet how it is that you have been
able to locate the gentleman in ques-
ton. This morning you must re-
member you had no sort of remem-
brance of him"
In that case you must forgive me-
he replied. LAS matter of fact I
was so much carried away by my en-
element that | could think of moth
ing else. However, / have promised
you the story, and you shall have it.
Some years ago, eight or ten per-
haps, we had young man working
for US in the Argentine as an over
seer. He was in many respects a
brilliant young fellow, and would
doubtless have done well for himself
in time, had he been able to GO
straight. Unfortunately, however,
he did not do so. He went from bad
to worse. AT last he was caught in
fragrant piece of dishonesty, and
was Immediately discharged. When
tell you that that young man had
mark such as you described upon
his cheek, you may be able to derive
some idea of what follows
Might it not be pure coinci
dence?" l replied.
''Not in this case, l fancy" he an
swered. ''What makes me the more
, inclined to believe that it is the same
individual, is the fact that our sec
rotary met him in Leadenhall street
only few days ago. He looked old
er. but had evidently prospered il
: the world. AS a matter of fact
Warner described him as being ir
reproachably dressed and turned
l out. i trust his good fortune wa:
honestly come by: but l must own
from what know of him, that
have my doubts
I, 'But what possible reason coult
this individual have for calling upol
me, and why should he have mad
!. me such an offer as / have describes
l to you?"
The director shook his head. TIL
r question was evidently beyond him.
l Ito be ContinuedO