The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-06-29
CHAPTER I.

0lllefy mad passed their D0yn0Od 10
gether in q Warwickshire village
Truscott's father was the parson, and
Billery's the squire. They attended
the same local grammar school, and
passed through Rugby and Oxford to-
gether. Then they both came up to
London and plunged into journalism
Billery purchased a newspaper and
brought himself to the verge of ruin
In single twelvemonth. It had been
his ambition to reform the world, and
the world was not eager to be reform
ed. Truscott bought him out for an
old song and went to work with the
single idea of making the venture pay.
In seven years time he was beginning
to be q power in the land and was re-
puted wealthy. Billery served his
quondam schoolmate in humble ways,
and made a humble income. He was
q shiftless, inconsequent dreamer of
foolish dreams, and was always brim-
full of suggestions which would have
ruined any newspaper enterprise in a
week. Truscott, for old sake's sake,
would listen to him when he could
spare the time, and performed for him
many little acts of kindness.
On certain summer Saturday az
ternoon the editor and proprietor of
the Daily Record" was enjoying his
weekly holiday in a punt which was
moored in the shade at the foot of the
lawn which ran down from the gar
dens Of his pretty riverside villa.
When he was at business he threw ev-
cry energy of his mind into the task
before him, but it was his boast that
he could loaf as we'll as any man alive.
The strain Of the last six days had
been prodigious, and he was stretched
out now on comfortably arranged
cushions, with his straw hat tilted for
ward over his eyes and choice cigar
between his lips, luxuriously relaxing
brain and body. He was between
asleep and awake-just conscious OF
his own beatitude-when familiar
voice broke in upon his hazy fancies,
and there was Billery, seated on the
edge Of the lawn with his feet dan
Cling over the pebbled margin of the
stream. Truscott tilted his hat to the
back of his head and looked lazily up
ut him. Billery was evidently very
much excited. He had walked fast
and his forehead was beaded with per.
SEPARATION. His eyes goggled and
cleaned, and his fat, clean-shaven
cheeks were pale.
Reggie" he said, Give struck the
biggest thing that has been heard of
this twenty years"
Truscott was unmoved by this an
nouncement. Billery struck the big
gest thing that had been heard of this
twenty years about twice month as a
fair average. His editor contented
himself with an interrogatory "'M?"
and rolled over to listen.
There's no mistake this time" said
Billery. But Billery always said there
was no mistake this time, and his
chief was used to him. "You remem-
Der the Brangwyn case seven years
lgo?"
81 ought to remember it," Truscott
answered, idly.
"By Jove, you ought" cried Billery.
"That case made the Record Whilst
! owned the wretched rag it cost me
about a thousand pounds week. 1t
was no sooner transferred to you than
up springs the Brangwyn mystery.
and you were made man in a
month"
Il ran the thing for what it was
WORTH" said Truscott. What about 1t
now?"
'Reggy," said Billery, I'm bringing
you the biggest journalistic scoop
you've ever had. I've found old Alloy.
sius Brangwyn's body, and I'm the
only man who has identified him.
kept my own counsel, and came Cd
straight to you. wish you'd take me
tn and give me drink, old man."
Come indoors" said Truscott, ris
ing and stepping alertly to the turf
He led the way along the lawn and
through the French windows of 9
shaded breakfast room. There, with
. motion Of his hand, he indicated 9
buffet at the wall. Help yourself
The tantalus isn't locked. There's
soda water in the gasogene. Take 8
cigar and come into my study"
Billery took his whisky and soda al
Q gulp, mopped his beaded forehead
\ with dubious handkerchief and obey
Cd his hosts command. Truscott walk
ed into his study, pointed to chair
closed the; door and sat down to listen
If begin by telling you what 70,
know already" Billery began, "it',
1 only to show you what consecutiv,
yarn 1t makes. Here's old Aloysiu,
! Brangwyn, sinfully rich, lonely, &c
centric. aged eighty-hye, as q. vel
B known % any man IN London. Hi
solitary man servant bids him good
bys 1t noon one day ana goes sway {,
zee q relative Al the country. He Il
8 turns on the evening 81 the followin,
Il day. The old mar, has 1dfsanneared