The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-06-29
CHAPTER l.

sF y 3
Reginald Truscott and Hamilton
4 Billery had passed their boyhood to-
xether in 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 q newspaper and
brought himself to the verge OF ruin
In a single tvelysmnnth 1t had been
his ambition to rssarm the world, and
the world was not eager to be reform
Cd. Truscott bought him out for an
old song, and went to work with the
single ida Of making the venture pay.
In seven years time he was beginning
to be power in the land and was re-
puted wealthy. Billery served his
Quondam schoolmate in humble ways,
and made humble income. He was
q shiftless. inconsequent dreamer of
foolish dreams, and was always brim-
ful 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 af
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
dons Of his pretty riverside villa.
When he was at business he threw ev-
cry energy OF his mind into the task
before him, but 1t was his boast that
he could loaf as well as any man alive.
The strain OF the last six days had
heen 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
bsain and body. He was between
asleop and awake-just conscious OF
His own beatitude-when q 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
at him. Billery was evidently very
much excited. He had walked fast
I ana his forehead was beaded with per-
0piration. His eyes gOggled and
Steamed, and his fat, clean-shaven
cheeks were pale
Reggie" he said, i've struck the
biggest thing that has been heard Of
this twenty years"
Truscott was unmoved by this an
nouncement. Billery struck the big
oost thing that had been heard OF this
twenty years about twice month as a
1n1r average. His editor contented
kfmself With an interrogatory "'M?"
and rollsd over 70 listen.
There's ndlmistake this time" said
Dt1lory. hut Billery always said there
Mas no mistake this time. and his
ohios Va used to him. "You remem-
her tho Brangwyn case seven years
aeol"
r ought 70 remember It." Truscott
answered. idly.
ny love, you ought" cried Bfllery.
That case made the Record Whilst
I owned the wretched rag It cost me
ahout : thousand pounds 9 week. It
Was - sooner transferred to you than
~ springs the Brangwyn mystery.
nnd you were made man In q
nDonfh. |"
n nm the thing Tor what 1t was
werth. said Truscott. What about it
Roggy.s y .said Dillery. 'I'm bringing
- tho biogest journalistic scoop
ypusvo ever had. I've found old Alloy
olus 1raneWyn's body. and I'm the
6iIly naan Who has 'identifed him. l
ko1k ~ Own counsel. and came OF
stxnleht % yon Wish you'd take me
] 1n and slve me I drink, old man"
sOCno indoors said Truscott, ris-
lnG ana stepping alertly to the turf.
~ ~ ~ way along the lawn and
thrDpeh ~ French windows Of =
shaded breakfast room. There, with
motion of his hand. he indicated =
Shulget It The wall. Help yourself.
1he tantalus isn't locked. There's
soda water Ii the gasogene. Take :
elGar and come into my study