The Huttig news., 1907-06-15
lT- '!JFD FROM LAST WEE !
CHAPTER w. Little Bobbs.

Little Bobes.
 I followed him as rapidly as possi. ble, hoping to overtake him and, at office until his excitement had cooled somewhat, but 1 reached the street only in time to see him turn the cor ner and mingle with the bust1ing crowd
 At the same instant little man, not over five feet in height, and dressed in coarse drab, Norfolk jacket and tightly fitting trousers turned in hur- riedly from the opposite direction and collided with me with some violence.
 Beg pardon, sir" he panted recov- ering himself with an effort and pull ing off his cap respectfully. Beg pardon, sir. I'm looking for MT. Wares offices, sir. MT. Frederick Ware, sir. Is this the place, sir?" and he placed his hand on his chest and gasped noisily in his endeavor to catch his breath.
 MT Wares office is upstairs" l re- piled, and l am MT. Ware. Who are you?"
 Thank ye, sir" he said gratefully, an expression of relief lighting up his face. Pm Bobbs, sir. Little Bobbs. they calls me, sir.'' Still holding his cap in his hand he pulled his forelock and bowed with the grace of an east side dancing master.
 Very well, Bobbs," I said con- pletely puzzled Now what do you want ?"
 Why l want MT. Carney, of course, sir" he replied. 'fI'm his man, you know sir, and he told me to meet him here in half an hour
 50 you are Mr. Carneys servant, eh?" I queried.
 He nodded respectfully and touched his forelock again.
 Well" l continued, MT Carney has gone and you won't be able to overtake him, so there is no use in your trying. Moreover, 1 want to see you myself in the office for a few minutes"
 He followed me upstairs and sat down gingerly on the edge of chair, .s.Iz.-h.- ~4qsh hisu hapaa @and tWiddlingShis thumbs nervou4ly. l watched him for a moment in silence and then, an idea striking me, l un- locked the small cupboard in my desk, took out a bottle and a glass and, plac- ing them before him, said solicitously: You are completely exhausted, Bobbs; i; better take little of this"
 His face was perfectly frank and honest as he said, politely, Thank ye kindly, sir, but 1 never touch it. I'll be all right in minute, sir"
 1 returned the bottle and glass to their places, fully satisfied with the re. suit of my little experiment and con. vinced that the fellow had spoken the truth and could be relied upon in every way.
 How long have you been in MT. Carney's employ ?' asked, as turned the key in the lock.
 Three years, come next autumn, p he replied promptly.
 And did you never drink anything in your life, Bobbs?" 1 continued for l was working out definite line of questions.
 Well sir he rejoined, rather un' comfortably 1 thought, T cant say as I've always been teetotal, sir, an used to take drop now and then and again, sir. But since MT Carney got this way, sir, l gave it up entirely. II wouldn't do for me to be drinkin' now you know, sir"
 No, it wouldn't 1 said emphatical ly. You are quite right, Bobbs, and you are a faithful fellow to give it ul as you have"
 Thank ye, sir" said Bobbs.
 How long has MT. Carney been in this condition ?" 1 asked
 Bobbs looked at me in an unde cided fashion for a moment and then blurted out, Why. l don't know, sir as 1 ought to be talkin' of his affairs so much, sir. It don't seem to me as it's quite right, sir"
 I appreciated the fellows devotion and loyalty to his masters interests and hastened to reassure him.
 Its all right, Bobbs," l said "You may talk to me perfectly freely for understand everything. You know MT. Carney him self was here for some time this morSing."
 Bobbs looked relieved and proceed ed without further difidence.
 Way, I should say, sir, it's goin' on about two years now. Te know, he had some trouble or other on his mind when he went away, sir, an it seemed to prey on him more an more all the time. After while he began gettin in with those people which I Suppose