The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-05-10

back. Nothing special doing here. but
something inHy come up, Address me
n, the Grand hotel MA further no
tlcc. Thus snoke Col, Jack Cheney
TO his friend and associate. Sidney
Guthrie. one bright. YARN morning Ia
June.
What Ia IT. colonel? y business
trip OF just II desire To have Il look AT
old Broadway"
Both. sad. both. Chicago is a little
dead now. I've put IN n pretty hard
winter and spring. and now i think
course IN look In the Office several
times while I'm there"
An right. Jack. Wen try TO get
along without you for "A while. Have
n good time and come back when
you're rested"
jeff. the ebony-hued faithful servttor,
was told to get the colonei's bag ready.
Sometimes when away on trips Colonel
Cheney took Jeff along as his personal
attendant. jeff hoped he would do so
this time. but the colonel said:
No. JEFF. no this trip. Next time
maybe. I'm just going to loaf for
awhile in New York and vicinity. and
I want to get away from every one"
"Ah'm drefful sorry to see you go,
kunnel. but Ahll try an survive"
"Oh, l guess you'll get along all right.
Mr.. Guthrie will probably keep you
busy"
'Dat's Jess it, kunnel. Mistah Guth-
rie do keep me pow'ful busy; mon you
We'll. jeff. I've noticed you're get
ting n trit1e fat and a little extra work
won't hurt you. Get out, you ras-
CALI
"Yas. sab. Huh. huh" chuckled Jeff,
MS he went out. Jeff once said He al
ways noticed Kunnel Cheney only abuse
dose he lnvaI NVfpn ha wv c r,pyrtf,,l
perlite ter anyone hit meant dar was
gwine to be se'yus truble."
The Lake Shore limited that evening
carried Cheney eastward. and he gave
himself up to complete relaxation. He
was tired. brain tagged. and wanted a
little surcease. He buried himself in a
light novel and just laid off. AT 6
o'clock the next night he landed in New
York. AT the Grand hotel he met sew
eral chance a-cquaintances. After sup
per he wandered up to the Casino.
Some light fantastic musical comedy
was playing there. and Cheney really
enjoyed 1T. Between the acts he strolled
out into the foyer and was enjoying a
quiet smoke when he heard a voice
say:
"Ry Jove, it can't be. Moves it is.
Hello. Colonel Cheney. how are you?"
The colonel turned. and there stood
Darius p. King, president of one of the
6teil llIe INSURANCE companies. NIleIeN
knew him we'll, had done a great deal
of delicate and intricate work for his
company. and Mr.. King had a profound
liking for Cheney as a detective and as
a soldier, but above all as a man. They
saw each other frequently when either
came to Chicago or New York, and as
Mr.. King was a wealthy. unencumbered
widower, Cheney was more than glad to
see him. A cordial handshake and he
said:
why I am glad to see you. King
more than glad"
/, What brings o east this time?"
Nothing. King. absolutely nothing"
first time I've known you to be doing
nothing"
well, you see, I got a little tired out,
wanted to get away. n here L am for
a few days rest"
New York's a good place to rest"
The commencement of the second act
Interrupted the conversation, but after
the theater the two men went to q res
taurant. had a quiet little supper and a
heart to heart talk 1t was 1880 when
they parted. and Cheney was to lunch
with King the next day. Come down
stay as late as you like. My office is
a good place to loaf"
1--WE never seen any loafing there
laughed Cheney, remembering that
King was called the stilletto,' on ac-
count of his incisive n and ac-
tions. Good night, old man.
Coco night. colonel"
Abou noon the next day Cheney
strolled into the stately marble pile on
lower Broadway known as the home
Office of Kings life insurance
1t was like getting up to royalty to
reach the head of one of these great
financial institutions, but Colonel
Cheney's card was an open sesame,
and i'm a few minutes he was comfort
ably fixed in Kings palatial office. Mr..
King was seated behind his desk on
which We're papers checks and what
not. All about was a seeming confus-
ion, but the president knew every pa
per. every item.
Anything new, King?' asked Che
ney, lighting q fragrant cigar.
mo" answered King, holding a pack
age of papers and a check in his hand.
He looked ~intently at the papers. stu
died a minute. and then raising his
eyes, he said:
Cheney. here's a peculiar case. I've
heard you speak of 'hunches.' l remem-
Der your man Guthrie has had several
successful ones. I've got one right now,
have had it ever since these papers
came to me for approval yesterday
morning, and like Banquo's ghost, it
will not down.
Whats the case, King?" asked
Cheney, beginning to take notice. In
tuitively his mind scented mystery.
It's a death claim for 100000 That
In itself is not unusual, and the papers
are regularly made out. The policy had
only been in force thirty days when the
insured died. That. too. is not unusuai;
but the claim comes up from Mexico,
and everything from Mexico reeks of
fraud"
Where does the hunch come IMP
1.-The 'hunch' says it's fraud. But
Ihe papers have been passed on by the
rarious regular departments and ON
lnittees, and sent me for approval. l
I,uess I'll have to sign them up and
get them out of the way MIR. King
dipped his pen into the ink and was
about to sign his name. when Cheney
quietly said:
"Wait-don't sign"
"Why not?"
well, I'm away on a vacation, and
this trip to Mexico looks good to me.
You give me the papers and draft for
800, 600, also give me authority to act
in the case. I'll go to Mexico and if
I find everything is o. K. I'll pay the
claim; if not, why I'll run down the
lculprit for you.'