The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-04-19

JOveQ 10 see tnelr cnlef again. Seated
in Cheney's old Office the three men
had long visit.
Now. boys, told you when l went
to Washington my active work in
this company was at an end You fell
lows can run it and I'll just hang
around
I've got a mental photograph of
you hanging around smiled l4oner
gan. You never were much of a
hanger Jack"
That's true Ed but I'm going to
play while now. l think I'll go
abroad"
Abroad? Lord. Jack, it hasn't been
year since you returned from around
the world" said Guthrie. What do
you want to go again for?"
We'll, it's different now. That trip
l was on government business and ex-
pecting to be picked up as spy
every minute. | did not see much of
Europe. This time I'm going for
pleasure"
Expect to go to Russia?" asked
Louergan with a laugh
No, that's not on my list, although
my friend Yarmoleff was insistent in
his invitation for me to come again."
Sure thing calculated Guthrie.
And old Trepoff would insist on your
staying"
THAT'S true, but won't go Tor
week or SO. See you fellows at din
ner tonight"
Sid" said Lonergan, when they
were outside the Office ''the old man
will be on another case in a week.
can see it in his eye now. If he
goes abroad I'll bet it will be on some
case
After dinner that evening Cheney
and his two lieutenants went to the
theater and all through the perform
ance he kept up a running fire of
questions about the work in various
points.
For man who is giving up all ac-
tive work in the business you show a
pretty lively interest," said Lonergan
on their way home
My interest now is just general,
Ed, not specific"
It'll be specific enough all right,
all right, before you leave for that
European trip. Good night" said
Guthrie as they parted.
The next morning about ten Cheney
strolled into his Office Usually his
desk was loaded with papers, tele-
grams, letters, etc.. but this morning
it was as clean as new COIN Cheney
read the paper, smoked a cigar or two
looked at his watch and glanced un-
easily around the room. He was rest
less, no doubt Of it, He walked into
the outer office; the furniture was all
in place but it was as quiet as tomb
jeff called Cheney His tone
was sharp and incisive. but there was
no answer. He opened the door into
the general work room and hum of
typewriters greeted his ears.
"Butler,' he said to one of his
clerks" where's jeff"
Over in Mr.. Guthries Office, sir"
Guthrie and Lonergan had their
Offices at the opposite end of the
suite and thither Cheney went Jeff
was sitting in their ante room.
What are you doing over here,
Jeff" demanded the colonel. with a
show of asperity in his tone.
We'll, yo' see kunnel. Mistah Lon.
ergan he say dis mawnin' as how vo'
wasn't a-goin' to do eny mo- wuk roun'
heah, SO wuz to cum ovah an tend
theyah doah, sub. OATS why, subj"
oh! it is, is it," said Cheney And
you're going to tend the door are you?
Well you get back to my room and
you stay their until 1 tell you to
leave"
"Yas, subj said jeff, laughing heart
lily to himself as he went out. Cheney
went into the inner office and there
sat Guthrie and Lonergan going over
the mail
Morning, Jack" said both of them
rising. Glad to see you down. What's
new"
That's what I'm asking you two.
| come into my Office and find every
thing quiet as grave. Jeff's gone,
not paper, nothing"
Well" said Lonergan, smiling.
Didn't you say you had given up &C.
tive work? You were just going to
have general interest. Am right
Sid?"
You sure are, Ed, and We moved
all the specific cases over here. We
left your room so you could entertain
your friends-and-'
Cheney saw through it all and in
his soul he knew he couldn't give up
He surrendered as they knew he
would.
There's nothing special just now.
Cheney" said Lonergan after they had
gone over matters. Just then the
phone rang. Guthrie answered.
Yes, Col. Cheney is in town. A
minute please-Weeks of the Parlor
Car company wants to speak to you,''
he said, handing Cheney the receiver.
Hello, Weeks. Been back two days.
Yes, I'm ready for business. Always
that, you know. Who-Count Guis-
sepe Rossi of Florence, Italy? Robbed?
Bring him over. I'll see what can be
done. Every sense was now alert.
and his companions smiled as he went
out.
Il told you so, Sid," said Lonerean.
Guthrie only smiled.
Mr.. Weeks was general manager of
the Parlor Car company, and about
half an hour later introduced Cheney
to Count Rossi of Italy.
''Glad to see you, count; sit down."
The count was very distinguished