The Lamar register., 1907-05-08
CHAPTER ~.


followed him as rapidly as posi-
BILE, hoping to overtake him and, at
least, persuade him to return to my
office until his excitement had cooled
somewhat, but l reached the street
only in time to see him turn the cor
ner and mingle with the bustling
crowd.
At the same instant a 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 painted, recov-
ering himself with an effort and pull
ing off his cap respectfully. Beg
pardon, sir. I'm looking for Mr.. Wares
offices, sir. Mr.. 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.
Mr.. Wares office is upstairs" I re-
piled. land l am Mr.. Ware. Who are
you?"
Thank We, SIR" he said gratefully,
an expression of relief lighting up his
face. I'm 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. COM
pletely puzzled. Now what do you
want?"
why, I want Mr. Carney. of course.
SIR" he replied. I'm his man. you
know. sir, and he told me to meet him
here in half an hour"
$50 you are Mr.. Carney's servant,
eh?" queried.
He nodded respectfully and touched
his forelock again.
WELL" ! continued. "Mr 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 a chair.
twirling his cap between his hands
and twiddling his thumbs nervously. l
watched him for moment in silence
and then, an idea striking me, l I'M
locked the small cupboard in my desk.
took out bottle and glass and. plac-
ing them before him, said solicitously:
You are completely exhausted, Bobbs:
better take little of this
His face was perfectly frank and
honest as he said, politely. Thank
we kindly. sir. but never touch it. I'll
be all right In a minute, sir"
returned the bottle and glass to
their places, fully satisfied with the re-
suit of my little experiment and con-
WINGED that the fellow had spoken the
truth and could be relied upon in
every way.
How long have you been in Mr.
Carney's EMPLOY" / asked as turned
the key in the lock.
Three years, come next autumn"
he replied promptly.
'.And did you never drink anything
in your life, Bobbs?" / continued. for
l was working out definite line OF
questions.
well, SIR" he rejoined, rather I'M
comfortably I thought. Il can't say as
I've always been teetotal. sir. an
used to take a drop now and then and
again, sir. But since Mr.. Carney got
this way, sir ! gave it up entirely. 1t
wouldn't do for me to be drinkin' now,
you know, sir"
NO, it wouldn't" / said emphatical-
ly. You are quite right, Bobbs. and
you are a faithful fellow to give 1t up
as you have"
Thank ye. SIR" said Bobbs.
How long has Mr.. Carney been in
this condition. asked.
Bobbs looked at me in an unde-
cided fashion for moment and then
blurted out, why. / don't know, sir,
as l ought to be talkin' of his affairs
SO much, sir. 1t don't seem to me as
it's quite right, sir"
appreciated the fellows devotion
and loyalty to his masters interests
and fastened to reassure him.
Its all right, Bobbs," said You
may talk to me perfectly freely for l
understand everything. You know,
Mr.. Carney himself was here for some
time this morning"
Bobbs looked relieved and proceed
ed without further difiidence.
why. should say. sir. it's go'n on
about two years now. Ye Know ne
had some trouble or other on lie mlno
when he went away, sir, an 1t seeHaeo
to prey on him more an more all the
time. After while he began gettin
in with those people, which suppose
was a relief to him and kept MS
thoughts of the other thing. AT nrst
it was only occasionally when he got
to feelin' specially downhearted' put
1t wasn't long before he was with EN-
all the time. sir. I begged and begged
him to heep away from 'em. for you
know as we'll as 1 do. sir. that only
one thing could come of It, out ne