Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-05-09
him full of recollections of his dear

uAuA AuiA VI HeColleCI4CHS Oh Ills Gear
dead mother.
AS they passed along the corridor
to Max's own little den in the east
wing OF the house, pleasant little
room overlooking the deep shady
glen from, whence rose the constant
music of the ever ripping burn
AS Charlie sank into the big arm
chair near the fire, Max pushed the
cigar box towards him. Then he seat
ed himself, saying:
Now, old fellow, what are we to
do? Marion must be found"
She must! But you've failed, you
say?'
Utterly" he sighed "she was dis
charged from Cunnington 's-disgrac-
ed!"
why"
Max shrugged his shoulders. Both
men knew well that the reason of the
girls disappearance was the shame of
her dismissal. Both men knew also
that by lifting his finger Sam Statham
could have reinstated her-or could
at least have had inquiry made as to
the truth of what had really occurred,
But he had refused. Therefore both
were indignant and angry. During the
next half hour they discussed the mat
ter fully and seriously, and were
agreed upon one main point, that
Statham had acted against them both
in refusing his aid to clear the unfor-
tunate girl.
Whatever fault she has commit
ted declared Max, "the truth should
be told. went to him acknowledging
my love for her and beseeching his
aid. And yet he has refused"
Then let us combine, Max, in try
ing to discover the TRUTH" her broth
er suggested Marion should not be
cast aside into oblivion by these dra-
perry capitalists who gain fat profits
upon the labor and lives of women"
"You may imperil your position
with Statham If you act without dis
cretion," remarked Max warningly.
sideration, depend upon it. Statham
refused mis- assistance, therefore we
must act for ourselves"
How? Where shall we begin?" ask.
ed Max.
His friend raised his palms in a
gesture of bewilderment
Look here, Charlie" said the other
in a confidential tone. HAS it not oc.
Cured to you that there may be a
method in old Statham's eccentricity
regarding that house of his. Now tell
me, what do you think of it's interior?
Let's be frank with each other. You
have lost both your sister and the
woman you adored, while I have lost
Marion, my well-beloved. Let us act
together, During these past weeks I've
been thinking deeply regarding the
mystery of that house in Park Lane.
$50 have I, many times. l only
know the ground floor and basement
through that white enamelled iron
door concealed by the one of green
baize."
where does old Levi sleep?"
"1n room at the back of the kitch
en-when he sleeps at all. He's like
watch dog, on the alert always fol
the slightest sound"
Max paused for a moment before
making any further remark. Then he
said in quiet voice:
There are some queer stories
afloat concerning that place, Charlie
II know-I've heard them - about
mysterious people who enter there a,
night and don't come forth again
But I don't believe them. Old Sam
has earned reputation for being
eccentric and his enemies have tack
ed on all sorts of sensational fc,
ton
"But I've heard lately from half a
dozen sources most extraordinary
stories Up at the Moretouns' at In
versnaid the night before last, they
were talking of it at dinner. They
were unaware that I knew Statham
Just as the gossips are unaware
that the persons who come and go sc
mysteriously at the Park Lane man
sion are secret agents of the great fl
nancier," Rolfe said. "Of course ii
would not do to say so openly, but
that's who they are. The allegation
that they don't come forth again Is
feel confident, mere embroidery tc
the tale"
But exclaimed Max with some
hesitation, "has it not ever occurred
to you somewhat curious that, sc
deeply involved in Servian finance
OIdluduI HAS never sought 10 SOlVS
the mystery Of the doctors disappear
ance? Remember, they knew each 9th
er. The doctor, when he was a power
at Belgrade, was probably the old
mans cat's-paw. Is it not therefore
surprising that he has never express
ed a desire to seek out the truth?"
Rolfe held his breath as new and
terrible suspicion arose within him
He had never regarded the affair il
that light. Was it possible that his
master knew well all the circum
stances which had led the doctor tc
disappear in that manner SO extraor
binary? Had he really had a hand il
It?
Was he the friend of whom Sil
Charles had spoken in Belgrade?
But no! He would not believe such
thing. Sam Statham was always
honest in his dealings-or, at least
as honest as any millionaire can ever
be. The man who habitually deals il
colossal sums must now and then, O
necessity ruin his opponents ant
wreck the homes of honest men. AND
strange it is that the world is eve
ungrateful. If very wealthy MAI
gave every penny of his profits tt