The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-11-12
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ceired Il note from lawyer named
Hofnagel, who was Pettus' chief ad
wiser. 1t was delivered to Blake in
the tiny apartment which was now so
sweet and dear Il home, and the tone
of the communication seemed particu-
larly offensive in that sacred spot
Come to my office at once" etc This
was too much for a man just clothed
in brand new self esteem.
Blake wrote across the lawyers let
ter with Il heavy blue pencil, IF you
have any business with me. state it.
ter seems to warrant"
Hofnagcl was furious. but he needed
Blake, SO he sent word that he de-
sired to offer him some work which
= would pay well.
II think he has quarreled with Mr..
Pettus and wants your help against
him." said Amy
Its probably crooked. whatever 1t
is said Blake. "Ill decline-a little
more politely this time"
Late that afternoon he met one of
Hofnagers clerks on the street. APP
parcntly by accident
Mr.. Hofnagel wants to see you"
said the clerk "Thcre's Il document
in Mr. Pettus' handwriting. and no
body can read it. PcttuS himself has
forgotten what it is You can make
500 in half an hour by tranSating that
scrawl"
Blake believed that there was truth
in this. 1t was Il fact that Pettus was
often unable TO read his own writing
and that Blake was the only man on
earth who could be depended upon to
perform that feat. The Pettus hand is
famous.
I'll consider the matter" said Blake,
and ut the moment it was his inten-
ton to sec uofnagel next day. but he
was occupied with the fruitless search
for work. and the matter was forgot
ten until too late
Blake returned home that afternoon
really diSheartened seriously alarmed
He had detected the Pettus influence
strongly against him. and his heart
was full of bitterness.
TO his unspcakabln amazement, he
found Mrs. Pettus IN his sitting room
The rigid, pale old woman in her cheap
black gown was doing her miserable
best to be affabe and to give an air
of the usual to this extraordinary in
Cidcut.
My husband was very sorry to lose
you. Mr. Blake" said she lie would
be glad indeed if you would return to
his employment, and I'm sure that all
your differences could be adjusted
upon a basis that would be very salts
factory to you. At any rate. you and
| have no quarrel. and I'm sure you
will do me this little favor"
Amy saw her husbands face hard
ening, and she FASTENED to the rescue
of her guest.
Mr. Pettus has gone away said
she, and no one knows where. He
wrote Il letter TO Mr.. HOfnagel which
doubtless explains everything. but it
cannot be read. Meanwhile Mr.. Pet
desire to communicate with him at
once"
The fiction of the illness of the sis
ter did not impress Blake, but be
lacked the hardihood to refuse this re-
quest under his own roof
Have YOU the letter?" he asked,
and Mrs r"ttus produced it from her
rusty black hand bag with the celsY-
ity of a conjurcr
Blake glanced 1T 1t, ana his face he
came an inch or two longer thaA or
dinarily The letter looked a. IF It
had been written in the dark on the
back of q buoNing horse The lines
ran together, rhg words trod upon one
anothels heels
This VIII take me all night" said
he, but you shall have il tomorrow
morning If the thing can he read a.
all will send it to Mr.. Hofuagcl's Of
Zee