Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-04-23

Wi!ia..s as. now al leisure Ia rna
template the deeps In which he found
himself. Here he was in strange
house under borrowed name and ii.
tie, with little knowledge or expert.
ence to enable him to carry off the i'm
position successfully. True. from his
associations with the earl in Texas he
could recall some of the Englishmans
oddities of speech and manner. 10
which his own soft southern accent
readily accommodated itself, but this
was a flimsy scaffolding by which to
build a successful fraud. Though well
educated, Richards environment had
afforded him small opportunity TO be.
come familiar with the manners of pc.
lite society, and his knowledge of Eng
land and English customs. like that OF
many better informed Americans, was
meager. On the other hand, he had
plenty of common sense. much of his
fathers native shrewdness. a fund OF
ready wit. u cool courage In an emer
gency and in general nerve enough to
brazen out the affair until such a time
as he might see fit to make clean
breast of II and trust the rest to luck.
Having made his preparations fol
luncheon. he was pacing up and down
the rooms which had been assigned to
him, thoughtfully turning the matter
over in his mind, when a servant an
nounced the arrival of Croyland's man
Bills.
"Ah!" said Richard, very eager TO
encounter what might prove to be the
first check and get il over with. SHOW
him up, please"
The servant departed, and to the ad
venturer came another inspiration.
Here was an opportunity which, II
handled deIicateIy. might lead to bril-
liant results. Tie valet entered-a
slight man of medium height, with
clean shaver face. q puttyIike com
pleXion and a pale. Unconditional eye.
M lord
The man stopped suddenly, passed
his hand over his mouth and stood star
ing at Richard, while a look of recog-
milton slowly illumined his brain.
''Why. Mr.. Williams. sirr he burst
out presently. Il thought
"Ah." smiled Richard. in his most in.
nocent and beguiling manner, 80 you
haven't forgotten your little trip TO
TeXas?"
Mono. sir. An those awful COW
gentlemen. sirr' faltered Bills. with a
shudder Of remembrance of some prac-
teal jokes of which he had been the
victim at the hands of some of the COW
punchers before be left for New York
and civilization.
"Goodl Now, attend me carefully.
Do you know anything of the reasons
why your master is in New York;
"A little, sir. but not Inuci some
business for the Japs. for a foreign
government. sir"
Richard took thoughtful turn up
and down the room, then faced the
man again.
You look rather an intelligent man,
Bills, and can appreciate what | am
going to say to You. Your master finds
it necessary to lie low for week or
two. UnderstandT'
"Very good, SIR
''In the first place, Lord Croyland au-
thorized me to discharge you immedi-
ately upon your arrival"
The servant looked up quickly.
CLEAN of suspicion in his fishy eye.
"Askin' your pardon, SIR" he said
deferentially, "but 'ow am to know.
sir, that you-that''-
THAT | am acting on the level?" fin |
ished Richard. IL admire your caution.
To begin with, you'll have to take my
word. IL this, however, has no weight,
/ am to freshen your memory with
little matter of four pound six and a
jeweled cigar cutter. Follow meT
The valet licked his lips and said
nothing. Richard went on:
IF you still have doubts on the sub
Jet, Lord Croyland IL in possession of
an inquiry from a friend Of yours in
Scotland Yard-an inquisitive duck of
the name OF Drake. l dare say he's
asking after your health. wellT'
"w'en would you have me leave
sirf' asked Bills most deferentially
again. without change of counte-
nance
Richard regarded the man critically.
THAT'S just the point. Friend Wool
sey. | think can arrange to give you
q position-that is. for a time at least
How much does your master pay your
Twelve pounds month. sir. an III,
keep"
very WELL" nodded Richard. Il *