The Tupelo journal., 1909-06-11

looks like an air-shaft. This door IS
only a few feet from the shaft to the
patio. We have found a bolt and put
it on this entrance, but there wasn't
any before; nor did any n in the
house know of the secret passage"
The colonel went on to say that on
questioning the architect he averred
that he had never mentioned the
secret passage to his knowledge-ex-
cept that very recently, only a few
days before, at a dinner, he had barely
alluded to it; and one of the gentle
men present, an easterner, had asked
him where he got a nan to make such
a contrivance-it must take skill. He
had mentioned the name of the work
man. The colonel had hunted up the
artisan mentioned, only to find that
he had left town to take a job some
where; no one seemed to know where.
Of course he had inquired of every
body. The name of the fastener was
Atkins.
Atkins" cried Warnebold, at this
turn of the narrative, "Keatcham's
secretary? Why, he's the boldest and
slyest scoundrel in the United States!
He started a leak in Keatcham's office
that made him a couple of hundred
thousands and lost us a million and
might have lost us more if Mercer
hadn't got on to him. Keatcham
wouldn't believe he had been done to
the extent he was at first-you know
the old man hates to own to any ones
getting the better of him; it's the one
streak of vanity I've ever been able to
discover in him. Otherwise, he's cold
and keen as a OF a frosty morn
ing. He was convinced enough, how
ever, to discharge Atkins; the next
ews l had, he was trying to send him
to the pen. Gave us instructions how
to get the evidence. No allusion to his
past confidence in the fellow, simply
the orders-as if we knew all the
preliminaries. Wonderful man, Mr..
Keatcham, Col. Winter"
Very" agreed the colonel, dryly.
By this time the warrior and the
man of finance were on easy terms.
Warnebold remained three days. Be-
fore he left the patient had been pro-
nounced out of danger and had re-
vived enough to give some succinct
business directions. Mercer had been
sent to look out for the cement deal;
and Keatcham appeared a little re.
lieved and brighter when he was told
that Mercer was on his way.
HE will put it through II it can be
put he said said weakly to Warne-
bold; hes moderately smart and per.
fectly honest" Such words, Warne'
bold explained later to Mrs. Winter,
coming from Keatcham, might be re.
garded almost as e~xtravagant com
m%endation. "Your cousins fortune is
made" he pronounced, solemnly; "he
can get Atkins place, I make no
doubt"
Mrs. Winter thought that Mercer
was a very valuable man.
"Only always SO melancholy; I've
been afraid he had something serious
the matter with his digestion. It's
these abominable quick lunches that
are running the health of all our steady
young men. I don't know but they
are almost as bad as chorus girls and
late suppers. Well, Mrs. Winter, I'm
afraid we shall not have another
chance at bridge until l see you in
New York. But, anyhow, we stung
the colonel once-and with Miss Smith
playing her greatest game, too. Pity
she can't induce Mr.. Keatcham tc
play; but he never touches a card
hardly ever takes anything to drink
doesn't like smoking especially. takes
a cigarette once in q while only, never
plays the races or bets o the run Of
the vessel-positively such icy virtue
gives an ordinary sinner the cramps!
Very great man, though, Mrs. Winter
and a man we are all proud to follow;
| be may be oyerbearing; and he doesn'a