The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-05-19
ANGEL ESQUIRE
BY EDGAR WALLACE

Dook puohshed by our people MIN
YES" the wonderment deepening o,
the faces Of the two men.
THE title" said the publisher i'm
pressively, 'is A Short Study on thu
Origin of the Alphabet and the au.
thor Is half-mad old don, who was
subsequently turned out Of Oxford fol
drunkenness"
"Mauder," said Jimmy. gazing at hi.
but"
"Ah," said the publisher, triumphant
Il thought that was it, Well, your
search Is fruitless. We only printed
500 copies; the book was failure-the
same ground was more effectively COW
cred by better books. I found a dusty
old copy few years ago, and gave II
to my secretary. So far as I know,
that Is the only copy In existence"
But your secretary" said Angel
eagerly. What is his name? Where
does he liver"
TITS not 'he.'" said Mauder, but
a She"
Her Manner
If you had asked that question earl
Ter In the evening could not have told
you,' said Mauder obviously enjoying
the mystery he had created, but since
then my memory has been refreshed.
The girl-and most charming lady,
too-was my secretary for two years.
l do not know what induced her to
work, but l rather think she support
ed an invalid father"
What Is her manner" asked Angel
impatiently
Kathleen Kent" replied the publish
err, land her address is"
Kathleen Kentw repeated Jimmy in
wide-eyed astonishment. Angels and
ministers Of grace defend u.s."
Kathleen Kent" repeated Angel
with a gasp. well, that takes the ever
lasting biscuit! But" he added quickly.
errand?'
We'll" drawled the elder man. wrap
ping his dressing gown round him more
snugiy, ~ was guess to an extent
already awakened out Of sound sleep
to answer mysterious inquiries about
an out of date book"
What" cried Jimmy, springing up.
somebody has already been here"
1t Is only natural" the publisher
went on. ito connect his errand with
that OF the second midnight intruder"
WHO has been here? For heavens
sake, dont be FUNNY; this is a serious
business
Nobody has been here" said Maud
er, but an hour ago man called me
up on the telephone
Jimmy looked at Angel. and Angel
looked at Jimmy.
Jimmy" said Angel penitently.
write me down as a fool. Telephone!
Heavens, l didn't know you were con-
nected."
Nor was I till last week" said the
publisher, NOR will I be after tomor.
row.. Sleep is too precious a gift to
be dissipated-"
Who was the man?" demanded
Angel.
II couldn't quite catch his name. He
was very apologetic. I gathered that
ne was newspaper man, and wanted
particulars In connection with the death
Of the author"
Angel smiled.
1.-THE authors alive, all right" he
said grtmly. How did the voice sound
"a little pompOus, with a clearing OF
the throat before each sentence?''
The other nodded.
"Spedding" said Angel, rising. 1--WE
haven't any time to lose, JIMMY"
Mauder accompanied them into the
Zone question" said Jimmy as he
fastened the collar Of his motor coat
can you give us any idea of the con-
tents Of the book?"
4 dim recollection that much of II was
purely conventional, that there were
some rough drawings and the earlier
forms OF the alphabet were illustrated
-the sort OF thing you find In encyclo-
pedias or In the back pages of teach
ers' bibles"
The two men took their seats in the
'ar as 1t swung around and turned its
bright head lamps toward London.
i found this puzzle in a book
from which some mighty truths were
Took"
nurmured Angel In his companion's
ear, and Jimmy nodded. He was
1t that moment utterly oblivious and
careless of the fortune that awaited
mem In the great safe at Lom-
,ard street His mind was filled
WITH anxiety concerning the girl
who unconsciously held the book which
night tomorrow make her an heiress.
SPEEDING had moved promptly, and he
would be aided, he did not doubt bv
connor and the ruffians Of the Dor
ugh Lot" II the book was still in the
Iirrs possession they would have #.
md they would make their attempt at
,nce.
His mind was full of dark fore
,odings, and although the car bounded |
through the night at full speed. and |
he rain which had commenced to fan
gain cut his face, and the momentum |
Il the powerful machine took his
'reath away, 1t went all too slowly for |
lis mood
One incident relieved the monotony
II the journey. AS the car flew around !
corner IN an exceptionally narrow
ane 1t almost crashed into another
ar, which, driven at breakneck speed.
vas coming In the opposite direction.
Meeting exchange of curses between
he chauffeurs, and the cars passed.
BY common consent they had headed |
or Kathleen's home. Streatham was
deserted. AS they turned the corner
4 the quiet road in which the girl lived. /
nigel stopped the car and alighted. He
lfted one OF the huge lamps from the
ocket and examined the road.
There has been car here less than
alf an hour ago." he said, pointing to
he unmistakable track of wheels.
hey led to the door Of the house.
He rang the bell and it was almost
answered by an elderly
ady, who, wrapped In loose dressing
own, bade him enter
Nobody seems to be surprised to
ee US tonight" thought Angel with
etter humor
Il am Detective Angel from Scot
and Yard" he announced himself. and
ne elderly lady seemed unimpressed.
kathleen has gone" she informed
Jimmy heard her with sinking of
is heart.
Yes" said the old lady, "Mr. Sped
Ing, the eminent solicitor, called for
er an hour ago. and"-she grew CON