El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-08-16
The Herald's
Daily Short Story
q MISSING 81

, had relieved himself of such revelations
as were inconsistent with seafarlns
career This flaw in an otherwise un-
blernished personality kept Bill awake,
and when towards midnight he heard
the loud snoring of his guest, ne Slip
ped out of bed and took the hDerty OIL
personally examining that gentleman
He was surprised TO find that Mr. john
Walkers back was quite innocent of q
tattoo mark. and that his feet, Doln
right and left, bore no mark OF IN
jury.
In the evening Bill met his friend
Ted Quite by chance Ted had hearo
of Spoilers presence in Bits room'
and was excited thereby.
Seen the paper. Old man." he sald
expecting to hear at once Oh the luck
discovery.
Fact is said Bill putting two and
two together and dividing the cause OF
Ted's excitement Il amt ad time 10
! look at it, 1 got a chap in my place
wot asked me to give I'm bed ana
'e's maxim 'imself a perishin' noosance-
Coin out to China. e is wai7in LOT *
| ship TO sail Sooner e clears 'at the
better I shall like it"
This was said with such innocence
ard honest indignation that Ted was
. completely deceived.
That's our luck. BILL" said Ted.
.'Tain't as If you had spare room IKE
US S'pose it's no good osfcrin' 10 Jake
i'm over?"
Bill stifled a laugh and shook his
head Thanks. all the same. TED ne
said: but I wouldn't like to bother
your missis with i'm sides, e owes me
a bit for keep"
Well" said Ted. trying to appear
unconcerned, 81 might advance you
few bob for that and put IL on is Dill
with us, if you care TO send i'm over
Don't matter TO me. only my missis is
always a cryin' out for ledger. We'll,
never mind. I dare say"
The change was made. Ted generous
" conceding five shillings for Spoilers
board and lodging, and then set out to
get the 20 pounds.
But there he soon received a check
Hopper street, where the investigator
lived, was not to be found. Nobody had
heard of it. nor of Guy Chambers And
when Ted tried to trace Mr.. Hall Cuff
one or two smart people pointed out the
humorous nature of the name and ad-
dress. Perhaps it was lucky for Spoofer
that ne was not IN when Ted returned
home. and that he did not reappear.
But it was not so lucky. for Harry,
who had Spoofer-in safe keeping. Spoo-
fer had recognized Harry as a third
party in the. coffee house, and, feeling
that Ted's methods were not quite TO
his liking decided ~on a change
'Maxey,'' he said. stopping Harry in
the street, I'm a poor and at reading,
but 1 believe this printin' Is somethink
about me- Would yer mind looking at
it,"
Harry's eyes bulged as he read of the
reward.
Where are yer Twin old paI?" he
asked.
''Nowheres,'' said Spoofer miserably.
Come and share my room. while
look and see if I can do you bit o.
good
Spoofer accepted this offer. and Har-
os good, set about finding Mr.. Hal
Cuff.
BILL" said Harry. producing the ad-
vertisement on the next evening at the
Albert coffee rooms, "wot dyer make of
that, old mani"
should like to meet 'ini." said Bill,
who had missed briar pipe.
Same ere" said Ted.
LES round at my 'ouse," said Harry.
''Wot do you say to 'aving a chat with
'imT'
The trio arrived just as Spoofer, with
a bag Of Harry's belongings, was about
TO take French leave. He put the bag
down sheepishly
Come on" said Harry. with grin.
well take i'm TO Guy Fawkes Cham
bers"
After a short procession they halted
before an iH-lighted public house by
the riverside.
ERE We are" said Bill. "'E only
wants some tattoo marks on the back,
and lis left foot put in the fire. des-
say We can manage that little bit"
The next minute Spoofer was strug-
CLING with three enthusiasts intent on
depriving him of his clothes
'Lemme goi" he yelled Polfce"
Put 'em in deep. AIRY said Ted
chuckling. as Harry proceeded to in
scribe substitute for the tattoo marks
on Spoilers back with cane. I'll drop
into the bar and get this penny 'ot
ready for is EEL.
Before the frolicsome Ted could re-
turn Spoofer broke away and ran.
Holly pursued. he I1!@sed rs footing
on barge and plumpted into the mud
dy shadows of the river. 4 few seconds
later the flash of bulls eye appeared,
and three dark figures took a hasty
departure. It was a very muddy Spoo-
fer that crept back to gather up the
remains of a nautical uniform.