Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-22


mel Quinnox and company Of soldiers.
riding up from the city gates toward
the north in response to a call for
help from honest herders who reported
attacks and robberies Of an alarming
nature, came upon the stiff. footsore,
thorn scratched Mr.. Hobbs not FAR
from the walls Of the town. The colo
mel was not long in grasping the sub
stance of Hobbs revelations. he rode
Off at once for the witch's howell. send
ing Hobbs with a small. instructed es-
cort to the castle. where Baron Dan
gloss was in consultation with Mr.. Tui-
lis and certain minister's.
The city was peaceful enough. much
to the surprise of Hobbs. No disturb
ance had been reported, said the
guardsmen who rode beside him. UP
in the hills there had been some depre-
dations but that was ALL
"All?" groaned Mr.. Hobbs. All!
Hang it all, man, wot do you call all!
You haven't heard 'alf Of it vet. tell
you, there's been the devil to pay.
Wait till the colonel comes back from
Ganlook gap. He'll have news for
you; take it from me. he will. Thar
poor chap as gone up in smoke as
sure MS my name IS Hobbs"
They met Baron Dangloss near the
barracks, across the park from the
castle. He was in close. earnest con-
versation with John Tullis and Count
Halfont, both of whom seemed labor
ing under intense excitement.
The arrival Of Hobbs. pitiful but
heroic object. at once arrested the at
tention Of every one. His story was
heard by most distinguished audi
ence.
There is nothing supernatural about
Kings disappearance" said Tullis
sharply. That's all nonsense. He had
money about him, and it perhaps turns
out that there really was man at
the crack in the door, a clever brigand
who today has got the better of our
vainglorious friend The shooting in
the hills is more disturbing than this,
to my mind
"This mystery coming on top OF the
other is all the more difficult to under
stand-I mean the disappearance OF
the Countess Marlanx." said Baron
Dangloss. pulling at his imperial in
plain perplexity. But we must not
stop here talking. Will you come with
me, Mr.. Tullis. to the tower? l shall
send out my best man to work on the
case Of the lady. 1t Is most amaz-
ing thing. 1 still have hope that she
will appear in person to explain the
affair."
Il think not" said Tullis gloomily
'"This looks like abduction-foul play.
or whatever you choose to call it. She
has never left her fathers house in
just this manner before. / believe.
baron, that Marlanx has taken her
away by force. She told me yesterday
that she would never 60 back to him
If she could help 1t. l have already
given you my suspicious regarding his
designs upon the-ahem" Catching
the eager gaze Of the prince, he
changed the word throne" to "treas-
ury.''
Lorraine, her cheeks white with reso.
luton, turned upon John Tull1S. You
might leave the rescue of the countess
to the proper authorities-the police.
she said calmly. II think it Is your
duty as an American to head the
search for Mr. King. If Count Mar
lanx has spirited his wife away. pray
who has a better right?"
"But we are not sure that he'-
eve are sure that Mr.. King is eithe
dead or in dire need Of help" she In
terrupted hotly.
Colonel Quinnox is quite competen
to conduct the search" he said shortly
"But Colonel Quinnox has gone fortl
on another mission. He may be I'm