Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-05-20

Origin of the Alphabet and the aa-
thor is a half-mad old don. who was
subsequently turned out of Oxford for
drunkenness"
"Mauder,' said Jimmy, gazing at his
host in bewilderment, you've hit it
OUT
All" said the publisher, triumphant,
Il thought that was it. Well, your
search is fruitless. We only printed
500 copies; the book was a failure-the
same ground was more effectively COW
cred by better books. / found a dusty
old copy a few years ago, and gave IT
to my secretary. SO far as / know,
that is the only copy in existence"
But your secretary" said Angel
eagerly. What IS his name? Where
does he Iive?"
IT'S not a he" said Mauder, but
a She"
Her name?"
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 a most charming lady,
too-was my secretary for two years.
l do not know what induced her to
work, but | rather think she support
ed an invalid father"
What is her name?" asked Angel
lmpatiently.
Kathleen Kent" replied the publish
er, and her address is"
Kathleen Kent" repeated Jimmy in
"!2c eyed 22ton!SHnacat. angels and
ministers Of grace defend US"
Kathleen Kent" repeated Angel
with a gasp We'll, that takes the ever
lasting biscuit! But" ne added quickly,
how did o come to know Of our
errand?"
Well" drawled the elder man, wrap
ping his dressing gown round him more
snugly, lit was a guess to an extent.
You see, Angel, when a man has been
already awakened out Of a sound sleep
TO answer mysterious inquiries about
an out of date book"
What" cried Jimmy, s~pringing 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, don't be funny; this is a serious
business
Nobody has been here" said Maud
er, but an hour ago a 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 l be after tomor-
row. sleep is too precious a gift to
be dissipated-"
who was the MANI demanded
Angel.
Il couldn't quite catch his name. He
was very apologize. / gathered that
he was a newspaper man, and wanted
particulars in connection with the death
OF the author"
Angel smiled.
THE authors alive, all right he
said grimly. How did the voice sound
"a little pompous, with a clearing of
the throat before each sentence ?''
h other nodded.
"Spedding!" said Angel, rising. 1--WE
haven't any time to lose, jimmy
Mauder accompanied them into the
hall.
One question" said Jimmy as he
fastened the collar OF his motor coat
Can Q give us any idea of the con-
tents of the book"
II can't" was the reply. At have
a dim recollection that much of IL 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 h back pages of teach
ers' bibles
The two men took their seats in the
car as IT swung around and turned it's
bright head lamps toward London.
"'I found this puzzle In a book
From which some mighty truths were
took
murmured Angel in his mpanio
ear, n Jimmy nodded. He was
at that moment utterly oblivious and
careless OF the fortune that awaited
them In the great safe at Lom-
bard street. His mind was filled
with anxiety concerning the girl
who unconsciously held the book which
might tomorrow make her an heiress.
SPEEDING had moved promptly, and he
would be aided, he did not doubt, by
Common and the rnfflans Of the apo--
ough Lot" III the book was still in the
girls possession they would have It.
and they would make their attempt at
once
His mind was full of dark fore
bodings, and although the car bounded
through the night at full speed. and
the rain which had commenced to fail
again cut his face, and the momentum
OF the powerful machine took his
breath away, IL vent all too slowly for
his mood.
One incident relieved the monotony
of the journey. AS the car flew around
a corner In an exceptionally narrow
lane II almost crashed into another
car. which, driven at ~breakneck speed
was coming in the opposite direction.
A feeting exchange OF curses between
the chauffeurs. and the cars passed.
BY common consent they had headed
for Kathleen's home. Streatham was
deserted. AS they turned the corner
OF the quiet road In which the girl lived.
Angel stopped the car and alighted. He
lifted n of the huge lamps from the
socket and examined the road.
There has been a car here less than
half an hour ago." he said. pointing to
the unmistakable track OF wheels,
They led TO the door OF the house.
He rang the bell and Ii was almost
Immediately answered by an elderly
lady. who. wrapped In a loose dressing
seg. babe him eGte.
Nobody seems to be surprised to
see US tonight" thought Angel with
better humor.
II am Detective Angel from Scot
land Yard" he announced himself. and
the elderly lady seemed unimpressed.
Kathleen has gone" h informed
him cheerfully.
Jimmy heard her with q sinking OF
his heart.