Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-02-22

Mccutcheon
c.rvrd by Dodd. Mead {, Company


The girl left the window and walked
slowly to the rear of the shop, passing
through the narrow door, without SO
| much as n glance at King or the old
man. Spantz was silent until she was
gone.
You want the broadsword, eh?" he
asked moderating his tone considera-
| bly,. IT'S rare old
! "I'll give you hundred dollars-not
another cent interrupted King, not
yet over his resentment There fol
lowed a long and irritating argument,
at the conclusion of which Mr.. King
became the possessor of the weapon at
| his own price.
.'rll come in again." he said tndiffer-
emily.
But you are leaving tomorrow, sir"
'I've changed my mind"
"Then you have discovered some |
thing in Edelweiss to attract your"
grinned the old armorer.
II dare say you're right. Clean that
sword up a bit for me. and I'll drop
in tomorrow and get it. Here's 60
gavyos to bind the bargain-the rest
| Oh uellNeIy. 1OOu Jay, MI. op0utA.
Good day, Mr.. King"
How do you happen to know my
nameY
Spantz put his hand over his heart
and delivered himself cf a most i'm.
pressive bow. When so distinguished
visitor comes to our little city," he
said, I'VE lose no time in discovering
his name. 1t is part Of our trade,
sir, believe me-"
"Fm not so sure that do believe
you," said Truxton King to himself as
he sauntered up the street toward the
hotel.
Mr.. Hobbs, from Cooks, was at his
, elbow, his eyes glistening with eager
ness.
Il say, old Dangoss is waiting for
you at the Regengetz, sir. Wot's up?
Wot you been up to, sir"
up to-up to, Hobbs?'
"My word, sir, you must have been
or he wouldn't be there to see you"
"Who is Dangloss"
minister Of police. Haven't l told
you? Hes keen one, too. take my
word for it. 1 heard him ask for you"
He lost no time in getting to the ho-
tel A we'll remembered, fierce look
ing little man in white linen suit,wns
A waiting for him on the great piazza.
Baron Jasto Dangloss was a polite
man, but not to the point Of procras-
tination. He advanced to meet the
puzzled American. smiling amiably and
swirling his imposing mustache with
neatly gloved fingers.
II have called, Mr.. King, to have a
J little chat with you" he said abrupt
ly. He enjoyed the look of surprise
- on the young mans face. Wont you
join me at this table? A julep will
not be bad. eh?' King sat down op'
y posite to him at one Of the piazza ia
:, bles in the shade Of the great trailing
- vines. A waiter took the order and
~. departed.
:. Nov, to come to the point" began
- the baron. you expected to leave to
morrow Why are you staying over?
), "Baron, leave that to your own dis
- tinguished powers Of deduction" sale
" Truxton gently. He took long pull
% at the straw, watching the others face
:. as he did So The baron smiled.
~ you have found the young lady II
~ the gunshop to be very attractive" OBJ
served the baron. Where have 20,
y. known her before?"
- II beg pardon|
at is not unusual for young NAL
. in search Of adventure to follow tn
y lady Of his choice from place to place
~ She came but recently. recall"
"You think l knew her before ant
- followed her to Edelweiss?"
~ II am not quite sure whether yo
~ have been in Warsaw lately. Their
- is n gap in your movements that
- can't account for"
King became serious at once. Il
20 Eaw that it was best to be frank wit
~ this keen old man.
" Baron Dangloss, don't know jus
what you are driving at, but I'll sc
you straight. so far as I'm concerned
u 1 never saw that girl until the day b.
laI fore yesterday. / never spoke to he
:! until today"
- "She smiled on you quite familia
ne ly from her window easement yeste
- day" said Dangloss cooly.
-, "She laughed at me. to be perfect
Ao candid But what's all this about"
Dangloss leaned forward and smile
10 sourly.
ns "Take my advice-do not play vii
~ fire." he said enigmatically.
NC "You-you mean she's dangerol
person? l can't believe that, baron"
~ "She has dangerous friends out
-, the. world. she is Olga Platanov
al Her mother was married in this eli
81 twenty-five years ago to Professor RI
49, tanova of Warsaw The professor W;
~ executed last year for conspiracy. I
~ was one of the leaders Of great re
"a dictionary movement in Poland. Th'
were virtually anarchists. as you ha
Tho come to place them in America. TT
- girl Olga was his secretary. His dea
~ almost killed her But that is not a
-. She had sweetheart up to fife
fArsr0 NJ