Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-24
But sheila refused absolutely to use

But sheila refused absolutely to use
the telephone.
X never did like them things" she
said, "a little ugly voice In your ear
out Of nowhere, like q ghost. An, !
know they're all right, but wouldn't
touch It,"
So called up Reid myself. He
plunged in and took immediate COM
mand of the situation with his usual
busy efficiency; but could see that ne
was alarmed.
Probably just gone to one OF the
neighbors. Certainly. No occasion
for any uneasiness. None at all. Ill
Just call up the people she might be
with, and be sure. Glad you told me.
Quite right. Glad you told me-"
you don't think there's any chance
that Carussi--?"
mot the least. No chance at all.
Still, you might scout around the
neighborhood BIT, and see II you see
anything OF him. And tell Sheila to go
to Stamford and 60 through all the
stores. Might have gone shopping.
I'll come right up and stay at the house
myself"
How about Mr.. Tabor!" asked.
"All right. No need to alarm him.
Not bit. I'll call him up later. II
necessary. But, Of course. weIl find
her at once. Hurry up and get started.
Always best to act at once Sure to
be all right. Don't wait for me-"
It occurred to. me as started out
that Doctor Reid did not have very
high opinion Of my ability. He was one
OF those cocksure men who conhne
their sureness mostly to their own
mental processes Well, We should see;
and II l found myself right, promised
Carucci beating that would dampen
his black hand imaginings for some
time to come.
My first move on leaving the house
was to call up New York from the
telephone booth at the inn. | was
lucky enough to find Maclean at the
Office of his paper.
"Say,s Mac" I asked him, what did
you make Of that dago story?"
'Nothin'," Mac shifted. Nothin' at
all, The gum-shoes think he checked
his old woman, an they're waitin for
him to give himself or somebody else
away, you see? Then they'll grab
him. Course, could have told 'em she
was alive but then that might have
brought you people in, an besides.
those fellows wouldn't come across
for me. Reciprocity's my cry, an al
ways has BEEN"
"Well. do you know where can hnd
our friend?s I want to talk to him?"
Sure l found him myself, but he
wouldn't scare for darn. Said Tabor
had his wife all right, and not one OF
you dared touch him. You'll find. MT.
Giuseppe workin' on the railroad, all
the nvelong day-that new trolley en-
bankment we passed on the iin'. They
have guinea camp back In the woods
a piece. Say, Laurie. course your
friends are all right. an It's none o
my business; but they smell fishy to
me mile of. II I was you I'D duck
out right now There's some niger
in this woodpile that We don't know
anythin' about, you sect?
"Thanks, Mac,"SI said. Il know
better than that, though. There's nc
trouble"
"Well. I'm only tellin' you what
think. That guinea put up lone
howl to me about the old man that;
wouldn't use and didn't moren hall
believe; but want to see you about
1t when you come In town, all the
same. Say. you amt sore, are you?,
"All right, old man." said l; and
hung up the receiver.
Maclean's warning came too patiently
from his point Of view on the sinister
surface Of the situation to give me the
slightest additional uneasiness; but 1t
made me all the more determined to
talk with Carucci and at least learn
whatever he thought he knew, even
though he should prove innocent OF
Mrs. Tabor's disappearance. took
the trolley to the nearest switch, and
walked the couple Of hundred yards
between 1t and the new embankment
Construction was in full blast, and
about seventy-fve Italians swarmed
over the work under the direction OF
lorul, Irish foremen. sauntered
about the place with as much idle
curiosity as l could assume, stopping
to watch the little groups, going from
place to place, even making second
round: but no Carucci was to be seen
One or two of the men glanced at me
with what l imagined was a certain
sullen suspicion; but that may have
been purely imaginary. From the en-
bankment I cast about for the con
struction camp The nearest wooded
spot that could see was half a mile
or so across country, and made tc
ward this. skirting little swamp OF
SO. and climbing an occasional fence
AS | went along, made more and
more sure that was right; for, trod
den path developed and fence-rails
we're broken or left carelessly out o.
place.
With the ugly hubble OF tin-roofed
huts in sight, came upon Carucci; OF
perhaps l should say that he came
upon me. He came running to meet
me down the pathway. with sort Of
rolling, dancing gait that would have
been very funny had not known him
"Whata you want?" he shouted
Goa da way"
THAT is what am asking you
said in Italian. you know vel
enough that your wife can come to you
whenever she pleases. What do you
want of Mr.. Tabor"