The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-05-25
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Mk0IUlI$ JOSEPH M! n !
AUTn0R or 3fnE BRASS BOWL"ETc. q
ILLUSTRATIONS by hHM WN0UNDS -

tuudly. Two ne set ASIDE LOT uiS
personal disposition, and these he
took up again after the clerk had
been dismissed. The first he read
and reconsidered for a long time;
then crumpled 1t up and, drawing to
him a small tray Of hammered brass,
dropped the wadded paper upon II
and touched a match to 1t. thoughtful
ly poking the blazing sheets with his
paper-cutter until they were altoSeth-
or reduced to ashes.
Quain's was the second letter. Hav-
ing merely glanced at the heading and
signature, Labsrtouche had reserved
the rather formidable documsnt-for
Quain had written fully-as probably
Of scant Importance, to be dealt with
ct his absolute leisure. But as he
read his expression grew more and
more serious and perturbed. Finish
ing the last page he turned back to
the first and went over It a second
time with much deliberation and fire.
Quent pauses, apparently memorizing
portions OF its contents. Finally he
said, "Hum-m!" i~nscrutably and rang
for Frank.
HE left New York by the Lusitania,
chr" said Mr.. Labertouche aloud. The
clerk entering interrupted his solilo-
guy. Bring me, please" he said,
Bradshaw, the Newsstand the latest
P. q 0. schedule" And when Frank
had returned with the articles, he
desired him to 60 at once and enquire
at Government house the whereabouts
Of Col. Dominick James Farrell. and
further to search the hotels of Cal
cutta for a Miss Farrell, or for infor-
nation concerning her. Have this
for me tonight-come to the bunga-
low at seven" he said. And d.
I shall probably not be at the Office
again for several days"
"Insects?" ~enquired the clerk.
Insects" affirmed Mr.. Labertouchs
gravely.
I'm the Mofussil?"
There or thereabouts, Frank"
Eyes, sir, I presume you don't feel
the need of a capable assistant YETI"
mot yet. Frank" said Labertouche
kindly. B patient. Your time Will
come; you're doing famously now"
Thank you"
Good afternoon. Lock the door
as you leave"
Immediately that he found himself
alone, Labertouche maze OF Quain's
letter a second burnt 0f"~'ng to pre-
tudice upon the tray oi hammered
brass.
This matter attended 70, he lost
himself IN Bradshaw and the PENN
sular g. Oriental Steamship company's
list of sailings; from which he de-
rived enlightenment. He was to come
dirt" Dused Labertouche. In that
,asc he'll have waited owe In Lon
don for the Poonah." He turned TO
the copy of the Indian Daily News
which lay at his elbow, somewhat anx-
iously consulting its shipping news.
Under the heading of Due this Day"
he discovered the words: "Poonah,
London - Calcutta - Straits Settle
ments." And his face heightened with
concern.
That's short notice" he said.
Lucky l got back today-uncommOn
lucky Still | may be mis-
taken" But the surmise failed 20
comfort him.
He drew a sheet of paper on which
there was no letter head to him and
began to write, composing deliberate
ly and with great care.
The building in which his Offices
were located stood upon a corner; at
either end Of the long corridor on the
upper floor, upon which the various
Offices opened, were stairways, one
descending TO Dhurrumtollah street,
the other to a side street little better
than an alley. 1t may be considered
significant that, whereas Labertouche
himself was not seer either to enter
or to leave the building at any time
that day, an Attit mendicant did enter
from Dhurrumtollah street shortly
after Frank had gone to lunch-and
disappeared forthwith; while, IN the
dusk Of evening, a slim Eurasian boy
with a clerkly air left by the stairs to
the alley.