The Raymer enterprise., 1911-01-05
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dapper and foppish.
From the top of his shiny tile to the
tips OF his gllttering patent.leather
shoes-frock coat, fancy waistcoat i'm
maculately creased gray trousers. with
gloves and spats to match, his en-.
semble was strictly de riguer. There
was not false note anywhere
In height he was almost diminutive
five feet four at the most. with a
cleanly-shayen boyish and chubby
face: In age he might have been any
where from twenty-five to forty. 1t
required second glance and perhaps
third TO detect the square chin and
the quiet, steely gray eyes that gave
the otherwise youthful countenance
and the mans whole personality an
air Of quiet determination and force.
But although his glances to right
mad left were apparently careless,
nothing escaped his ken; In reality
he was the accredited representative
Of the most powerful and celebrated
inquiry agency In the world.
Past the treasury and the White
House slowly sauntered our little
friend, swinging his cane nonchalant.
ly. Entering the ornate renaissance
and mancarded building Of the state
department. he ascended by tn" eleva.
tor To the imposing suite occupied by
the secretary OF state.
To the colored, uniformed "messen.
ger" In the outer office he handed an
Immediately engraved visiting card
bearing the words, "Mr Percy Nagel,"
adding two whispered words, From
Bulliyants.'
The card was Immediately passed
along TO Mr.. Deputy This, Mr.. Under
Secretary That, and various other un-
derlings. until It reached the hands
Of the secretary's secretary himself
While Mr.. Nagel is cooling his heels
in the outermost room OF all, let us
inquire what was the magic shibbO-
lcth In those two whispered words.
From Bullivants," which advanced
the pasteboard credential through so
many barriers while twoscore other
callers waited for an audience.
Rulliyants, Limited. to give its full
name. was the official title OF the most
wonderful and effective secret inves.
tigating agency in Europe and Ameri'
Ca They maintained Offices or
branches In most of the principal
cities: their sources OF information
were as marvellous as they were ap'
parcntly unlimited; they were served
By an army OF discreet representatives
who in appearance, manners. and
methods were as far removed from
those Of the ordinary detective as the
equator Is distant from the poles.
Add to this that Bullivants grudged
neither time nor expense: that they
stunned and even deprecated pub.
llcity. that they were generally mark
pdly successful where every one else
had failed; and that no case was too
hopeless or too impossible for them
to tackle and you have faint idea
OF the reputation enjoyed by BULL.
wants, Limited, among the worlds
elect
In surprisingly short time word
filtered through various jaCks.in-oiliCe
that Mr.. Secretary would see Mr..
Nagel forthwith. With airy noncha.
lance the visitor followed his guide
until he came TO the large and lofty
sumptuously furnished apartment,
half Office, half reception room, pre-.
sided over by the then foremost diplo,
MAJ in America
That gentleman's distrust had been
reused by the manner Of Nagers en-.
trance, but when he cast his eyes on
the rather boyish,lOoking exquisite
who dropped uninyited into leather
chair at the secretarial elbow, the
cabinet officers disgust, though well,
bred, was perfectly patent, His prl'
vatc thoughts ran thus:
What egregious nonsense TO send
INC manikin like that! Must be
some mistake," Then aloud:
Pardon me. Are you Mr. Nagel?
Mr.. Percy Nagel?'
That Is correct. Mr.. Secretary
was the quiet reply.
From"
"Bullivant's Limited, In the matter
Of"
The great man-who was very
great man, indeed-raised his hand
imperiously for silence.
We'll come to that presently, Mr.
-er-Nagel Are you sure there IL
no mistaken"
In what respect" inquired the III
tie man, with q shrcwd twinkle In
his cool gray eyes and just the sus
picion Of a dimple showing In his
smooth chin.
"Why-er-." began the head OF the
state department, clearing his throa,
to gain time. q rather thought-er-
that-er-you know"