The Brandon news., 1911-08-10

W CdII LIS ClClh III du0
receive his report This proved to be
a tolerably lengthy session, for the
clerk, whose name appeared to be
Frank, demonstrated his command of
a surprising memory. Without notes
he enumerated the callers at the Of
Labertouche had left for the Mofussil
with his specimen box and the rest
of his bug-hunting paraphernalia; nam
ing those known to his employer,
minutely describing all others. even
repeating their words with aim ost
Photographic fidelity.
Labertouche listened intently, with
out interrupting, abstractedly tapping
his desk with paper-cutter. At the
end he said Thank you," with dry,
GRAFTON of his letters. These seemed
to interest him little; one after the
other he gave to his clerk, saying:
File that" or Answer that so-and-
thusly." Two he set aside for his
personal disposition, and these he
JOOh uP again olICl LnC SiOA N Ae%0
been dismissed. The first he read
and reconsidered for long time;
then crumpled it up and, drawing to
him a small tray of hammered brass,
dropped the wadded paper upon 1t
and touched a match to it, thoughtful-
ly poking the blazing sheets with his
paper-cutter until they were altogeth-
er reduced to ashes.
Quain's was the second letter. Hav-
ing merely glanced at the heading and
signature, Labertouche had reserved
the rather formidable document-for
Quain had written fully-as probably
of scant Importance, to be dealt with
at 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 second
time with much deliberation and fre-
quent pauses, apparently memorizing
portions Of it's contents. Finally he
said, "Hum-mi" inscrutably and rang
for Frank
"He left New York by the Lusitania,
eh7" said Mr.. Labertouche aloud. The
clerk entering interrupted his solilo-
guy Bring me, please he said,
Bradshaw, the News-and the latest
P. G O.. schedule" And when Frank
had returned with the articles, he
desired him to go 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
l shall probably not be at the Office
again for several days"
"Insects?" enquired the clerk
Insects" affirmed Mr.. Labertouche
gravely.
I'm the Mofussil?"
There or thereabouts, Frank"
"Yes, sir. l presume you don't feel
the need of capable assistant YETI"
mot yet, Frank" said Labertouche
kindly BE 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 made of Quain's
letter second burnt offering to pre-
Judice upon the tray of hammered
brass
This matter attended to, he lost
himself In Bradshaw and the PENN
sular & Oriental Steamship company's
list OF sailings; from which he de-
rived enlightenment. He was to come
direct" mused Labertouche In that
case he'll have waited over 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 it's 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.
J. udt y SHUT uOl1C0, uc SdlQ.
Lucky I got back today--uncommon
lucky! Still I may be mis-
taken" But the surmise failed to
comfort him
He drew 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 stairwayH, one
descending to Dhurrumtollah street.
the other to side street little better
than an alley. It may be considered
significant that, whereas Labertouche
himself was not seen either to enter
,r 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