Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-13
CHAPTER VI. (Continued.)

INJURED George, still skeptical.
"Prosaic times!" shifted Ryanne.
There's one of your brickbats. They
swung it at the head of the first
printer. Prosaic times, My friend, this
Is the most romantic and bewildering
age humanity has yet seen. There's
more romance and adventure going
about on wheels and steel-bottoms
than ever there was in the days Of
Drake and the Spanish galleons.
There's an adventure lurking round
the nearest corner - romance, too.
What this organization does is to d.
rect you; after that you have to shift
for yourself. But, like a first-rate
physical instructor, they never map
out more than man can do. They
gave me the rug. Your bones, on such
a quest, would be bleaching upon the
banks Of the Tigris."
What the deuce is this company
called?" George was enjoying the con-
versation immensely.
1.-The United Romance and Adven.
ture Co, Ltd, Of London, Paris and
New York" ~"
Have, you any Of the company's
paper with you " George repressed
his laughter because Ryanne's face
was serious enough. e.. * l',-..
Unfortunately, mo-. But if you will
give me your bankers address I'll be
pleased to forward you the prospec-
tus." -, ~ ..... 49,. f.
"Knauth, Nachod and Kuhne. ] am
shortly leaving for home. Better send
it to New York say. suppose chap
buys an adventure that is not up to
the mark; can he return 1t or ex-
change it for another?'
mo. It's all chance, you know. The
rules of the game are steel bound. We
find you an adventure; it's up to you
to make good
"But, once more, suppose CHAP
gets little too rough game. and
doesn't turn up for his dividends;
what them"
''In that event. answered Ryanne
sadly. the stock reverts to the gen
eral fund"
George lay back in his chair and let
so his laughter. you are mighty good
company, Mr.. Ryanne.'
"Well, we'll; we'll say nothing more
about it. But moment gone you spoke
as if you were game for an exploit"
81 still am But if knew the adven-
ture was prearranged, as you say. and
was up against wall. there would
be the inclination to cable the firm for
more Instructions
Ryanne himself laughed this time.
That's a good idea. don't believe the
company ever thought of such con-
tingency. But I repeat, our business is
to give you the kick off. After that you
have to fight for your own downs"
"The stock isn't listed?" again
laughing. 49,. 4
Scarcely. One man tells another, as
tell you, and so on ~
"You send me the prospectus. I'm
rather curious to have look at it,
II certainly shall do so,' replied
Ryanne, with gravity unassumed.
"Ah! Here come Mrs. Chedsoye and
her daughter. If you don't mind III
make myself scarce. do not care to
see them just now, after your having
told them about the stolen Yhiordes.'
I'm sorry said George, rising
eagerly. I'll 1.f,...
cts all in the game CALAMITY.
George saw him gracefully ma
neuver his way round the crush to-
ward the stairs leading to the bar.
Really, he would like to know more
about this amiable free-lance. AS the
old fellows used to say, he little
dreamed that destiny, one of those
things from Pandora's box, was pre-
pairing deeper and more intimate &C.
quaintance. ~
and what has been amusing you.
Mr.. Jones?' asked Mrs. Chedsoye. II
saw you laughing" ~. ... ~
81 was talking with the rug chap.
He's a droll fellow He said that he
had met you somewhere, but con-
cluded not to renew the acquaintance,
since I told him that his adventure in
part was known to you" '..s. -
THAT was foolish. rather enjoy
meeting men of his stamp. Don't you,
Fortune?'
Sometimes with a dry little smile.
Il believe we have met him, mother.
There was something familiar about
his head. OF course, we saw him only
from distance"