The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-01-04
Is JOSEPH VANCE
! Ut 6,,o T1E BRASS BOWL" ETC.

CocS VI opening and reading a ten
days accumulation of correspondence.
an occupation which he suspended
temporarily to call his clerk in and
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
fee day by day from the time when
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.
infinitely describing all others. even
repeating their words with almost
Photographic fidelity.
Labertouche listened intently, with
out interrupting. abstractedly tapping
his desk with paper-cutter. At the
end he said Thank you," with a dry,
| preoccupied air; and resumed consid-
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
took up again after the clerk had
been dismissed. The first he read
and reconsidered for a long time;
then crumpled it up and, drawing to
him small tray of hammered brass,
dropped the wadded paper upon it
and touched a match to it, thoughtful
ly poking the blazing sheets with his
paper-cutter until they were altogeth-
er reduced to ashes. 49,
Quain's was the second letter. Hav-
ing merely glanced at the heading and
signature, Labertouche had reserved
the rather formidable document-for
GUAM 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 a second
time with much elaboration and fire.
quent pauses, apparently memorizing
portions of its contents. Finally he
said, "Hum-m!" inscrutably and rang
for Frank.
He left New York by the Lusitania
eh?" said Mr.. Labertouche aloud. The
clerk entering interrupted his solilo-
guy. Bring me, please" he said,
Bradshaw, the News-and the latest
P. & 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 :.
1 shall probably not be at the office
again for several days"
"Insects?" enquired the clerk.
insects" affirmed Mr.. Labertouche
gravely.
In the Mofussil?"
There or thereabouts, Frank"
Yes. sir. presume you don't feel
the need Of capable assistant YETI"
Not 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 Ouain's
letter a second burnt Offering to pre-
JUDGE upon the tray of hammered
brass.
This matter attended to, he lost |
in Bradshaw and the PENN.
sular & Oriental Steamship company's
list OF sailings; from which he de-
rived enlightenment. HE was to come
direct" unused Labertouche. I'm that
case he'll have waited over in Lon
don for the Poonah." He turned tn
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 Dav"
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 I may be mis-.
taken" But the surmise failed to
comfort him.
He drew sheet of paper on which
here was no letter head to him and
began to write, composing deliberate.
y and with great care.
The building in which his Offices
we're located -steed--azsoh a coit.er: at
either end of the tug corrmor on the
upper floor, upon which tffs, variou.
'ffices opened. were stairways. one
descending to Dhurrumtollah street
he other to side street little better
han an alley. 1t may be considered
1gn1f1cant that, whereas LabertoncbeLi
himself was not seen either to enrer
n to leave the building at any time
hat day. an Attit mendicant did enter
rom Dhurrumtollah street shortly
fter Frank had gone to lunch-and
disappeared forthwith; while, in the ,
nV0nin0 eli, |