The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29

four o'clock. He asked for Mr.. Prince
and was shown up. Ellen was pour
ing tea, and received him with a well
come smile. He gave an account Of
the afternoons quest. Napoleon mere
ly nodded, with no surprise
Have cup of tea," he said, "and
then go to No. "a, Ludgate Circus,
to the office OF Messrs. Fowler and
Fowler, and see If they will take up
the case against your housekeeper.
They won't close till six. Call to-
morrow for lunch, and tell me the re-
suit"
Five o'clock found Luck at No. "a,
Ludgate Circus. 1t was a block of
business premises. The plates at the
doorway showed that the Office of
Messrs. Fowler and Fowler was on
the third floor. Luck mounted. A
particularly foolish looking young
clerk opened to him, and went to see
If Mr.. Fowler was at liberty to see
him. There appeared to be no other
clerks.
"Show the gentleman in. Peas
wood" said q voice from the inner
room, and Luck was ushered in to the
presence of one of the heads of the
firm. A very tall, thin, wooden-faced
man received him.
What can / do for you, Mr.. Luck?'
he asked, reading from his visitors
card, when he had indicated chair.
Mr.. Luck gave him the tale of the
Negligent Housekeeper.
You certainly have a case" said
the wooden-faced man, consideringly.
"a very very strong case indeed. In
fact it is one of those certain cases
peculiarly dear to my professional
heart" He laughed at this, so Luck
laughed too, and they became exceed
ingly amfable together. But the fact
is, I'm afraid l daren't undertake it.
1t naturally goes against the grain
to send you away, but / have no
choice. I'm chockfull of work here
over full, trimming over. These are
temporary premises only, and my
present staff is temporary only. Let
me explain to you'll don't see why
you shouldn't be told how matters
stand. We're very old country firm
with a sound practice, and we're feel
ing our way to the establishment of g
London branch. Always move, grow
plant. multiply-that's our motto
And a good one it is-eh?"
"Deuced excellent" replied hi.
much interested visitor.
We'll" continued Mr.. Fowler, ''tht
venture is exceeding our utmost ex
!, pectations. Business has fairly rushed
in to such extent that I can't manage
II alone. l wrote down to n!
brothers yesterday-only yesteday i
, was-and / said: Find me some gooC
: smart clerks, for l haven't time; ant
) one Of you must come up and join me
| must have George up George i
, my youngest brother. AS it is, In
{ working at tremendous pressure jus
= now. I couldn't do you justice. 0
} course if were one of those fellow
! who are all for grab. grab, I'd take i
: and run it through somehow, just t
= get a fee from you I shouldn't car
e morally about winning But I'm no
z that sort. No, sir! So I reluctant
4 say / must decline. You understan
r. perfectly, l hope?"
: Absolutely" replied Luck unblust
: ingly.
d with many regrets, goodbye" sal
l. Mr. Fowler.
t. Johnnie Luck, having spare cas-
d burning in his pockets, did himsel
z, exceedingly well that night. He dine
d in Piccadilly. at Maxim's. He took
g stall at problem play. found it dull
d and left 1t for a music hail. Had sur
per at the Carlton, and so. merry. {
d bed, to sleep the sound sleep that fal
eth alike on the just and the unjust
:. 81 will give you" Napoleon bega
after lunch the following mornin:
(, IAN outline of explanation to the a