Gilpin observer., 1912-08-01
CHAPTER XVI,
An Inscription and a Mystery.

An Inscription and a Mystery.
Billings rubbed his chin perplexed-
ly. by 1igger, now, wonder what
tnose hen tracks mean?" he uttered
musingly. Then he looked up at me
Win sudden animation in his face.
Look here, Dicky." he exclaimed,
do you happen to know Dozen
berry?"
l tried to remember. l shut one
eye and studied the marks closely
through my glass, but had to shake
my head at last.
why, man, he's a member OF all
the great societies of the world. Got
string OF letters after his name like
universal keyboard, and is the main
squeeze, the great scream, among all
the scientific push over here and in
europe. Lots of dough, but of his
trolley with learning"
And in this building?" l said won
deringly. What's he like?"
"Awfully large head" said Billings,
elevating his hands some two feet
apart, "pear-shaped affair-big end
up-bumps on 1t like halves Of grape
fruit, porcupine eyebrows, and"
oh. know" said, nodding eager
iy; and little, shriveled-welI, kind
OF mashed sort OF face, eyes beadlike
and jolly small. I've got him now!
I've gone down with him in the eIe-
vator."
Billings nodded. You've got him
painted" he said drily. That's the
professor; only. his eyes are anything
but jolly I've ridden in the elevator
with him myself. Always manages to
look like he was travelling with a bad
SMELL"
"Devilish sensitive. l dare say"
Billings looked at me suspiciousIy,
but had got hold OF the thing l was
trying to recollect and l went on
quickly:
by Jove, you know, 1 believe Jen-
kins knows his man-fellow who but
lers, and, I believe, cooks, for him.
He and jenkins belong to the same
how do they call it?-same club Of
gentlemen's gentlemen"
Billings brought his fst down.
Lets have Jenkins in," he suggested.
And We did.
Il say. Jenkins" began. this Pro
fessor Doodlebug above US"
"Doozenberryl" Billings sharply
corrected.
We'll. some jolly rum thing about
him, don't you know, Jenkins-some-
thing you. said his man told you're
member, eh7"
why. sir. he told me that every
night he had to turn down the perfes-
ser's bed and go all over It with Q
two-gallon watering can"
Watering cant" gasped Billings.
I'm telling you what he says. sir.
Then he covers It all up again. and in
about half-hour the perfesser turns
the covers down; and II it's what he
calls 'fine'-that is, damp all over-he
climbs In and sleeps like Q top"
"Cold-water bug. you know" l ex-
planned, but Billings shrugged his
shoulders.
That's all right. Bug or not, he's
the goods, all the same. Greatest
ever" He spoke with quiet convic.
ton.
ne ueuDeTateu moiueut huu
turned to me.
Tell you what. Dicky: I'm going up
and ask him down. He's the one to
give US the right dope on these crazy
lstters-Eh. what you say. Jenkins!'
beg pardon. sir; was saying that
the perfesser don't visit nobody; and
he never sees nobody but the big lit'ry
and scientific sharps."
"Oh, he don't, eh?" Billings snorted
contem ptuously. well. Jenkins.
haven't been prize fisherman in my
time for nothing: I guess I know how
to select my ny know what viii
fetch him: 'Mr. Lightnut's compli
ments. and will he be pleased to hon
or him by passing upon an Oriental
curio Of rare scientific interestf-
that sort Of merry rot! Why. yor
couldn't hold him back with bloch
and tackle. Oh, you needn't worry;
I'll do the proper curves all right
He turned toward tho door. And
jenkins, you como along and work nj
into the lodge"
rnO AN CO1fTTMUHDS