Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-15
CHAPTER I.


The Owner Of New York.
Percy Darrow, a young man OF scien-
tific training, indolent manners, eff
Terminate appearance, hidden energy,
and absolute courage, lounged through
the doors Of the Atlas building. Since
his rescue from the volcanic island
that had witnessed the piratical MUIR
der of his old employer, Doctor scher-
merhorn, the spectacular dissolution
Of the murderers, and his own I'M
prisonment In cave beneath the very
roar of an eruption, he had been
nursing his shattered nerves back to
their normal strength. Now he felt
that at last he was able to 60 to work
again. Therefore, he was about to ap'
proach a man Of influence among
practical scientists, from whom ne
hoped further occupation.
AS the express elevator shot up
ward, he passed long slender hand
across his eyes. The rapid motion con-
fused him STILL The car stopped, and
the metallic gates changed open. OAR
row obediently stepped forth. Only
when the elevator had disappeared dld
his upward glance bring to him the
knowledge that he had disembarKed
one floor too soon.
Darrow's eye fell on lettered sign
outside the nearest door. He smiled
slow, red-lipped smile beneath his
small, silky mustache, dropped his
black eyelashes in flicker OF
"Reminiscences, hesitated a moment,
then stepped languidly forward and
opened the door. The sign indicated
the headquarters of the very modest
commissionership behind which NC
Carthy chose to work. Mccarthy, quite
simply, at that time owned New YORK.
AS barrow entered, Mccarthy hung
I'D the telephone receiver with q
smash, and sat glazing at the 1nstru-
ment. After moment he turned MS
small bright eyes toward the new
conner.
Hello, Perc," he growled. Didn't
see YOU, Say, I'm so mad my skin
cracks. Just now some measly little
shrimp called me up from pupnc
booth. What We suppose he wanted,
now? Oh, nothin'! Just told me IN so
many words for me to pack up my III.
tie trunk and sail for Europe ana
never come back. That's all! He give
me until Sunday, too" MCCARTHY
barked out short laugh, and reached
for the cigar box, which he held out
to barrow.
Percy shook his head. whats the
OCCASION, he asked. F.,
"Oh, I don't know. Just bughouse'
guess ;,
$50 he, wants you to go to Europe?'
wants me? orders me! Says got
to-" Mccarthy laughed. Lovely
thought"
He pulled out cloud Of smoke. :.
"says II I don't obey orders he'll
send me sign to convince me-
went on the boss. Hes got mean
voice, He ought to have a tag hung
on him and get carried to the morgue.
He gave me the shivers, like dead
man. I never hear such unholy thing
outside graveyard at midnignt!
Percy Darrow was surveying MIN
with leisurely amusement, a sngnt
smile playing over his narrow dark
face. -.
"Talking to get back your nerve ne
surmised cheerfully to the usually taci'
turn boss. "I'd like to know what 1t
was got you going SO; it isn't much
your STYLE"
well. you got yours with you,
growled Mccarthy, shifting for the
first time from his solid attitude OF
the bulldog at bay.
"His Sign he promised is apt to be
bomb" observed Darrow.
"He's nutty. all right Mccarthy
agreed. "but when he said that, he was
doing the tall religious. He's got bug
that way"
"Your affair."" said barrow. Gust
the same, I'd have an outer office
"Outer office-rot!" said the boss
IAN outer office just gets cluttered up
with people waiting. Here they've got
to say it right out in meeting-f
want 'em to. What's the good word
Perc? What can l do for your"
barrow smiled. "You know very we'll
nv fat friend. that the only reason you
like me at all is that I'm the one and
onlv man who comes into this office
who doesn't want one single thing OF
you" ,..r.~
~ suppose that's it," agreed Nc
Carthy. The telephone rang. He
snatched down the receiver, listened
moment, anu CIlIuoI AOI Woiu AA1
heavy jowl Not on your life!" he
growled in answer to some question
While he was still occupied with the
receiver, Percy Darrow nodded and
sauntered out. ... '.
CHAPTER II.
The Shadow Of Mystery.
barrow walked up the one flight OF
steps to the story above. He found his
acquaintance in, and at once preached
promised the matter his attention. The
two men then embarked on long dis
cussion of Professor Schermerhorn's
discovery of super-radium, and the
strange series Of events that had en-
the subject OF his errand. Doctor Knox
promised the matter his attention. The
two men then embarked on long dis
cussion OF Professor Schermerhorn's
discovery Of super-radium, and the
strange series of events that had en-
comprised his death. Into the midst
of the discussion burst Mccarthy, his
face red with suppressed anger.
"Can use your phone" he
growled. ooh, yes" said he, as he
caught sight of the instrument! With
out awaiting the requested permission
= {to hnNE