New Ulm review., 1913-10-01
what the devil is it you want me to


dor
do appear to be agitated?'
"Well, should say So"
"Well, am. You know how loath
asking favor Of any one. Besides, it's
rather an extraordinary one I'm going
to ask Of you. Came to me in fash
this morning when saw your name in
the paper. Sort of inspiration, pom my
word. think Edith sees 1t the same az
1,although haven't had time to 60 into
it thoroughly with her. She's ripping.
you know-pluck to the very core"
Brooks face expressed bewiderment
and perplexity.
Wont you have another drink. old
man?' he asked gently.
Another? Hang 1t all, I haven't had
one In week! Come along. must
talk it all over with you before I in
troduce you to her. You must be pre-
pared
Introduce me to whomY demanded
Brock, pricking up his ears. He was
following Medcroft to the elevator.
ITO my wife Edith said Medcroft
annoyed BY the Others obtuseness.
"Does It require preparation for an
ordeal 30 charming2n laughed Brock.
He was recalling the fact that Med
croft had married beautiful Phila-
delphia girl some years ago in London.
a young lady whom be had never seen.
80 thoroughly expatriated had she be-
come in consequence Of almost a life
time residence in England. He re-
membered now that she was rich and
that he had sent her ridiculously ex-
pensive present and congratulatOry
cablegram at the time Of the wedding.
The Londoner did not respond to the
innocuous query. He merely stared in
a preoccupied. determined manner at
the succeeding etages as they slipped
downward. At the fourth floor they
disem barked, and Brock led the way
to his rooms, overlooking the inner
court. Once inside with the door clos
ed he turned upon the Englishman.
'Now. what's up. Rox? Are you in
tr0uble2" he demanded
"Are we quite alone?'' Medcroft
glanced significantly at the transom
and the half closed bathroom door
With a laugh Brock led him into the
bathroom and out and then closed the
transom.
''You're darned mysterious" he said,
pointing to chair near the window.
Medcroft drew another close up and
seated himself.
Brock" he said, lowering his voice
and leaning forward impressively, II
want you to 60 to Vienna in my place."
Brock stared hard. "YOu are q god
send, old man. You're Just In time to
do me the greatest Of favors. It's ut
terly impossible for me to go to Vienna
as had planned, and yet it is equally
unwise for me to give up the project
You see, I've just got to be in London
and Vienna at the same time"
1T will require something more than
a stretch of the Imagination to do that
old man. But I'm game, and my plans
are such that they can be changed
readily to oblige friend. l shan't
mind the trip in the least, and I'll be
only too happy to help you out. Cad!
thought by your manner that you
were in some frightful difficulty"
"By Jove, Brock. you're brick!"
cried Medcroft, shaking the others
hand vigorously. At the same time
his face expressed considerable uncer-
tainty and no little doubt as to the
future welfare of his as yet partially
proposition.
"It's easy to be brick, my boy, II
It involves no more than the changing
Of a single letter in ones name. I'd
like to attend the convention anyway"
said Brock amiably.
"Well, you see, Brock" said Medcroft
lamely, 81 fear you don't quite appre-
ciate the situation want you to pose
as Roxbury Medcroft"
"You- What do you mean?'
II thought you'd find that facer. |
That's just it. You are to 60 to Vienna
as Roxbury Mederoft, not as yourself
Ha, ha! Ripping. eh?'
earnest?"
"Never more so"
"But, my dear fellow
"You won't do it? That's what your
tone MEANS" in despair
1T isn't that, and you know it. I've
got nothing to lose It's you that will
have to suffer You're known all over
Europe What will be said when the
trick is discovered? Cad. manr'
"Then you will go?" with beaming
eyes. 4 knew it would appeal to you
as an American"
"What does It all meanT'
ITS all very simple. II one looks at
It from the right angle. Brock. Up to
last night ! was blissfully committed
to the most delightful of outings. so to
speak. At 10 O'Clock everything was