Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-09-17

come in consequence of almost life.
time residence in England. He re-
membered now that she was rich and
that he had sent her a 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
preoccupied, determined manner at
the succeeding etages as they slipped
downward. At the fourth floor they
! disembarked. 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
trouble?" he demanded
"Are we quite alone?' Medcroft
glanced significantly at the transom
and the half closed bathroom door
With 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 go to Vienna in my place"
Brock stared hard. You are a 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
unwfse for me to give up the project.
You see. I've just got to be in London
and Vienna at the same time.''
stretch Of the imagination to do that.
old man. But Pm game. and my plans
are such that they can be changed
readily to oblige a friend | shan't
mind the trip in the least. and I'll be
only too happy to help you out. Cad:
I 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
divulged proposition.
/ "It's easy to be brick, my boy, If
1t involves no more than the changing
Of single letter in ones name. I'd
like to attend the convention anyway"
said Brock amiably.
"Well, you see, Brock" said Medcroft
! lamely, II fear you don't quite appre.
, ciate the situation l want you to pose
/ as Roxbury Medcroft-"
| "You- What do you mean?'
II thought you'd find that facer
That's just 1t. You are to go to Vienna
as Roxbury Medcroft, not as yourself.
Ha, ha! Ripping. eh?'
"'Pon my soul, Rox, you are not in
earnest?"
"Never more So"
"But, my dear fellow
"You won't do it? That's what your
tone MEANS" in despair
ut 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. II knew it would appeal to you
as an American"
"What does it all mean?"
Its all very simple, If 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
changed Mrs. Medcroft and I sat up
all night discussing the situation with
| the messenger-my solicitor, by the
| way. The Vienna trip is out of the
question, so far us am concerned. 1t
Is of vital Importance that should re-
turn to London tonight. but it is even
more vitality important that the world
should say that l am in Vienna. See
! what mean?"
mo. I'm hanged If l do
"What have just heard from Lon
don makes me shudder to think Of the
consequences If 60 on east tonight
l may as we'll tell you that there is a
plot on foot to perpetrate a gigantic
fraud against the people. The county
council Is to be hoodwinked out and
out into moving forward certain build
ing projects, involving millions of the
peoples money. Our firm has opposed
a certain band Of grafters, and when
left England it was pretty well set
tied that we had blocked their game
They have learned of my proposed alb
sence and intend to steal march on
us while am away. Without assum-
ing too much credit to myself. may
say that l, your old friend. Roxbury,
I am the one man who has proved the
real thorn in the sides Of these scoun-
drels. With me out Of the way they
feel that they can secure the adoption
Of all these infamous measures. My
partners and the leaders on our side
have sent for me to return secretly.
They won't bring the matter to issue II
they find that I've returned. 1t would
be suicidal Therefore it is necessary
that we steal q march on 'em. know
the inside workings of the scheme
If can steal back and keep under
cover as an advisory chief, SO to speak.
we can well afford to let 'em rush the
matter through. for then we can spring
the coup and defeat them for good
and all. But, don't you see. old man.
unless they know that I've gone to
] Vienna they won't undertake the thing.
That's why I'm asking you to 60 on