Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-05-01

SET off at once for Pcpperton'S
office, where | learned that the
architect was out of town. But
his chief clerk greeted me cour-
teously. | told him frankly that |
wanted to look at the plans of Hope
field Manor to enable me to learn the
exact lines of the chimneys. he Son-
fessed surprise that they We're causing
trouble and expressed regret that they
We're not in the office.
Miss HOLSTER sent for them this
morning. and | have just given them
to young woman who bore note
from her
l was taken aback TO find that she
had anticipated me in my rush for the
plans of the house Clearly l was
dealing with Il woman who was not
only immensely amusing, but exceed
ingly shrewd us well. Could it be pos
sible after all that She was herself
playing ghost merely for her own en-
tertainment: She was capable of it.
But | had satisfied myself that she
could not have performed the tricks of
which l had been the victim the night
previous unless she possessed some
rare vanishing power like that of the
East Indian mystics.
May l ask who came for the
pans?"
Il judged the young woman to be a
maid, or perhaps she was Miss Hollis
ter'S secretary
l had given little heed during my
short stay ut Hopetield Manor to Miss
HOLSTERS personal attendant. l had
passed her in the halls once or twice,
young woman of twenty-five. should
say, fair haired and blue eyed. She
might herself be the ghost now that
thought Of it. But this seemed The
most unlikely hypothesis possible.
At my own Office LILY assistant pOunc-
ed upon ME wrathfully. He was half
wild over the pressure of veXatious
business and had just been engaging
in long distance conversation with a
country gentleman at LenoX which
had left him in bad temper | was ex-
planning to him the seriousness of my
errands at Hopefed. rather uncon-
vincingly, | fear, and the fact that |
must return at once when the office
boy entered my private room to say
that three gentlemen wished to see me
Immediately. They had submitted
cards. but had refused to state the ma
ture of their business 1t was with Il
distinct sensation of surprise that |
read the names respectively of Percival
b. Shallenberger, Daniel F. Ormsby
and John Stewart Dick.
SHOW the gentlemen in," | said
promptly, greatly to the disgust of my
assistant who retired to deal with
several clients whom | had passed in
the reception room tiercely walking the
floor
had imagined all the suitors estab-
ished at the Prescott Arms AS the
three appeared clad in light automobile
ing coats | could not forbear smile
at their grim appearance Shallen-
berger, the novelist. and Ormsby, the
knit goods manufacturer. were big
men. Dick, the Nebraska philosopher
was much shorter though of compact
and sturdy build. They growled surliiy
in response TO my greeting. and OrmS-
by closed the door behind them Dick
seemed to be the designated spokes-
man. and he advanced to the desk be
hind which | sat with a stride and
manner that advertised his belligerent
frame Of mind
Mr. Ames," he began. I'VE have
come here 10 speak for ourselves and
certain other gentlemen who are stay
ing for a time at the Prescott Arms"
Gentlemen of the committee, vel
come to our Office l replied, greatly