Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-20

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 If
they find that I've returned. 1t would
be suicidal Therefore it is necessary
that we steal q march on 'em. I know
the inside workings of the scheme.
If can steal back and keep under
cover as an advisory chief, so to speak,
we can we'll 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 go on
to Vienna and pose as Roxbury Med
croft while steal back to London and
set the charge under these demmed
bloodsuckers. Really, you know, it's
a terribly serious matter, Brock. 1t
means fortune and honor TO me, as
well as millions to the rate payers Of
Greater London All you've got to do
is to register at the Bristol, get inter-
viewed by the papers. attend one or
two sessions of the convention, which
lasts three days. and then go off into
the mountains with the Rodneys. The
society reporters will do the rest"
with the Rodneys? My dear fellow.
suppose that they object to the SUBJ
stituion? Really, you know, it's not
to be thought Of"
deuce take it, man, the Rodneys
are not to know that there has been a
substitution. Perfectly simple, can't
you see"
I'm id if 1 dor
"What a stupid ass you are, Brock!
The Rodneys have never laid eyes on
me. They know of me as Edith's hus-
band, that's all. They are to take you
in as Medcroft, of course"
At this point Brock set up an en-
phatic remonstrance. He began by
laughing his friend to scorn; then, as
Medcroft persisted, went so far as to
take him severely to task for the pro-
posed imposition on the unsuspectins
Rodneys, to say nothing of the trick he
would play upon the convention of ar
chitects.
I'D be recognized as an impostor,"
he said warmly, land booted out Of the
convention. shudder to think of what
Mr.. Rodney will do to me when he
learns the truth. Why, Medcroft, you
must be crazy. There will be dozens
of architects there who know you per-
sonally or by sight. YOU
"My dear boy, if they don't see me
there they cant very well recognize
me, can they? If necessary you can
affect an illness and stay away from
the sessions altogether. Give a state.
ment to the press from the privacy of
the sickroom-regret your inability to
take part in the discussions and all
that, you know. Hire a nurse if neces-
sary. You might venture to express an
opinion or two on vital topics in my
name. l don't care hang what you
say. / only want 'em to think I'm
there. No doubt our enemies will have
spy or two hanging about to see that
| am actually off for jaunt with the
Rodneys, but they will be Viennese
and they won't know me from Adam
What's the odds, so long as Edith is
there to stand by you? If she's willing
to assume that you are her husband
Good Lord!' half shouted Brock
leaping to his feet, wide eyed. You
don't mean to say that she is-is-is tC
go 10 Vienna with me?"
"Emphatically yes. She's also invit.
ed. OF course she's going"
You mean that she's going just as
you are going-by proxy?" murmured
Brock helplessly.
Proxy, the devil! Pom my soul
Brock, you're downright stupid. Sh1
can't have proxy. They know her
| The Rodneys are in some way conpec
tons of hers, and all .that-third cou
sins. If she isn't there to vouch fol
you. how the deuce can You expect to-
"Medcroft, you are crazy! No one
but an insane man would submit his
wife to- Why, good Lord. man. think
of the sca@dal! She won't have a shred
! left
"At the proper time the matter viii
be explained to the Rodneys-not a
! first. you know-and I'll be in n posi-
! ton TO step into your shoes before the
/ party returns TO Paris. Afterward the
whole trick will be exposed to tht
/ world. and she'll be a heroine"
I'm absolutely paralyzedw mumblet
I Brock.
brace up. old chap. I'm going t.
take you around to the Ritz at once t.
/ introduce you to my wife-to your wife
l | might say. She'll be waiting for US
I and, take my word for Il, she's in fol-
| the game. She appreciates its impor
lance. Come now, Brock. II means 81
/ little TO you. and it means everything Il
! me. You will do this for me-for us?'
CHAPTER u.
Mrs. Mederoft.
TOR ten minutes Brock protested