Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-09-18

what the devil is it you want me to
do?"
"Do 1 appear to be agitated"
well. l should say So"
well, I am. You know how l loatb
asking a favor of any one. Besides, it's
rather an extraordinary one I'm going
to ask Of you. Came to me in a flash
this morning when 1 saw your name in
the paper. Sort Of inspiration. 'pon my
word. I think Edith sees it the same as
1, although l haven't had time to go into
it thoroughly with her. She's ripping.
you know-pluck to the very core"
Brooks face expressed bewilderment
and perplexity.
Wont you have another drink. old
MANI" he asked gently.
Another? Hang it all. 1 haven't had
one in a week. Come along. l must
talk it all over with you before l in
troduce you to her. You must be pre-
pared"
Introduce me to whom?' demanded
Brock. pricking up his ears. He was
following Medcroft to the elevator.
ITO my wife-Edith." said Medcroft,
annoyed by the others o~btuseness.
Does it require preparation for an
ordeal so charming?" laughed Brock.
He was recalling the fact that Med
croft had married a beautiful Phila-
delphia girl some years ago in London.
a young lady whom he had never seen.
so thoroughly expatriated had she be-
come in consequence Of almost a life.
time residence in England. He re-
membered nov that she was rich and
that he had sent her a ridiculously ex-
pensive present and a 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
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 a laugh Brock led him into the
bathroom and out and then closed the
transom.
you're darned mysterious" he said.
pointing to a chair near the window.
Medcroft drew another close up and
seated himself:
Brock" he said, lowering his voice
and leaning forward impressively, 81
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 I 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"
"It 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 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 a 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.
tits easy to be a brick, my boy, If
it involves no more than the changing
Of a single letter in ones name. I'd
said Brock amiably.
We'll. you see. Brock" said Medcroft
lamely. II fear you don't quite appre-
ciate the situation. want you to pose
as Roxbury Medcroft" al.
you What do you mean"
IT thought you'd find that a facer.
That's just it. 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.
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. mani"
''Then you will go?" with beaming
eyes II knew 1t would appeal to you
MS an American"
what does 1t all mean?"
Its all very simple. If n looks at
1t from the right angle. Brock. Up to
last night was bllssfully committed
to the most delightful Of outings, 10 to
speak At 10 o'clock everything was