Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-21

face was very pale as he took his seat
but in reply to Cargan's question ne
remarked that he must have been mis-
taken.
1T was the wind, I guess he said
The mayor made facetious comment
on Mr.. BANDS "skittishness,' and Mr.
Max also INDUCED in q gibe or two
These the haberdasher met with a wan
smile. So the dinner came to an end
and the guests of Baldpate sat about
while Mr.. Peters removed all traces oil
it from the table. Mr.. Magee sought
to talk to Miss Norton, but found her
nervous and distract.
Has Mr. Bland frightened your" he
asked.
She shook her head. II have other
things to think Of" she replied.
Mr.. Peters shortly babe the company
good-by for the night. with the warmly
expressed hope in Mr.. Magee's ear that
there would be no further additions
to the circle in the near future. When
he had started off through the snow
for his shack, Mr.. Cargan took out his
watch
you've been pretty kind to us poor
wanderers already" he said 81 got
one more favor to ask. I come up here
to see Mr. Bland. We got some bust
ness to transact, and we'd consider it
a great kindness if you was to leave us
alone here in the Office"
Mr. Magee hesitated. He saw the
girl nod her head slightly, and move
toward the stairs.
"Certainly, if you wish,' he said. II
hope you won't 60 without saying
good-by Mr.. Cargan."
THAT all depends replied the
mayor. I've enjoyed knowing you,
one and all. Good night"
The women, the professor and Mr.
Magee moved up the broad stairway
On the landing Mr.. Magee heard the
voice of Mrs. Norton, somewhere in the
darkness ahead
"I'm worried, dearie-real worried
Plush" came the girls voice. "Mr.
Magee-well meet aeain-soon."
Mr.. Magee seized the professors
arm. and together they stood in the
shadows
~ don't like the looks of ,thin~s,"
came Rland'e hoorse complaint from
below. "What time is it,"
"Seven-thir+v;" Cargan answered.
"a good half-hour yet"
There was somebody on the second
foor when I went up." Bland con-
tinued. 81 saw him run into one of
the rooms and lock the door"
"I've got charge now" the mayor
treasured him, "don't you worry"
"There's something doing" This
seemed to be Max's voice.
"There sure is" laughed Cargan.
"But what do I care? I own young
Dravton. put him where he is. !
amt afraid. Let them gumshoe round
as much as they amt to. They can't
touch me"
"Mavbe not" said Bland. "But
Baldpate Inn amt the grand idea 1t
looked at first. is it ?"
cts a hell Of an idea" answered
Cargan. "There wasn't any need of
all this fo'darol I told Hayden so.
Does that nh one ring?"
. "No--it'll just fash light, when
they want u.s." Bland told him. E
Mr. Magee and Professor Bolton
continued softly up the stairs and in
answer to the formers invitation, the
old man entered number seven and
took chair by the fire.
"It is an amazing tangle," he re-
marked. "in which we are involved. I
have no idea what your place is in the
scheme Of things up here. But l as
sumo you grasp what is going on, If
I do not. / am not so keen of wit
as I once was"
IF you think" answered Mr.. Ma
gee. proffering a cigar, that l am in
on this little game of Who's Who
then you are vastly mistaken. AS
matter of fact, I am as much in the
dark as you are"
The professor smiled.
Indeed" he said in tone that
showed his unbelief. Indeed" .
He was deep in a discussion of the
meters Of the poet Chaucer when there
came knock at the door. and Mr.. Lou
Max's unpleasant head was thrust in
side.
81 been assigned."' he said. 'to sit
up here in the hall and, keep an eye
out for the ghost Bland heard tramp
ing about And being of sociable
nature, I'd like TO sit in your doorway,
II you don't mind"
"By all means" replied Magee.
Here's a chair. Do you smoker"
Thanks" Mr.. Max placed the
chair sidewise in the doorway Of nun.
Der seven. and sat down. From his
place he commanded view of Mr.. Ma
gees apartments and of the head of
the head Of the stairs. With his yell
low teeth he viciously bit the end from
the cigar Don't let me interrupt the
conversation, gentlemen" he pleaded.
1--WE were speaking" said the prof
essor calmly. "of the versifcation of
Chaucer. Mr.. Magee--''
He continued his discussion in an
even voice Mr.. Magee leaned back in
his chair and smiled in pleased way
at the settings Of the stage: Mr.. Max
in a cloud Of smoke on guard at his
door; the mayor and Mr.. Bland keep
ing vigil by telephone switchboard in
the Office below, watching for the
flash of light that should tell them
some one in the outside world wanted
to speak to Baldpate Inn; mysterious
figure who fitted about in the dark;
a beautiful girl who was going to ask
Mr.. Magee to do her service, blind
ly trusting her.