Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-28

| MIR Cargan.' he laughed. you re :;
prince" He noted with interest that
| the mayors broad shoes were mighty
near 100000.
While Mr. Magee drew on his clothes
| the mayor and Max sat thoughtfully
before the fire, the former with his
! pudgy hands folded over the vast ex-
panse where no breakfast reposed. Mr..
| Magee explained to them that the
holder of the sixth key had arrived.
"A handsome young lady," he re-
marked. Her name is Myra Thorn
| hill"
"Old Henry Thornhilrs daughter"
reflected the mayor We'll, seems I've
sort OF lost the habit of being sur
prised now. l tell you, Lou, we're
breaking into the orchid division up
here"
While Mr.. Magee shaved-in ice cold
water. another black mark against the
hermit of Baldpate-he turned over in
his mind the events of the night be-
fore
He was ready to descend at last and
came into the parlor of his suit with
greatcoat and hat. In reply to Mr..
Cargan's unasked question. he said:
I'm going up the mountain present
~ to reason with our striking cook"
You amt going to leave this inn,
Magee." said the mayor.
Not even to bring back a cook!
Come. Mr.. Cargan. be reasonable. You
may go with me if you suspect my
motives"
They went out into the hall and Mr.
fhn 70
the farther end. where he raped on
the door of Miss Thornhilrs room. She
appeared almost Immediately, buried
beneath furs and wraps.
You must be nearly Frozen" re-
marked Mr.. Magee pityingly. You
and your maid come down to the of
fee l want you TO meet the other
guests
''I'lI come she replied Mr.. Ma
gee. I've confession to make. 1 in
vented the maid. 1t seemed so hor-
ridly unconventional and shocking|l
couldn't admit that was alone That
was why / wouldn't let you build a
fire for me-"
Don't worry" smiled Magee. You'll
find we have all the conveniences up
here. I'll present You to a chaperon
shortly-a Mrs. Norton, who is here
with her daughter. Allow me to in
troduce Mr.. Cargan and Mr. Max"
The girl bowed with rather star |
tied air. and Mr.. Cargan mumbled |
something that had pleasure in it. |
In the Office they found Professor Boil |
ton and Mr.. Bland sitting gloomily |
before the fireplace
Got the news. Magee?' asked the |
Peters has done a dis
appearing act"
1t was evident to Magee that every
body looked upon Peters as his crea-
ture and laid the hermit's sins at his
door. He laughed.
I'm going TO head search party
he said Don't detect the
odor of coffee in the distanceT'
Mrs. Norton" remarked Professor
Bolton dolefully, has kindly consent
ed to do what she can"
The girl OF the station came through
The dining room door. 1t was evident
she had no share in the general gloom
hat the hermit's absence cast over
8aldpate. Her eyes were bright with
he glories of morning on mountain.
IN their depths there was no room
or petty annoyances.
Good morning." she said to Mr.. Ma
rec. Isn't it bracing? Have you
'een outside? Oh. r.
"Miss Norton-Miss Thoruhill." ex-
'lained Magee. Miss Thornhill has
he sixth key. you know. She came
asst night without any OF Us know
ng."
With lukewarm smiles. the two girls
hook hands. Outwardly the glancee
hey exchanged Were nonchaiant anc
usual, but somehow Mr.. Nagee felt
hat among the matters they establish