Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-15

IOu oCCHCu " Dt III u Ehciiy ihS'
night to get away" said Algernon
What's the matter with your car:
Maybe can fix it,
"The Todds' chauffeur, eh?" laughed
Holmes and slapped him on the
shoulder.
Algernon flushed and felt a sinking
feeling at the pit of his stomach. How
could he keep his identity hidden now
that Mr.. Holmes had arrived in town?
In the country gossip is always on the
keen jump, and Holmes must know
already that Mrs. Tcdd had a new
chauffeur and that the chauffeur's
name was Holmes, Joseph Holmes. Al.
gernon could picture the surprise Of
the hotel-keepcr as his one guest
signed the register by the came name
as that OF the Todds' new chauffeur.
1t had been stul.d in him to choose
the name of any one he knew. though
he had done it on the spur CT the mo.
ment and it had never entered his head
that Mr. Holmes himself would ever
come up among the lonely hills and
dreary slowness Of North Drockton,
Holmes was in truth only passing
through on his way to Canada. He
would soon be gone. fortunately. but
meanwhile, Algernon wondered if he
could buy his silence. He had no
ready money. but a check would do.
Molly probably had one of his mothers
check-books and he could get hold OF
1t somehow without her knowing.
Holmes seemed particularly well
dressed. in a combination Algernon
recognized as his own favorite colors
and remembered that he had worn
the same when he had made Holmes
acquaintance that day in June beneath
the wayside trees. He was going IN
a day or two at the longest, and Alger-
non might be able to hasten him on his
way by mending the car himself
Holmes was watching him with
twinkling eyes and frank amusement.
he laughed and Algernon
lodged another slap on the back.
my dear boy trust me. I won't
give you away, not for the world"
said Holmes, and he winked slowly.
81 suppose you heard when you
signed the register at the hotel?' cues
toned Algernon with assumed light
ness and Indifference. s'
II didn't sign the register laughed
Holmes, mot by the. name. of Joseph
Holmes. at least, believe me. Il had
heard about the Todds' chauffeur as |
ate breakfast and had no desire to
spoil your sport. believe me-
That's mighty good in you," re-
turned AIgernon. How did you know
it was ~"
Guessed it," declared Holmes,
drawing out his cigarette case and Of
fering Algernon one. Have a smoke.
Here's match. I heard about the
Tcdds' place in detail from the wait
ress. and about their chauffeur. So
when heard Of the youth in the long
buster and no hand luggage, l judged
it to be you. running home to mama,
stony broke from the peddling bust
ness"
mot to mama" said Algernon.
Holmes laughed. mo, knew that.
To whom"
"A cousin of my fathers" lied Al
gernon promptly. "She came up here
to get the place opened and in order
for mama in the fall. We had never
met before and when presented
myself"
"In the balky horse-runaway." in
terrupted Holmes genially. quite SO.
I see, believe me. 1t was certainly
and I don't blame you for
for being Joseph Holmes and the
Todds' chauffeur, not by jugful, be-
lieve me-"
Its mighty good in you not to have
spoilt things by signing your name"
protested Algernon gratefully. But
/ can't put you to that trouble"
Holmes held up his hand "My
dear boy, say 70 more. am leaving
town In day or two. as you know,
and 1t is amusing, really, believe me,
besides a great pleasure to be of as
sistance to you
Maybe I can be of assistance to
YOU said Algernon. 81 may be able
to fix your car for you. am good
at that sort of things. What is the
matter with it? If it only needs a
new part-I may have it.
Holmes frowned. ITS quite an.
noying," said he, tossing away his
cigarette. Something broke last night
as we slowed down. The man says
he has to send to Boston for a new
part. It won't be more than day be-
fore we get it, but was ina hurry to
meet my wife in Montreal and the de-
lay is annoying, believe me"
"Why don't you take the train" sug-
sested Algernon eagerly helpful land
let your man bring the car on?"
Il did think Of that, but when in
CURED about trains, found that ]
could make just as good time if !
waited two days and then went up in
my car. The train service isn't very
good and there are SO many changes
and stops to be made to get from a
little place like this, that the car is
really the faster sighed Holmes.
81 shall be around to Sc if can't do
declared Algernon. What
name did you sign to the register"
Holmes laughed. waving aside his
own troubles airily. "My wife's,' said
he, "Mr. Peterson"
I'm mighty grateful" declared Al
gernon, holding out his hand. you
must let me show how much some
time Look me up IL you come down
to New York in the fall"
Algernon had been brought up to
fool +bat he was cOnfarrioo 11ntoId