Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-24
CHAPTER x.
The Cold GRAY Dawn.


again in its favorite polar atmosphere
Filling the door leading to the outer
room, he beheld the cause of his
awakening-the mayor of Reuton. Mr.
Cargan regarded him with the cold
steely eye of Disraeli in action, but
when he spoke he opened the jaws OF
cocktail mixer.
well, young fellow" he remarked,
"it seems to me it was time you got
up and faced the responsibilities Of
the day. First of which may men.
ton is a little talk with me-"
He stepped into the room. and
through the doorway he vacated Mr.
Max came sinking. The unlovely face
Of the foe of suspicion was badly
bruised, and he looked upon the world
with no cheerful eye. Pushing aside
one of the frail bedroom chairs as un.
trustworthy, the mayor sat down on
the edge of Mr. Magees bed. IL
creaked in protest
"You used us pretty rough last night
in the snow" Cargan went on. That's
why I amt disposed to go in for kid
gloves and diplomacy this morning.
It's my experience that when you're
dealing with man who's got the good
old Irish name Of Magee, it's best to
hit first ava debate afterward.'
'T--I used you roughly, Mr.. Car
GAM" said Magee.
"No debate, mind you" protested the
mayor lou and me are making this
morning call to inquire after a little
package that went astray somewhere
last night There's two courses open
to you-hand over the package or let
us take it. ri give you a top-the
first is the best II we have to take
1t, we might get real rough in our &C.
TONS"
Mr.. Max slipped closer to the bed,
an ugly look on his face. The mayor
glared f1xedly into Magee's eyes. The
knight who fought for fair ladies in
the snow lay on his pillow and con-
sidered briefly
ri get what I go after remarked
Cargan emphatica1ly.
eyes," spared Magee, "but the real
point is keeping what you get after
you've gone after it. You didn't make
much Of an impression on me last
night in that line, Mr.. Cargan."
II never cared much for humor.' re-
Piled the mayor, respectfully at t.:s
early hour of the morning"
"And l hate fresh guy," put in
Max, like poison
"I'm not fresh," Mr.. Magee smiled
I'm stating facts. You say you've
come for that package All right
but you've come to the wrong room.
haven't got it."
"The hell you haven't" roared tho
mayor Lou, look about a bit"
Look about all you like" agreed
Magee you won't find it. Mr. Car
gan. admit that laid for you last
night. saw you open the safe &C.
cording to the latest approved meth.
DDS, and I saw you come forth with
a package of money. But I wasn't
rough with you. I might have been,
to be frank, but somebody beat me to
it,
"Who?"
"The man with the seventh key, I
suppose The man Bland heard walk.
ing about last night when we were
at dinner Don't tell me you didn't
see him in that mix-up at the foot OF
the steps?"
"Well---I did think there was another
guy" the mayor answered. "but Lou
said was crazy"
lou does you an injustice. There
was another guy, and II you are anxf.
Gus to recover your precious package,
advise you to wake him up to the re-
sponsibilties Of the day, not me-
The mayor considered Mr.. Max,
who had hastily made the rounds OF
the three rooms, came back with
empty hands.
"Well.' said the mayor II might as
we'll admit it. I'm up in the air. I
don't know Just at this minute where
to get of. But that state of affairs
don't last long with me, young fellow.
I'll go to the bottom Of this before
the day is out, believe me. And II
can't do anything else, I'll take you
back to Reuton myself and throw you
in jail for robbery"
Il wouldn't do that" smiled Ma
gee. Think Of the awful Job Of ex-
planning to the white necktie crowd
how you happened to be dynamiting a
safe on Baldpate Mountain at mid.
night"
ooh, guess can get around that,
said the mayor. THAT money belongs
to friend of mine-Andy Rutter.
happen to go to the inn for little rest
and ! grab you dynamiting the safe,
I'll keep an eye on you today, Mr. Ma
gee. And let me tell you now that 1t
I catch you or any of the bunch that's
with you trying to. make a getaway
from Baldpate. there's going to be
war break out"
ct don't know about the other her
mits," laughed Magee, "but person.
ally. I expect to be here for several
weeks to come, Whew! It's cold in
here Where's the hermit? Why
hasn't he been up to fix my fire.
Eyes, where is he?" repeated Mr..
Cargan. That's what everybody'd
like to know. He hasn't showed up.
Not a sign Of breakfast, and me as
hollow as reformer's victory"
Hes backslid," cried Magee
"The uuitter.' sneered Max. cts
only quito would live on the noun.
tain in a shack anyhow"
You're rather hard on poor old
Peters" remarked Magee, "but when
l think that have to get up and dress
in a refrigerating plant can't say
blame you. If only the fire were
lighted"
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