Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31


resistance when he took It, I'm JUS
a cook says, in this house. | ain
the trusted old family retainer tina
retains it's fortunes like a safety de
post vault So I let go the bundle
Of got the habit Of giving up money
being married so many years.
Peters," said Mr.. Magee, I'm
sorry your grip was so insecure, bu
I'm mighty glad you came to me will
this matter"
"He told me | wasn't to mention i
to anybody" replied the hermit, "bu
as / say, sort of look on it that we
were here first, and if our guests ge
to chasing untold wealth up and dowr
the place. We ought to let each othel
in on it."
Correct" answered Magee. "Yor
are a valuable man, Peters. | want
you to know that I appreciate the way
you have acted in this affair." Foul
shadowy figures tramped in through
the dining-room door. II should
say" he continued. that the menu
you propose for dinner will prove
most gratifying"
"what-oh--yes, sir" said Peters
"Ts that all?'
quite smiled Magee. Unless
just minute, this may concern you
ON my word. there's another new
face at Baldpate."N>
He stood up, and in the light of the
fire met Hayden. Now he saw that the
face of the latest conner was scheming
and weak, and that under small
J 70 oh
sought to hide. The stranger gazed
at Magee with an annoyance plainly
marked
"A friend of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Mr.. Magee," muttered Bland.
ooh, come now" smiled Magee.
Lets tell our real names. l heard
you greeting your friend a minute
ago. How are you. Mr. Hayden"
He held out his hand. Hayden
looked him angrily in the eyes.
"Who the devil are you?' he asked.
do you mean," said Magee, that
you didn't catch the name. It's Ma
gee-William Hallowell Magee. I
hold a record hereabouts, Mr.. Hayden.
spend nearly an hour at Baldpate
Inn-alone You see, I was the first
of our amiable little party to arrive.
Let me make you welcome. Are you
staying to dinner? You must"
I'm not growled Hayden. .
Don't believe him, Mr.. Magee.'
sneered the mayor. "he doesn't al
ways say what he means. He's going
to stay, all right
eyes. you'do better, Mr. Hayden"
advised Bland.
Io1 ;rrht n
ped Hayden. He strolled over to the
wall, and in the light of the fire ex-
amined picture nonchalantly.
"The pride of our inn Mr. Ma
gee. following, explained pleasantly,
'the admiral. 1t is within these
very walls in summer that he plays his
famous game of SOLITAIRE
Hayden wheeled quickly. and looked
Magee in the eyes. A flush crossed
his face, leaving it paler than before.
He turned away without speaking.
"Peters," said Magee, you heard
what Mr.. Hayden said. An extra plate
at dinner, please. I must leave you
for. moment, gentlemen He saw
that their eyes followed him eagerly
full of suspicion. menacing. we
shall all meet again, very shortly
Hayden slipped quickly between Ma.
gee and the stairs. The latter faced
him smilingly, rejecting as he did so
that he could love this man but little.
"Who are you?" said Hayden again.
"What Is your business here?'
Magee laughed outright, and turned
to the other men.
CHAPTER XIV.
70 hn
gentleman does not know the manners
and customs of Baldpate in winter.
Those are questions, Mr.. Hayden,
that we are never impolite enough to
ask of one another up here He
moved on toward the stairs, and reluct-
antly Hayden got out Of his path. Il
am very happy" he added, that you
are to be with us at dinner. 1t will
not take you long to accustom your
self to our ways, I'm sure
He ran up the stairs and passed
through number seven out upon the
balcony. Trudging through the snow,
he soon sighted the room Of Professor
Bolton. And as he did so, little
conditions ran down his spine. For
one Oh tue pIOleSSOl > WlAuONo o'oo"
wide open, bidding a welcome to the
mountain storm. Peters had spoken
the truth. Once more that tight little,
right little package was within MI
Magee's ken.
He stepped through the open win
dow, and closed it after him. BY the
table sat Professor Bolton, wrapped
in coats and blankets, reading by the
light of a solitary candle. The book
was held almost touching his nose
a reminder of the spectacles that were
gone. AS Magee entered the old man
looked up, and very obvious express
sion of fright crossed his face.
Good evening, Professor said Ma
gee easily. Don't you find it rather
cool with the window open?'
"Mr. Magee,' replied the much
wrapped gentleman. Il am that rather
disturbing progressive-a fresh air
devotee. I feel that Gods good air
was meant to be breathed, not barri-
caded from our bodies"
"Perhaps," suggested Magee, Il
should have left the window open?"
The old man regarded him narrowly.
;o1, 10 No I'M nj q O