The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-04-06

No l asked him. Roddy was sore
because l found out what he was up
to-"
Upon that point Average Jones med
itated moment.
Did you see this Spanish professor
again?" he inquired presently.
Now that you speak of it, 1 didn't
see him but the once
Can you leave for Toledo on to-
nights train?"
You're goin' to take the case.
then?" the quack clawed nervously at
his professional white whiskers.
What's your terms?" he demanded.
That I'm to have full control and
that you're to take orders and not give
them"
Doctor Hoff swallowed that with a
gulp. You're on" he Rsld finally.
Average Jones first call, on arriving
at Toledo, was at the business office of
the Daily Saw, in which he inserted
the following paragraph on a repeat
until-stopped order:
| WANTED-INSTRUCT IN SPANISH.
one with recent experience preferred
/ Apply between and 10 a. m. Doctor Hoff,
SEQ Fairfield Avenue.
Thence he climbed the stairs to the
den of the city editor who obligingly
furnished further details regarding
Hickey Hoff, as he called the young
man.
The worst of it is said the news
paper man, that thers are elements
of decency about the yoGnT cub, IL he'd
keep sober. But there's T-othing else
for him to do, so he just fights booze.
Better make few inquiries at Silent
Charley's"
What's that?"
Quiet little bar kept by talkative
Swede. Hickey Hoff hung out there
a lot. Charley even had a room fixed
up for him to lay off in when he was
too picked to go home"
'Would-er-young Hoff-er-per-
haps keep a few-er-extra clothes
there?" asked Average Jones, seem
ingly struggling with a yawn.
The city editor stared. "Oh, I dare
say He used to end his sprees pretty
much mussed up"
That would perhaps explain where
the shirt came FROM" murmured the
Advisor. Much obliged for the sug-
gestion. I'll just step around"
Silent Charley" he found ready,
even eager to talk. Yes; hickey"
Hohi had been in his place right along.
Drunk? No; not even drinking much
| lately. Two other gentlemen had met
him there quite often. They sat in
the back room and talked. No. neither
OF them was Spanish. ono was big and
clean-shaven and wore a silk hat They
called him Colonel" A swell dresser.
The other man drank gin, and a lot of
IT, His name was Fred. He was very
tanned. One day there had been a hot
discussion over sheet of paper that
lay on the table in front of the three
men in the back room. hickey" had
called a messenger boy and sent him
out for a geography. 81 told you there
wasn't any such thing there" the
saloon keeper heard him say triumph.
antly, when the geography arrived.
Then Fred replied: ITO h--ll with you
and your schoolbook; / tell you I've
waded across It," The colonel
smoothed things over and it ended in
q magnum of champagne being or
dered.
And you haven't seen any of them
since, l suppOse?"
Nary q one"
On his return to the Hon mansion
the investigator found the head there
of in a state of great excitement
Say I've found out something" he
cried. "Roddy's gone to Yurrup."
Where did you find that out?'
asked Average Jones with a smile
Il been going through his papers
like you told me- He's been Quitting
for a trip. Bought lots OF truck the
last few days and found the duplicate
sale checks that come i'm the packages.
There's stubs for a steamer rug and for
a dope for seasickness and for a com
pass" he concluded triumphantly
Compass eh?" observed Average
Jones thoughtfully. Anything else?'
Lots of clothes. Cheap stuff most
| ly. Khaki ridingpants. neglyjee shirts
and such-like Colored glasses Per
manganate of potash outfit"
Snake country" commented the
other
Patent water still"
Average Jones leaned forward
Taken with the compass. Il means
a small-boat trip on salt water Let
me see the list"
He ran his eye down the paper Then
he looked at Doctor Hon with a half
smile
you didn't notice anything peculiar
about this list2's
Don't know as ] did"
mot the-er-nitric acid. for in.
stance?"
Nope What Of it2"
"Mr. Hon. your son has been caught
by one OF the Oldest tricks fin the whole
bunco rst-the lost Spanish mine swim
die. That acid. together with the rest
OF the outfit means a gold-hunt as
plain az 90 It we're spelled out And
tho Spanish professor was sent for. not
to give lessons. but Co translate the
fake letter Where does your son
/ bank"
Fifth National"
Telephone there and find out how
much he drew"
poctor HOn sat down at the phone.