Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-01-13

English. And you have a tempera
Iture on arising? Hmm! This unde1
your tongue, if you please'-he thrus'
a clinical thermometer between Wood
houses lips; the latter already hae
his coat off, and vas unbuttoning his
shirt. Koch gave him a meaning
glance, and disappeared between the
folding doors, closing them behind
him.
The captain, feeling much like a foo
with the tiny glass tube sproutlns
from his lips, yet with all his facul
ties strained to alertness, awaited de
velopments. II Doctor Koch's hazard
should prove correct and this was an
English secret service man come tc
arrest him, wouldn't suspicion also
fall on whomever was found a visitor
in the German spy's house? Arrest
and search; examination OF his scar
alb pin-that would not be pleasant.
He tried to hear what was being
said beyond the folding doors, but
could catch nothing ave the deep
humble of the doctors occasional
bass and a higher, querulous voice
raised in what might be argument.
Had he dared Woodhouse would
have drawn closer to the crack IN
the folding doors SO that he could
hear what was passing; every instinct
Of self preservation in him made his
ears yearn to dissect this murmur in.
to sense. But if Doctor Koch should
coach, him eavesdropping, embarrass-
ment fatal to his plans might follow;
besides, he had a feeling that eyes he
could not see-perhaps the unWink1ng
eyes of the Numidian, avid for an
excuse to put into practice his dex-
terity with the Bedouin dagger-were
on him.
Minutes slipped by. The captain
still nursed the clinical thermometer.
The humble and muttering continued
to sound through the closed doors.
Suddenly the high whine of the I'M
seen visitor was raised in excitement.
Came clearly through to Woodhouse's
ears his passionate declaration:
But I tell you you've got to rccog
nize me. My numbers Nineteen
T%hirty-two. My ticket was stolen out
of the head Of my cane somewhere
between Paris and Alexandria. But l
got it all right-got it from the Will
helmstrasse direct, with orders to re-
port to Doctor Emil Koch in Alex
andria!"
Capper! Capper, who was to be be-
trayed to the firing squad in Malta,
after his Welhelstrasse ticket had
passed from his possession. Capper on
the job! t.. .
Woodhouse hurled every foot pound
Of his will to hear into his ears. He
caught Koch's grufr answer:
Young man, you're talking mad
ness. You're talking to a loyal Brit
ish subject. I know nothing about
your Wilhelmstrasse or your num-
Der. If I did not think you were drunk
I'd have you held here, to be turned
over to the military as a spy. Now,
20 before l change my mind"
Again the querulous protestation OF
Capper, met by the doctors peremp-
tory order. The captain heard the
front door close. A long wait, and
Doctor Koch's black beard, with the
surmounting eyes OF thick glass. ap.
peared at a parting OF the folding
doors. Woodhouse, the tiny thermem'
eter still sticking aburdly from his
mouth, met the basilisk stare of those
two ovals of glass with a coldly casu.
al glance. He removed the thermom'
eter from between his lips and read
it. with a smile, as If that were part
of playing a game. Still the CHASTITY
stare from the glass eyes over the
bristling beard, notwithstanding
well" Woodhouse said lightly, mo
need of an alibi evidently"
Doctor Koch stepped into the room
with the lightness Of a cat, walked
to a desk drawer at side. end
fumbled there a second, his back to
his guest. When he turned he held
a short harreled automatic at his hip:
the muzzle covered the shirt sleeved
man in the chair.
Much need-for an alibi-from
you!" Doctor Koch croaked, his voice
dry and fiat with rage. Much need
Mister Nineteen T~hirty-two. Com
1--ence your explanation Immediately
for this minute my temptation is
strong-very strong-to shoot you fol
the dog you are"
rs this-ah, customary?' Wood
house twiddled the tiny mercury tube
between his fingers and looked un
%finchingly at the small round mouth
of the automatic. do you make a
practice of consulting a-friend with
a revolver at your hip?"
You heard-what was said in
there" Koch's forehead was curious
ly ridged and flushed with much blood
Did you ask me to listen? Surely
my dear doctor, you have provided
doors that are sound proof. If I may
suggest, isn't it about time that you
explain this-this melodrama" The