Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-05
.wn staccato interruption.

own staccato interruption.
whats .this-what's this! Flirting
with poor old George-pinning a rose
on my revered husband when my
backs turned? Brazen miss. In
here to take you of to the garden
at once, where you can find somebody
younger-and not les so dear-tc
captivate with your tricks. At once
now!"
She had her arm through James
and was marching her off. An ex
change of chances between the gov
ernor and Hildebrand's young diplo
mat Of the dollar said that what had
passed between them was a conn
dence.
Jaimihr Khan announced Major
Bishop to the general a short time
later. The major, . rotund PINK
faced man of forty, who had the ap.
pearance of being I've tubbed and
groomed to the pink of parade perfec'
ton, saluted his superior informally
accepted a cigarette and crossed his
plump legs in an easy chair near the
generals desk. General Crandall fold
ed his arms on his desk and went d1'
rect to his subject:
Major, you were here on the ROCK
seven years ago, you say"
Here ten years, General. Regular
rock scorpion-old-timer."
"Do you happen to recall this chap
Woodhouse whom I sent to you to re-
port for duty in the signal tower to
day? Has transfer papers from Wady
Halfa."
Haven't met him yet, though Cap.
tain Carson tells me he reported at
my Office a little more than an hour
ago-see him after parade. Wood
house-Woodhouse-'' The major
propped his chin on his fingers In
thought.
"His papers-army record and all
that-say he was here on the Rock
for three months In the spring OF
Inineteen-seven," General Crandall
urged. to refresh the others memory.
Major Bishop stroked his round
cheeks, tugged at n ear, but found
recollection difficult.
"When I see the chap-so many
coming and going, you know. Three
months-bless me! That's a thin slice
out of ten years."
Major, I'm going to take you into
my confidence" the senior Officer be-
gan: then he related the incident OF
Capper's visit and repeated the
charge he had made. Bishop sat
aghast at the word "spy."
"Woodhouse will be here to tea this
afternoon" continued Crandall.
While you and I ask him a few lead
ing questions, I'll have Jaimihr, my
Indian. search his room in barracks.
I trust Jaimihr implicitly, and he can
do the job smoothly. Now, Bishop,
what do you remember about nine.
Notwithstanding we al lead
up to in conversation, you know"
The younger man knuckled his
brow for a minute, then looked up
brightly.
IT say, General, Craigen was gov
ernor then. But-um-arent you q
bit-mild: this asking of a suspected
spy to tea?"
"What..can l do?" the other replied,
somewhat testify. 81 can't clap an Of
foer of his majesty's army into prison
on the mere say-so of a drunken out.
cast who has no proof to oher. /
must go slowly, Major. Watch for a
slip from this Woodhouse. One bad
nov on his part, and he starts on
his way to face a firing squad"
Bishop had risen and was slowly
pacing the room, his eyes on the
walls, hung with many portraits in
oils.
well, you can't help admiring the
nerve of the chap" he muttered, hall
to himself. Forcing his way on to
the Rock-why, he might as well put
his head in a lannon's mouth"
ct haven't time to admire" the gen,
eral said shortly. Thing to do is to
act"
quite right. N1neteen-seven, eh?
I'm" He paused before the portrait
of a young woman in a Gainsborough
hat and with a sparkling piquant face.
"By George, General, why not try him
on LADY Evelyn? There's a fair test
for you, now"
general looked up at the portrait
ouizically. "Skeleton's bones, Bish.
op."
Right: but no man who ever saw
her could forget. I know / never can.
Poor Craigen!"
Good idea, though" the older man
~acuuiesced. We'll trip him on Lady
Evelyn"
Jaimihr- Khan appeared at the
double doors. ''The general sahib's
orderly" he announced. The young
.subaltern entered and saluted.
THAT young man, General Gran
dali, the one Sergeant Crosby was to
escort out Of the lines to Algeciras-'