The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-08
This is one of The Times
Novel Week
series.
II will be finished In six
big installments.
CHAPTER l.
The Physician Who Healed Him.
self


the home department, the Right
Honorable Topham Vinson insti-
tuted many reforms and earned
the reformer's whack of praise
and blame.
1t is matter for thanksgiving
that the majority of his indiscre-
tions were unguessed while he
and his held office. He was never
so unconventional as in the COM
pany of that kindred spirit who
had SO much to do with their in
ception.
II was early in an autumn ses-
sion that this remarkable pair be-
came acquainted. Mr.. Vinson had
been tempted by the mildness of
the night to walk back from
Westminster to Portman Square.
He had just reached home when
he heard his name cried some lit
tie distance behind him. The
voice tempered hoarse excitement
with the restraint due to midnight
in quiet square; and as Mr.. Vim
son turned on his doorstep, a
young man rushed across the road
with q gold chain swinging from
his outstretched hand.
Your watch, sir, your watch!'
he gasped. and displayed bulb
Gus hunter with a monogram on
one side and the crest of all the
Wilson's on the other.
Heavens" cried the home sec
rotary, feeling In an empty waist
coat pocket before he could be-
lieve his eyes. Where on earth
did you. find that? l had 1t on
me when | left the house,
1T wasn't a case of finding"
said the young man, as he famed
himself with his opera hat. 1--WE
just taken 1t from the fellow who
took IL from you"
who? Where?" demanded the
secretary of state, with unstates-
manlike excitement.
Some poor brute in North
Audley St, | thing it was"
That's 1t! That was where he
Aopped me, just at the corner of
Grosvenor Square," exclaimed
Vinson. And | went and gave the
old scoundrel half a CROWN"
He probably had your watch
while you were looking in your
purse"
And the young man dabbed a
very good forehead, that glisten-
ed In the light from the open
door, with a. white silk handker-
chief just extracted from his
sleeve.
But where we're your" asked
Topham Vinson, taking in every
inch of him.
I'D just come into the square
myself. You had just gone out OF
1t. The pickpocket was looking
to see what he'd got, even while
he hurled his blessings after
lyou."
And where is he now?" Did
he slip through your fingers?"
I'm ashamed to say he did;
but your watch didn't" it's owner
was reminded with more spirit.
Il could guess whose it was by
the crest and monogram, and |
decided to make sure instead of
giving chase"
You did admirably" declared
the home secretary, in belated ap-
probation. Come in, please, and
let me thank you with all the
honors possible at this time of
And - ushered the savior of
his property into a charming in
ner hall, where elaborate refresh
ments stood in readiness on a side
table.
Mr.. Vinson, explaining that he
never allowed anybody to sit up
for him, led the attack on food
and drink with schoolboy gusto
and high spirits.
In the meantime there had
been some mutual note-taking.
The home secretary, whose en-
phatic personality lent itself to
the discreet pencil of the modern
caricaturist, was in appearance
exactly as represented in contem-
porary cartoons; there was moth
ing unexpected about him, since
his boyish vivacity was a quality
already over-exploited by the
press. His frankness was some
thing qualified by a gaze of habit
ual penetration, but still it was
there, and his manner could evi-
IDENTITY be grand or colloquil at
will.
The young man from the street
was easily pleased In all such re-
spects; but indoors he no longer
looked quite the young man. His
hair was dark and wiry, but over
one ear was a singular patch of
white.'
The shaven face was pale.
eager, and austere. Dark eyes
burnt like beacons under a noble
brow, and did not lose In char
acter or intensity by a distinct
though slight strabism. So at
least 1t seemed to Topham Vim
ston, who was a really wonderful
Judge of faces, yet had seldom
seen one harder to sum up.
I'm sorry you don't smoke"
said he, shipping cigar which
he had extolled In vain.
The other was on his legs that
instant. II never smoke" he ex-
claimed; but I simply can not