Mexico Missouri message., 1916-05-25

IAluB L0dI ne I6lJ q OlSJlnCL LnTlll at
first sight Of the advertisement. Yet
fate might we'll have chosen a more
appropriate ambush in anyone of q
hundred OF the strange clippings which
we're grist to the Advisors mill. Out
OF q bulky pile of the days paragraphs,
however, 1t was this one that leaped,
significant, to his eye:
WANTED-TEN THOUSAND LOATHLY
black beetles, by a leaseholder who con-
Gracted to leave a house in the same con-
dition as he found 1t. Ackroyd, 100 w.
Sixteenth St.. New York.
'Black beetles, eh?" observed Aver
age Jones. This Ackroyd person
seems to be merry little jester. Well,
I'm feeling rather jocular, myself, this
morning. How does one collect black
beetles, l wonder? When in doubt
inquire Of the resourceful Simpson"
He pressed a button and his con-
fidential clerk entered.
Good morning, Simpson" said Az
erage Jones. Are you acquainted
with that shy but pervasive animal,
the domestic black beetle?"
Eyes, sir; board" Simpson simply.
81 suppose there aren't ten thousand
black beetles in your boarding house,
thought" inquired Average Jones.
Simpson took 1t under advisement.
Hardly" he decided.
I've got to have 'em to fill an or
der. At least, I've got to have an in
stallment of 'em, and tomorrow"
"Ramson, down on Fulton street,
will have them, IL anyone has," Simp-
son said presently.
Returning to his routine work, Av-
,erage Jones found himself unable to
dislodge the advertisement from his
mind. So presently he gave way to
temptation, called up Bertram at the
Cosmic club, and asked him to come
TO the Astor Court temple Offices at
his convenience. Seeming more ad
venture, Bertram found it convenient
70 come promptly. Average Jones
handed him the clipping, Bertram
read it with ascending eyebrows.
Whats at One Hundred West Six
teenth street," demanded Jones.
zone Hundred West Sixteenth; let
me see. Why, of course; it's the old
Feltner mansion. You must know it.
1t has a walled garden at the side;
the only one left in the city, south OF
Central Park"
ANYONE named Ackroyd there?"
"'That must be Hawley Ackroyd.
remember, now, hearing that he had
rented it. Judge Ackroyd, you know
better known as Oily Ackroyd. He'l
a smooth old rascal"
Ever hear Of his collecting in
.sects?"
Never heard of his collecting any
thing but graft. In fact, he'd have
been in Jail years ago, but for his fam
lily connections. He married a Val
Haitern. You remember the famous
Van Haltern will case, surely: the
lmiIlion-dollar dog. The papers fairly
reeked Of it a year ago. Sylvia Ora
ham had to take the dog and leavu
the country to escape the notoriety
She's back now, believe"
i've heard of Miss Graham" re
marked Average Jones.
1'Well, if you've only heard of he
and not seen her." returned Bertram
with something as nearly resembling
enthusiasm as his habitual languo
permitted, you've got something t
look forward to. Sylvia Graham is
distinct asset to the Scheme Of Cres
ton"
IAN asset with assets Of her own,
believe" said Average Jones. eth
million dollars left by her grandmott
or, old Mrs. Van Haltern, goes to he
eventually, doesn't it?"
Provided she carries out the term
of the win, keeps the dog in prope
luxury and buries him in the gray
on the family estate at Schuylkill de-
dgnated by the testator. If these term
are not rigidly carried out, the 70
tune Ia to be divided, most of it g
ing to Mrs. Hawley Ackroyd, whic
would mean the Judge himself"
HIN. What about Mrs. Ackroydi
''Poor, sickly. frightened ladyI She
very fond Of Sylvia Graham, who
her niece. But she's completely dom
mated by her husband"
Information is your long suit, Der
Now, II you only had intelligence
correspond" Average Jones brol
on and grinned mildly, first at b
friend, then at the advertisement.
Bertram caught up the paper ar
studied it. well, what does 1t mean
he demanded.
ct means that Ackroyd, being abo
to give up his rented house, intenl
70 saddle 1t with bad name"
at would be just like Oily Ac
royd," remarked Bertram. He's
vindictive seoundreL Only few da
agu, be nearly killed a poor devil of
drug clerk. over some trihing dispui