Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-01
cHAPTERV, (continued).

softly to the door of Constance's den
and looked out. Then she slgnaled a
clear track. The three Brookes, single
file. tiptoed into the hall and up the
stairs that led to the floor above.
Mr. Hedge went about his inventory
work with an ease and certainty that
amazed Horace, who, while he could
perceive no sense whatever in the
work itself, none less reluctantly ad.
mitted to himself that it was being
done In a workmanlike manner. The
quick. keen eyes of Hedge missed
nothing. He required no explanation
from his guide. Like a good census
man, he put down all he saw and did
it with a speed that was amazing. He
passed briskly from one room to an
other, inexorably recording their con-
tents on large printed blanks
To Horace it was foolishness; to
Hedge it was holy crusade.
The third floor followed the second.
but there were no Brooke children IN
sight. Horace knew why, but the eff
ficiency man was yet to learn.
Fourth floor next said Hedge
snappily, as he produced fresh set OF
blanks.
Horace led by the way. At the head
of the stairs he turned sharply to the
left and walked along hallway that
ended at a closed door The butler laid
his hand on the knob and paused.
Most curious sounds came from the
other side of the door. There was a.
rapid. steady. and hollow beating
roise, for one thing. with an accelerat-
Ing tempo. There was a noise or
stamping feet, at irregular intervals,
mingled with soft thuds-six or seven
stamps to each thud. There was
screecbing. wheeling sort Of noise. ac-
carpanied by metallic rafting.
Then. tust as Horace turned the knob.
there was boisterous laugh.
The butler stepped respectfully
aside. and the efficiency man stood on
the threshold Of large room that ran
the full width of the house.
First in his vision, and to occupy it
for a period of several interested
seconds. came Constance Brooke. She
stood beneath large wooden disk,
suspended horizontally from the cell
ing. From the center Of the disk hung
a cord. and from the end of the cord
daneled a leather bag, snugly inflated
with air.
Constance wore white sweater and
skirt that did not reach to her knees.
There was no reason why 1t should.
for Constance represented q splendid
phase Of efficiency without too much
economy. Red stockings and white
canvas shoes, laced high above her
ankles, completed her costume, with
the exception Of a pair Of stout but
,tight-fitting leather gloves.
Her hands We're doubled into fists
and the firsts were smashing rhythm.
ically-right, left, right. left-against
the swaying bag. Every time f1st
drove the bag against the wooden
disk, the bag rebounded only to meet
another fist lying craftily in wait. Con-
stance was breathing sharply; her
eyes were glistening with excitement.
Suddenly she stepped in closer and
began to use elbows as we'll as fists.
alternating them in bewildertng play
that doubled the speed of the bag
Faster, faster. swung the tortured bag,
frantically seeking escape from its
tether. With the steady, swift swing
of her arms the girls body swayed
easily from. side to side, balancing
from the hips, while her feet were
planted sturdily on the floor support
ing her with a sureness that knew no
retreat
Whether natural or acquired, Con-
stance had "hook" that was amaz-
ing for accuracy and vim.
For an instant the eff ciency mans
gaze roved Alice, CARRIED much as her
sister, with the exception that she
wore loose knickerbockers instead of
ia skirt. was Just clearing a bar that
was balanced some four feet form the
floor. Billy was pulling vicionsly at
set OF pulley weights attached to the
farther wall Scattered about the gym
;rasium was several pieces of idle ap-
tparatus.
There was sharp snap and the
beating of the bag against it's wooden
barrier ceased abruptly. H. Hedge
turned his head. just in time to see
a globular object approaching him at
appalling speed. There was no time to
dodge. The missile struck him fairly
in the middle of his forehead, bounded
back with equal suddenness, and roll.
ed along the floor to far corner.
A broken cord was dangling over
Constance Brooke's head as she stood
rigid for an instant, breathing heavily
and staring with eyes at tie Efficiency
man. He was rubbing his ,'orehead in
"a bewildered way and returning her
stare There was a shrek Of laughter
from Alice: an It'll be" from Billy.
The bag puncher bit her lip. frown
ed, but said never word. Pulling off
her gloves. she tossed them aside,
marched rapidly to the door, brushed
past Hedge and disappeared. Horace
noted a CLINT of triumph in her eyes.
The efficiency man strolled across
the gymnasium and retrieved the bag
from the corner where 1t lay He ex-
amined 1t curiously, noting the broken
bit Of cord that was attached to 1t and
nodding his head in evident approval
AS he turned the leather sphere in his
hands he observed that it had been
marked, apparently with chalk. The in
scription was half obliterated by busy
6sts, yet still legible It said:
n. HEDGE, E. E.
"1t seems that each one has her own
way Of producing an impression" mus
10 mt ~, T',,,I