Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
CHAPTER IX-(Continued.)

CHAPTER IX-(Continued)
He nodded kindly to Bliss.
Il am q few minutes before m.
time" he remarked, ITO tell you tn
truth, l was anxious about Tomm!
last night. He refused his seed"
Mr.. Cockerill produced his key. ant
they entered the little room together
There was the usual outburst of wei
come from the birds. Tommy, the bull
inch, alone was silent and Tomm!
was obviously not we'll.
Mr.. Cockerill hung up his hat hast
lily. His fingers trembled as he with
drew his kid gloves.
II shall want little warm water
and some warm milk, Bliss, he an
nounced. you had better light the
fire at once before you clean out and
feed the other birds"
what a beastly shame!" the par
rot screamed, ruffling its feathers.
Mr.. Cockerill took no notice He
was busy arranging little flannel
lined basket for the bullflnch. For
the rest of the day, he sat with the
bird by his side, continually pausing
in his work to whistle and talk to 1t.
At nve O'Clock he reluctantly pre-
pared to depart. He called Bliss in.
'trm afraid" he said, that
Tommy is no better. His condition,
In short, makes me very anxious"
3, Bliss looked at his employer curious
~. There was not the slightest doubt
that he was telling the truth.
T dare not take him away with
NO." that latter continued. II am
afraid OF the cold air. Tomorrow, az
you know Is Sunday. Can I trouble
you, Bliss to attend here In the morn.
ing, see how he is. and come and let
mo know? I will hand you the key OF
my room on my departure"
RI will come with pleasure" Bliss
replied. Where shall find you,
II Hive at the Acropolis- Club, Pail
Man. Mr.. Cockerill told him, draw
Ing . card from his pocket and scrib-
bling q line on the back Of 1t. If you
present that you will be allowed to
come up to my room. Kindly arrange
to be there about ten o'clock In the
morning."
Bliss spent that night with the key
OF the ONCE under his pillow. Long
before eight o'clock the next morning
he climbed the stairs Of the building
in King Street and let himself into Mr..
Cockerill's little apartment.
There was the usual shrek from
the parrot and twitter from the birds.
He pulled up the blind. Tommy had
left his basket and was hopping about
the mantlepiece.
Bliss closed the door. He'was now
face to face with problem which had
been before him all the night, aprob
lem which was rendered more acute
by the fact that the Derby desk at
which Mr.. Cockerill spent his days
stood open.
He considered the character and
the number of the callers. He re-
called the agitation of Miss Morrison
and one or two others.
In the end he set his teeth. He was
Justified.
He started with the desk and turned
over a great pile of manuscript which
lay there. From beginning to end, 1t
was exactly what purported to be. He
opened each drawer and examined its
contents. Every memorandum he
found referred to birds. Every scrap
Of paper he touched referred to birds.
He found photographs Of birds;
letters from learned men about birds,
IN many languages. In the whole Of
the desk he did not find single line
Of writing which did not refer direct
~ or indirectly, to birds.
He left the desk exactly as it was
and he examined every inch of the
room. There was not box nor
drawer nor any possible receptacle
there which he did not search.
When he had finished his cheeks
were scarlet. He almost kicked him
self as he went out Nevertheless, he
carried through his whole intention.
He cut q small hole In the wall. which
would allow him from the outside to
see into the room.
At ten o'clock precisely, he present |
Cd himself at the portals of the great |
club IN Pail Mall and encountered Mr.
Cockerill in the hall. He made his |
report. which his employer received
with q sight Of deep relief. Then he
turned to go.
you don't seem very we'll yourself |
this mornig, Bliss" Mr.. Cockerill re-
marked kindly. "You must allow me.
II you please to offer you little tri1e
Tor this incursion into your day Of
rest. We will look upon it as thank
offering for Tommy's recovery"
Bliss waved the half-sovereign away
4 little incoherently. =
You'll forgive me, SIR" he begged.
II couldn't possibly take it-couldn't
I'll be there in good time in
The morning."
He hurried OF and passed outside
he club with an air Of relief He
wandered about the park for while,
lte = very modest dinner at his lodg-
ngs. and at four o'clock he travelled
,ut to Hampstead and rang the bell Of
! pleasant looking little house in
which was quite strange
o him.
Frances herself opened the door.
"Well!" she asked eagerly. as she
showed him into a little sitting room
Bliss put down his hat.
look here" he began don't think
ne unreasonable. but feel inclined 1
o say 'confound your Miss Morrison
We made beast Of myself. Miss
Clayton. have been through the
Whole of Mr.. Cockerill's papers. NV