Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-14
THE CURIOUS QUEST
Of Mr.. ERNEST BLISS

Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Co.

j as you dared through the usual chan
nels, and you've backed it for great
deal more outside. You've brough.
, the price from a hundred to one to
a hundred to eight, and yet on paper
any one who knows anything about
racing knows that the horse can not
possibly have a chance"
$50 you've come down here in the
middle of the night to ask me this?"
her brother observed uneasily. well.
my reply is simple enough. 1t isn't
your money I've backed the horse
with, and it isn't your business"
IT'S my business" the girl in
sisted, ito see that you keep straight.
Jack, and there's something on my
mind that / have got to get rid of.
I've come down here not only to ask
this question, but I'm going to see Mr..
Pontifex"
What the mischief do you want to
see the horse for?" the young man
asked quickly.
Never mind why l wish to see it.,
am going to, so you may as we'll
make up your mind to It,"
The two men exchanged glances.
Better stay the night, and you can
go round to the stables in the morn.
ing" her brother suggested
Thank YOU" she answered, moth
ing would induce me to spend night
under this roof You seem to forget
the circumstances under which I left
it,"
She threw a glance at BROMLEY,
who laughed brutally.
81 don't want to lose my temper,
Jack" she went on. you are my
brother, and | mustn'e forget it. al
though you seem to when you let that
brute insult me. However, are you
going to show me MT. Pontifex, or
not?"
The younger man rose to his feet.
frowning. He drew BROMLEY on one
piciously.
Then BROMLEY left the room. and
the brother and sister lowered their
voices.
Bliss moved little further back
into the avenue He was puzzled
The girl had distinctly said that she
had no idea Of spending the night
there. Yet his orders had been to
leave her.
While he hesitated he saw the three
of them emerge from the house by the
side door. cross the strip of lawn to-
gether and pass through gate into
the courtyard in front of the long line
of stables. Almost Immediately after
ward he saw an electric light fash out.
He stood and watched.
Thnv dico pDeored into opa Of tho
stalls and were absent for nearly
twenty minutes. He heard Brownley's
hoarse voice as they passed near the
bushes behind which he stood.
For Gods sake muzzel the internal
fool" he exclaimed excitedly. 81 tell
you. Jack, u any one hears the rub
bish she's talking, we're ruined, mani
Ruined you most certainly will
be-" the girl said firmly, "if you try
on game like this"
Don't be fool" her brother an.
swered. There isn't a living person
except you who can say that that
horse you've just seen is not Mr.. Pom
tifex. There isn't soul who doesn't
believe that Prince George was Shot
We had it'-done here, vet was pres
ent and it was in all the papers. Why
even the vet, even Jecks, the stable
lad. couldn't have told the two horses
apart, and they were the same age to
a week. Don't be an idiot, Kate It's
q clear thirty thousand pounds for
us and five for you if you keep your
mouth shut"
They passed into the house. all talk.
ing together. Bliss, with little shrug
of the shoulders, turned back down
the avenue and mounted once more
into the car. He had stumbled on to
a conspiracy Of sine sort, and there
were certain features about it which
made him little uneasy
4 Hiss own WEAKNESS, however, made
him almost callous as to what was
Once more he dozed Off
He awoke with start. The morn
ing was breaking and it seemed to
him that it was colder than ever.
Close at hand down the avenue he
heard the girls flying footsteps. Be-
hind he could distinguish the voice of
her brother
Don't be fool, BROMLEY Keep
your hands off her. She'll come back
when she finds the car gone"
IF she gets away BROMLEY ex.
claimed, "we're done, | tell you We
must keep her here, locked up. III
take care of her my self" with an
oath. III see she tells no tales."
She suddenly turned the corner. and
gave a little cry of relief when she
saw Bliss, who was already starting
the engine. She leaped into the car.
Drive off, she begged Drive of.
They told me you had gone. Thank
God that you are here!"
Bliss sprang' past her into his seat
and they glided off. Just then the two
men appeared at the gate.
THAT blighted chauffeur's back"
he Numbered. They're Off You fool
Jack, Why didn't you look after herr"
Kate, Kate!'' her brother shouted
Come back. Well talk it over with
you!"
They were out Of hearing almost d.
rectly rushing across the heath The
girl had lowered her veil. Bliss had
an idea that she was crying.
He drove steadily on until he came
TO turning to the left. Then he drew !
up.
~