Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-13
Too Much EFFICIENCY
by ]. E.. Rath.

a.. [NdtN.
Big talk observed Mr.. Brooke
shaking his head.
Big talk means big results with me
This company never fails. It can't, be
cause it simply applies right principles
in the right way. What we do is really
very simple-when you know how
while l wouldn't expect too much
said the hardware man slowly, lit
would be great comfort for me to
know. seeing that I'm going away. that
things would be in charge Of somebody
WHO
Il see we are going to do business
interrupted Mr.. Sherwood.
"Oh. | didn't say so. But | was Just
thinking"
Mr.. Brooke faltered and looked
guilty.
Wen get this on paper at once"
said the f. and f. president.
He pushed three buttons on the
edge of his desk. One operated a silent
signal in front of the stenographer
with the dark hair and pink cheeks.
She arose quietly and approached
with book in hand. The second button
caused the immediate appearance of
a clerk carrying a set Of legal papers.
The third button actuated the electric
ofice-boy, who shot noiselessly into
the room and came to a stop at Mr..
Sherwood's elbow. Mr.. Brooke viewed
the swift mobilization of forces with a
feeling that he was about to take one
nP tho nNyn0nfn1Ic ctons 0f life
CHAPTER u.
III. HEDGE, E. F."
The deeptoned clock in the en-
%trance-hall of the Brooke mansion
lacked one minute of seven. Horace,
the butler, had taken his stand in
front Of it. watching the great minute
hand crawl slowly along the last stage
Of its hourly journey. Ere that journey
would be ringing at the
door, probably when fifteen seconds of
the hour remained. For Mr.. Brooke,
being a punctual business man, was an
equally punctual father.
There was a faint expression of per-
and disappointment on the rud-
dy countenance Of Horace when there
came a sharp ring at the bell, with full
ly forty-fve seconds Of the hour re-
naming. The, butler sensed something
unusual. The master was ahead of
time; also. there was a note Of i'm
patience in his ring. Horace went to
the door with an indefinable trepida-
ton of spirit.
II was not ]. w. Brooke who stood
in the vestibule.
The ringer OF the bell was a much
younger person. He glanced at the but
Ter sharply, then motioned to a large
grip that rested beside him.
Mine" he said briefly. Take it in,
please"
Immediately he stepped past the
and entered the Brooke man.
Horace momentarily forgot the
stranger in his contemplation OF the
grip. Somehow the grip seemed por-
tentous. 1t signifed mystery to the
butler. He took a step forward. The
limousine was not at the curb.
This was another extraordinary thing.
Nor was there the least sign of Mr..
Brooke. who should at that instant. &C
cording to established order. have
been standing in front Of the butler,
Good evening, Horace"
With a gasp that was only half sup
pressed. Horace turned quickly and en-
tered the house. picking up the grip
as he did so. The bag was heavy and
evidently we'll filled.
The stranger was standing in the
hall, contemplating with plain disfavor
a knight in armor, or, rather, a suit of
had no knight within. He turn
ed as Horace appeared.
where are the children?' he ask
ed.
Horace stared. The familiarity of
know this person who asked for "the
Children but he did know that he
an utter stranger to the Brooke
mansion.
Mr.. Brooke is not home yet. sir
Certainly not. He won't be. Where
are the children?"
The stranger whipped off his over
coat and handed that garment, to-
with his hat, TO Horace. who
received them mechanically, after tho
Of an excellent servant. Yet
the butler. for all his outward calm.
was an agitated person within. Mr..
would not be there. Extra.
ordinary, Yes. even ominous. Such a
hing had never happened before.
Where was he?
Horace involuntarily glanced down
at the grip, which he still car.
ried. 1t was strangely heavy. Could it
be possible that his master Oh, hor-
rors. no!
The children are in the library, sir
to the right"
The stranger wheeled and walked
quickly In the given direction. AS he
disappeared through the portieres
Horace was still standing in the hall,
to his burden and staring
with open mouth.
The library of the Brooke mansion
was a very large room, nearly half of
The width Of the house and than
its depth. 1t was a real library;
that is. it contained books. Two PAGES
side the doorway the stranger paus-
I'd and glanced alertly about him.
Off in a far corner was a young
man. yawnng over a newspaper. In the
ambrasure of a window was a half