Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-09
THE CURIOUS QUEST
Of MR.. ERNEST BLISS
bv E, PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Co.

I've been in regular funk about
skidding." Bliss confessed.
"They all are at first the con.
ductor replied. I'm going to stand
you one"
They had a drink together, and
Bliss left for home, somehow little
cheered by the others sympathy.
The next day, as he brought his
omnibus to a standstill at the corner
of the Strand and Waterloo Bridge
Road, he saw a familiar figure staring
up at him from the pavement, open
mouthed and wondering. 1t was Mr..
Crawley
Bliss kept an. immovable counte.
nance, and Mr.. Crawley, recovering
from his stupefaction, made a plunge
for the bus. At the next stopping
place, Bliss heard his panied voice on
the pavement beside him.
my dear Mr.. Bliss!" he gasped.
"My dear young sir! l am most
shocked! For Heavens sake be rea.
sonable!"
Bliss leaned toward him.
Hello. Crawley" he exclaimed.
How are things?'
Mr.. Crawley was bereft of words,
He stretched across from the curb
stone and laid his hand upon the
others shoulder.
Yesterday" he announced in q
hoarse whisper. II invested thirty
eight thousand pounds for you"
81 hope you remember what | told
you," Bliss observed, "and kept clear
of English Rails. South America and
the Argentine are the countries fancy
just now"
Il have remembered your instruc-
tons, sir" Mr.. Crawley assured him.
Il only mention the matter of invest
ment at all because the situation is SO
absolutely absurd. insist"
Look here,' Bliss interrupted,
that's the bell and I'm of. If you
say word to me, except when we're
standing still, why, you'll nave to leave
my bus that's all. Now, jump on be-
hind, if you want to. and I'll talk to
you at the next stop"
They drove on for about quarter
of an hour. Then, as Bliss drew in to
the side of the street at one of his
regular hating places, Mr.. .Crawley
appeared once more by his side.
I'm giving up" he said. IAN i'm
portant appointment in the city, in
order to reason with you. I insist
upon an explanation. Where your bus
goes, I go!"
rs that poetry?' Bliss murmured.
ut sounds familiar"
Mr.. Crawley reached over with his
umbrella and tapped his client vigor--
ously upon the shoulder
Young man." he exclaimed! "You
a millionaire! Look at you! There
pardon my referring to it-a hole
= your trousers
Your hands are uncomfortable"
Mr.. Crawley continued, "and your
collar, your tie--for Heavens sake"
he burst out, what's it, all mean?
You used to be one of the most care.
fully turned out young men in Lon
don. Finicky we used to think you
sometimes. And there you sit on
bit of sacking, in positive rags. with
your hands all over grease, a smut on
your nose, an omnibus driver and
looking the part. What the devil"
In a matter of forty-nine days"
Bliss interrupted. 81 shall resume my
position as sane member of society.
Between ourselves" he went on quiet
ly, Il don't think shall ever be quite
the same Ernest Bliss whom you used
to know, but apart from that |
promise you shall have nothing to
of. Until then, the less |
see of you the better"
Mr.. Crawley hustled back to the
rear. They were off again, and Bliss
was sitting forward with his eyes
glued upon the road and his hands
firmly upon the wheel
1t was ten minutes before further
opportunity for conversation arose.
SIS there nothing whatever can
do?" Mr.. Crawley asked, as he came
round again to the front of the bus.
There isl Bliss replied I'm
glad you haven't gone. Memory as
good as ever?"
81 think So" Mr.. Crawley rejoined
please go to No 81 Overton
Square. then, Inquire about young
lady, Miss Frances Clayton. See
she is in employment or not.
Let me have all particulars tomorrow.
You'll find me doing this same
stretch"
l IL oSC W IL Will u cat plcdSuTG,
Mr.. Crawley promised, scribbling
down the address. ANY commission
that has CLEAN of common sense
about it"
Got anything to smoke with
your Bliss interrupted suddenly.
Mr.. Crawley produced -. morocco
leather case. One side was filed with
cigars, the other with cigarettes. Bliss
eyes lit up as he transferred the
whole Of its contents to his pockets.
you can get some more, you
know" he said alphabetically. You'd
better hop it now. We've got clear
run before us to Golder'3 Green. and
you don't want to go there"
Mr.. Crawley hailed a passing taxi
cab. Bliss and the conductor started
On the cigarettes.
Rum old toff that was talking to
you" the latter remarked my eye!
What smokes."
Used to be my lawyer before RI
blew 1t in" Bliss confided. Queer
old bird, but he means WELL"
CHAPTER xxx.
A Reluctant Promise.
On the next morning. almost at the
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