Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-25
THE CURIOUS QUEST
of MR.. ERNEST BLISS
BY E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Co

Complete Tue purchase OF an estate.
What is the penalty" Bliss in
quired, "for forgery"
Anything up to fourteen years,
Mr.. Darlington replied. $50 far as
you're concerned, you'd get off with
half that The thing isis it worth
it? / don't mind telling you frankly
that life isn't worth living to me un
less I can live it as gentleman.
might as well be doing penal servi
, tude as living on the cheap touting
for few shillings; drifting away
from my friends; having to give up
my clubs.
I've thought this over pretty care:
fully, l can tell you, and I made up
my mind long ago that II the chance
came my way I'd go for one big coup
and have done with it. The chance
has come my way 1t came to me
first through this fellow, Cloves, Of
fering me his masters rooms, and
then through coming across you last
night"
Whereabouts is he?" Bliss asked
II mean, Clowes?"
Drinking" d.
"And Mr.. Bliss. Ia It certain that
he is not likely to turn up again at
any moment?'
1T doesnt seem likely, Mr.. Dor
rington answered. "They say he is
hiding in America. No one knows
what it's all about. but there are all
sorts Of queer rumors. | have heard
It said. too, that he has been seen in
London, dressed like a tramp. In any
case, he's got into some scrape, that's
certain. He wouldn't keep out of the
way for nothing, and he wouldn't
keep out of the way up till now, just
to come back again the moment we
try our little game. What do you say,
Brown? Are you disposed to soma
In"
Bliss stared at the carpet.
ut requires little consideration, y.
he said.
"If it's the risk your thinking
Of" MI. Darlington began.
1T isn't" Bliss interrupted. I'm
wondering"
We'll"
1T seems rather hard on this fel.
low, Bliss, doesn't it?"
Rubbish" Mr.. Darlington inter-
jected. ''The I fellows rolling In
money. He's millionaire-an, idle
young wastrel, who never did an
hours work in his life or stroke of
good for any one. It's wealth such 40
his that makes socialists Of men"
Bliss looked hard at his hands His
nails were broken and there vera
some very hard caIlouses on his fng-
ers.
II suppose you are right" he
agreed. when did you propose to try
this?"
What's the good Of putting it off?"
Mr.. Darlington demanded. 1--WE got
the signature perfect now. l suppose
you are ready? Why not today? I've
made my plans for getting away. /.
reckon that the affair Will not be dis
covered for some days Anyhow, I
I'm going to change my notes at
once, and leave for place won't
evtn tell you the name of. You must
make your own arrangements"
Gust So" Bliss murmured.
Are you ready or not?" Mr.. Dor
Fington asked.
"I'm on" Bliss decided.
Then we won't have any more
!oolfng about It," Mr.. Darlington de-
,lared, a little glitter coming into his
eyes. I'll take you into the bath |
Dom, and you can help yourself to /
my of Mr.. Bliss clothes you like. I'll
lave the check ready for you when
'ou come out. You can take taxi to |
he bank; be back here by twelve !
o'clock and then, by George, we'll |
make bolt. It's the one chance I've
'een waiting for all my life, this! I've
lever been able to make up my mind |
o this sort Of thing before, but
'oug fool, who leaves a hundred
nd sixty thousand pounds in the bank |
nd disappears deserves to lose IT,"
suppose you're right" Bliss |
ighed.
He suffered himself to be led into
he bath room and through into his
'wn dressing room. He looked with
ONE dismay at his greatly diminish
ID stock Of clothes. Then he opened
he glass door Of the wardrobe,
ianced at his rows of polished boots,
is immense selection of ties. and +
fingered one Of his shirts.
You seem handy at finding things"
ar. Darlington remarked.
Bliss nodded
II shouldn't mind a Job as valet.
II take bath first. II you don't
aind. There's plenty of time"
In three-quarters of an hour he re-
ppeared in the sitting room. Mr..
,orrington glanced at him, impatient
= at first, but afterward with sort
I reluctant admiration.
by Jove!" he exclaimed. "You
ave me quite start. You do look
ne part and no mistake"
"Give me the check" Bliss begged. b
may as we'll get the thing over"
Mr.. Darlington pushed 1t across the
able. Bliss scrutinized it carefully.
hen he thrust 1t into his waistcoat 4
ocket.
IF anything should happen that
here's trouble" Mr.. Darlington said,
telephone me If you can safely-1372 u
layfair. You won't lose your nerve
r anything IL
II don't think so.< Bliss answered. {
There's no mistake about It. YOU {
o look the part" Mr.. Darlington as
lred him. You're not quite so I
Terminate or so much dandy as
Dung Bliss, but except for that. X
on re a G like him no fr, na,. ..r |