Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-25

Bliss produced the check and hand.
ed 1t over the counter. The manager
glanced at it, held it up and looked at
1T again.
Handwriting hasn't changed. has
it?' Bliss asked.
mot exactly" the cashier to whom
the manager passed the check. re.
piled hesitatingly. "All the same,
think that II this were presented by a
stranger, I should want it verified
Bliss shook the cashier by the hand
to the latter's establishment.
my congratulations" he said, 'the
check happens to be a forgery.
The two men looked at him dunn
founded.
my dear Mr.. Bliss" the manager
gasped do you know what you are
saying?"
Perfectly WE'LL" Bliss assented
Its too long story to enter into, but
the checks forgery. just wanted
to see what chance it had of being
passed. congratulate you both.
Bring me the book, and I'll change my
signature"
The cashier obeyed him. Bliss
signed his name with some slight al
terations, to which he called the at
tention of both Of them.
II can assure you. Mr.. Bliss" the
manager told him fervently, that we
will use the utmost discretion in hon
oring your checks but, at the same
time, feel bound to point out to you
that, in the interests Of every one
concerned, an attepted forgery Of
such serious character should be ex-
posed. trust that you intend to do
So"
gust So" Bliss agreed, folding up
the check and placing It in his waist
coat pocket. I'll think it over"
Bliss found the taxi-cab outside the
bank, and twenty minutes later he
walked boldly into the entrance Of
Arleton Court, receiving the astonish.
ed bow Of the hall-porter, whom no
met face to face, and assembled to his
rooms
Without the ceremony Of ringing he
let himself In with his own latchkey,
and made his way into the sitting.
room. Cloves was standing there
talking with some apparent excite
ment to Mr.: Darlington. At Bliss en-
trance, they both turned round.
Cloves face was TRANSPORTED. His
Jaw fell, his cheeks became ashen /,
gray.
guv'nor!'
"A compliment, that think" he
observed, turning to Bliss. BE on
now Cloves. I can't talk to you. Be
off quickly. Well?"
Bliss stood with his hands behind |
his back. gazing at the speaker
olankly.
who the devil are you, sir. order
ng my servant about In my rooms?"
le demanded.
"Capital!' Mr. Darlington ex-
But chuck it now, there's !
/ good fellow. Have you got the
Bliss laid his silk hat upon the
able.
Gloves. he said turning toward
The valet, will you explain to mo at
once who this person Is, and what he
8 doing in my rooms?"
Cloves collapsed. He had been i
heavily of late. and the shock
vas too much for him.
He went down on his knees.
II am sorry, sir" he sobbed. 1--WE
,een mad perfect fool! There was
lothing more to do here. and day by
lay 1t got on my nerves. l began to
ret q bit, and I lost. Then, to make
lp, let the rooms, just a. they were.
o this gentleman. thought he'd just
,eep them aired. and meant to hand
he money back to you.''
"You mean that you have allowed
omeone else to have the run Of my
them out?" Bliss ex-
laimed frowning. Pull yourself to-
ether, Cloves"
"It's the truth, sir" the men con-
essed. ~ was never so ashamed Of
lyself In my life. can't do more
han say I am sorry. sir! I'll make It
p, SIR, and I'm only praying that
ou've come back for good. It's too
ard Job to sit still and do nothing
rom morning until night. You tried
s all too hard. sir"
Mr.. Darlington crossed the room
nd stood within a few feet of Bliss.
lie looked at him with almost fierce
ltentness.
"Wfll you tell me who the devil you
rel" he demanded.
"Who l ann" Bliss repeated won.
eringly. my servant will tell you,
you want to know. I am Ernest
Hiss. I don't know II can blame
gu exactly for being here, II my
srvant's story is true. but shall
ave to ask you to turn out at once,
you please. II there's any rent
wing, you can keep 1t in lieu Of the
visionary weeks notice"
Give me back that check" Mr..
orrington gasped. +,
Bliss frowned as though he failed
} understand.
"You haven't been turning my
,oms into lunatic asylum by any
lance. have you Clowes?" he asked,
"Giye me back that check" Mr..
repeated, moistening his
ps with his tongue. Cant you hear
hat I say? What are you going to
, about it?"
Bliss was strolling around the room. ,
e Strengthened an engraving here.
look his head sorrowfully at tho
zen box of cigars, and removed some
lst from a little statuette with the
,rner ~ his handkerchief A Oueer