Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-31
THE CURIOUS QUEST
of MR.. ER NEST BLISS
BY E, PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
Copyright. The Frank a. Munsey Co.

Selves. tHduk YOU, He Sdlu. stay
where you are"
Parkins, however, still stood his
ground.
strangers are not permitted in the
club" he protested II cannot allow
you to pass
The taller of the two newcomers
laid his hand upon the servants
shoulder.
Look here he declared. I'VE
don't want any trouble. We are from
Scotland Yard, and We are here in
the execution of our duty. If you at
tempt to communicate with any one
in the club you will be arrested"
They passed on then along the cor
ridor. after a glance at Bliss, who sat
all this time with his heel upon the
bell. Parkins turned toward him.
Cant think what they've got in
their heads, sir" he remarked audibly
There's a police officer outside. I'm
sure there's nothing wrong goes on
here"
Bliss rose and followed the two off,
GERS. They looked into the card room.
where the four people were still play
ing bridge. They examined the other
and smaller card room, which was
empty. Then they opened the dor of
the secretary's Office, which was also
empty. They stood for moment
whispering together.
"There must be a room beyond
this" Bliss heard one of them say.
you see where the wall ends"
They made their way to the further
end of the apartment The room was
in darkness and they could see very
little.
why don't you turn on the electric
lights, Harrison?" the inspector de-
! manded.
i've tried, SIR" his subordinate re-
piled. lingering the switch.
"The electric lights in this room are
out of order, sir" Parkins announced
stiff1y.
I The inspector drew little electric
torch from his pocket. Immediately
on his left was door shielded by a
curtain. He drew back the latter and
turned the handle Of the door, which
opened at once. They all stood upon
the threshold, gazing in.
The prince. Mrs Fortescue, Mr..
Fancourt. and one other of the ladies
were seated at a table, apparently
playing bridge. Two Of the men We're
lounging against the mantlepiece,
talking to another lady Miss Masie
was sitting on the arm of the princes
chair.
The inspector came little further
into the room, his eyes glued upon the
bridge table. The dummy's hand was
apparently half-played.
Mr.. Fancourt stared at the intryd-
ers. MAY ask what this means"
he demanded
The inspector was completing d
| tour Of the room. There was nothing
whatever to indicate that the game of
bridge which was now proceeding had
not been occupying the sole attention
of the players.
II am here in the execution of my
duty, sir" the man replied. 81 am
Police-Inspector Standard We have
had certain information that baccarat
is being played in this club"
| Mr.. Fancourt shook his head sor
rowfully.
"Oh, that certain information! he
sighed. 81 think that the same thing
has been said about every bridge club
in London where the stakes are over
half crown hundred Never mind.
Mr.. Inspector. if you will ask the
waiter for drink am sure he will
be delighted to furnish whatever you
may require. You will excuse me if
finish this hand?"
The inspector turned away with
stiff dignity. Once more he made
somewhat protracted tour Of the room
then he moved toward the door.
Sorry to have disturbed you. ladies
and gentlemen" he said CURLY.
Good night"
The two men left the room Bliss
remained behind. They heard the door
Of the outer room closed. The prince
threw dowu-his cards pettishly.
LET us make ready again. he sug-
gested
| Mr.. Fancourt shook his head
you must excuse us, prince" he
said II don't think we dare risk it.
You shall have your revenge another
might"
The prince sat there frowning
heavily.
And they call this a free country"
he muttered as he drew his check
book from his pocket
Bliss, who had, on the whole, rather
enjoyed his evening, presented him.
self at Mr.. Fancourt's rooms the next
morning with a somewhat detected
air
The latter stared at him in mild sur
prise His new disciple had resumed
: the somewhat tattered habilments in
which he had made his first appear
ance there.
81 am sorry Bliss, announced
bluntly, "but I have made a dis
covery'
"a discovery" Mt Fancourt muir
INJURED
Bliss nodded.
81 can't argue the mater out" he
declared, because so far as last nigh.
was concerned at any rate. my SYM
pathies were altogether on the side OF
the goats. All the same. can't stick
it,
conscience, eh?"
Bliss assented.