Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07
THE CURIOUS QUEST
of MR.. ERNEST BLISS
y E. PHILLIPS OPPENHE
CoDyricht. The Frank A. Munsey Co


A shrill voice greeted him:
"Oh. you bad young man. Bad
young mani"
Bliss dropped his hat and forgot to
pick it up. Exactly opposite to him,
perched upon the mantlepiece, was a
gray parrot with it's head on one side
and knob of sugar in it's claw. Five
canaries shared a cage which hung be.
fore one window. and two bullfinches,
smaller one, suspended from the
ceiling.
A third bullfinch was hopping about
the top of Derby desk, at which was
seated an elderly gentleman, gray.
haired. with pink and white complex.
ion, gold-rimmed spectacles and a
type Of countenance almost Cheeryble-
like in it's benevolence.
Come in, sir. come in," Mr.. Cock
erill invited. Don't mind my birds
They're little noisy, but they're very
companionable.
NOW what can do for you today?''
Bliss recovered his composure to
some extent. He picked up his hat
and stood before the desk
81 had your name from Smithson' 8
registry Office" he announced. 81
called about the situation of light
porter"
MIRO. Cockerill shook his head at
once
mot bit of good. my young
friend he declared, pleasantly, but
firmly.
mot a bit Of good" the parrot
screched from the mantlepiece.
Bliss turned toward the door.
well, Of course. if you both think
So" he began; with an angry glance
toward the bird.
Stop a moment" Mr. Cockerill
exclaimed. "A sense of humor, / per.
Iceive. Most unusual Come here and
let me look at you-round this side
Of the desk"
Bliss obeyed promptly.
His blue serge suit was now show
ing considerable signs of wear His
Bond street socks were no longer in
evidence. His patent shoes. the
triumph of a fashionable maker had
been replaced by heavy ready-made
boots. His cheeks were little sunken.
although his eyes were bright. He
wore a flannel collar, and his tie was
still neat.
mo physique" he declared. mo
physique at all. Not what I am look
ing for, young man. Very sorry.
Here's a shilling for your trouble"
ut isn't shilling l want" Bliss re-
piled desperately, "it's job Why
won't l do? They told me at the Office
you wanted light porter. Is there
any heavy work."
Mr.. Cockerill stroked his chin
Not exactly heavy work." he ad.
mitted. THE duties would be to clean
out and feed the birds every morning
Tommy, by the bye, is very particu-
lar about his cold bath" he added.
pointing to the bullflnch who was still
hopping about on the top of the desk
announce the visitors to me, and 60
on errands."
well, you don't want a Sandow for
that job" Bliss protested.
Mr.. CockeriI sighed.
"My young friend" he said, "I will
make a confession. am an exceed
ingly nervous person. As you may per
ceive from my surroundings. ! am a
man Of peace. | have never been
trained in the art Of self defense. My
muscles are flabby. ! have absolute
ly no physical strength. l am a ner-
vous man. Up here. am as 1T were.
cut off from the rest Of the world.
sit here at my labors, and l am at the
mercy Of any chance caller who might
enter these rooms with burglarious or
personally indicative feelings"
~ don't quite understand" Bliss
confessed. little puzzled. do you
get many visitors?"
Not many" Mr.. Cockerili replied.
"But still, visitors do find their way
here. have business which brings
me callers, and am reputed to be
wealthy. Another confession, young
man." he added. dropping his voice a
little, 81 read the police news, and it
always seems to me that am an ideal
subject for a brutal assault. That is
one reason why desire the services
Of light porter He sits outside, and
II have an undesirable visitor. sum-
mon him. He enters and protects me.
There you are"
why I could do that" Bliss insist
ed 81 may not be very strong. but
am no coward"
Mr. Cockerill rose 10 his feet. He
was exceedingly well-dressed in a
morning coat and dark gray trousers,
broad-toed shoes, wonderfully polish
ed, with white linen CATERS. black
ribbon fob hung from his waistcoat,
and from his neat tie sparkled dia-
mond pin
Even IT, he remarked regretfully.
am taller than you. How could you
stop me If tried to rush from the
ROOM"
would you like me to show you?"
Bliss asked.
you couldn't do it.
Bliss stretched out his arm twisted
a little to one side. and bent his left
knee. Mr.. Cockerill struggled up
from the carpet to a sitting posture
and readjusted his spectacles. He
was not the least bit angry, but he
seemed very much impressed.
How the devil did you do that?"
he demanded.
"Jiu-jitsu." Bliss answered.
"Jiu-jitsu.' the parrot screamed.
thrusting its head forward ooh
Lord!''
Il know several more Bliss contin-
ned "Had sOme lessons once from a