The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1918-05-30

the shirt didn't even have the sense to
fake bullet holes Enough to make
> one lose all interest in the case" he
added disgustedly.
Doctor Hoff began Juggling at his
side-whiskers. Don't do nothing like
that, he pleaded. Come with me to
Cincinnati. If he amt dead they've
I kidnapped him for ransom"
| Then Cincinnati is the last place on
the map to look. Was he particularly
drunk the day before he Disappeared"
mo. He was sober. An he was
studyin', Spanish"
Spanish, Ell? How did you know
about his studying?"
Seen the professor in the house."
Someone you knew"
mo. l asked him. Roddy was sore
because l found out what he was up
to-"
Upon that point Average Jones med
itated moment.
"Did you see this Spanish professor
again?" he inquired presently.
| Now that you speak of it, didn't
! see him but the once"
! Can you leave for Toledo on to-
nights train?"
You're goin' to take the case,
them" the quack clawed nervously at
his professional white whiskers.
whats your terms?" he demanded.
/ THAT I'm to have full control and
hot 10 fal pr1a oiu
them"
Doctor Hoff swallowed that with
gulp. You're on" he said finally.
Average Jones' first call, on arriving
at Toledo, was at the business office of
the Daily Saw, in which he inserted
the following paragraph on a repeat
until-stopped order:
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN SPANISH.
One with recent experience preferred.
Apply between and 10 a. m. Doctor Hoff,
800 Fairfield Avenue.
Thence he climbed the stairs to the
den of the city editor, who obligingly
furnished further details regarding
"Rickey" Hoff, as he called the young
man
1.-THE worst of 1t u.s." said the news
paper man, that there are elements
of decency about the young cub, if he'd
keep sober. But there's nothing else
for him to do, so he just fights booze.
Better make few inquiries at Silent
Charley's."
What's that?"
Quiet little bar kept by laxative
Swede. Hickey Hoff hung out there
lot Charley even had a room fixed
up for him to lay off in when he was
too picked to go home"
Would-er-young Hoff-er-per-
haps keep a few-er-extra clothes
there?" asked Average Jones, seem
ingly struggling with a yawn.
The city editor stared. "Oh, dare
say. He used to end his sprees pretty
much mussed up"
THAT would perhaps explain where
the shirt came FROM" murmured the
Advisor. Much obliged for the sug-
gestion. I'll just step around"
Silent Charley" he found ready,
even eager to talk. Yes; "Rickey"
Hoff had been in his place right along.
Drunk? No; not even drinking much
lately. Two other gentlemen had met
him there quite often. They sat in
the back room and talked. No, neither
of them was Spanish. One was big and
clean-shaven and wore silk hat. They
called him Colonel" A swell dresser.
The other man drank gin, and lot of
it. His name was Fred. He was very
tanned. One day there had been hot
discussion over a sheet of paper that
lay on the table in front of the three
men in the back room. "Rickey" had
called messenger boy and sent him
out for a geography. Il told you there
wasn't any such thing there" the
saloon keeper heard him say triumph
antly, when the geography arrived.
Then Fred replied: "To hill with you
and your schoolbook; 1 tell you I've
waded across it." The colonel
smoothed things over and it ended in
magnum of champagne being or
dered.
"And you haven't seen any of them
since, suppose?"
Mary one"
On his return to the Hoff mansion
the investigator found the head there
of in state of great excitement.
Say, I've found out something he
cried. "Roddy's gone to Yurrup."
where did you find that out?"
asked Average Jones with smile.
II been going through his papers
like you told me. He's been Quitting
for a trip. Bought lots of truck the
last few days and found the duplicate
sale checks that come in the packages.
There's stubs for a steamer rug and for
a dope for seasickness and for COM
pass" he concluded triumphantly.
Compass, eh?" observed Average
Jones thoughtfully. Anything else?"
Lots of clothes. Cheap stuff most
iy. Khaki riding pants, neglyjee shirts
and such-like. Colored glasses. Per-
manganate of potash outfit"
Snake country" commented the
other
Patent water still"
Average Jones leaned forward.
Taken with the compass, it means
q small-boat trip on salt water. Let
me see the list"
He ran his eye down the paper. Then