The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-22

ly calm being grew greater. Quite
| privately he read his will to see that
it was as he would have 1t: he went
over his papers to see that his affairs
were in good shape. 50 that he might
not give his executors too much
trouble. He was worried, and deeply
worried.
The famous paper-hanger-d detective.
when the telephone bell rang, was in
his room on the second floor OF the
Opera House Block. bending over his
open folding bed. taking q ladies' skirt
from a large cardboard box. On the
! skirt was a tag reading: skirt. Dis
guise No. 43-F." Underneath the
written legend was printed a sun. with
rays, rising out of a sea of waves. All
of this indicated that Philo Gubb had
just received by express, from the Ris-
ing Sun Detective Bureaus Cores
pondence School of Detecting's Supply
Department, the merchandise listed in
| that departments catalogue as mo.
43-F; Female Book-Agent, Complete
| with Wig and Book Estate whether
blone or brunette desired, $2s0oP and
i that Mr.. Gubb was examining this most
recent addition to his excellent and ex-
tensive collection of DISCUSSES. He
dropped the skirt and turned to the
| telephone on the wall.
| "Yesm, I'm he-yes'm. can come
right away Immediately. Into what
capacity Of profession does Mr.. Rollop
wish to consult me into-as a decora-
| tive artist or deteckative?"
| "Mr. Gubb wants to know whether
| you want him as a decorator or de-
tective," Miss Murgatroyd repeated to
Mr.. Rollop.
For a moment Mr.. Rollop stared al
| his desk. Tell him I want him as a
decorator" said Mr.. Rollop. a certain
| indebtedness being a part Of his nature
Mr.. Cub. with three sample books
| Of wall paper under his arm, hastened
| to Mr.. Rollop's home. Miss Murgat-
royd had neglected to tell Mr.. Gubb he
was wanted at the office.
| The RoIlop home was a handsome
edifce, designed by a Chicago archi-
tect. according to Mr.. Rollop's own
! ideas Of what a prominent and wealthy
| citizens home should be. Being sopie-
what conservative, Mr.. Rolop had ord.
cred only sixteen towers and spires put
on tho house: but these were SO hap
| PLY placed that the house looked like
a connoisseur's collection of church
steeples put out to air on top Of a
valuable collection OF red brick bay
and bow windows. Any aviator flying
over Wr. RouOps mousse must nave
shivered with horror: the least sir
Of the motor and he must have beer
| impaled on at least three spires. The
doorway was indicated by two red
granite pilasters shaped like inverted
| cofins. On these were engraved the
| house number. The imaginative per-
son approaching the front door always
had q feeling Of discomfort. Traced
| to It's source, this was found to come
from the thought: my. would be un-
comfortable in my comm IL was stood
/ on my head" This was suggested by
the granite pilasters.
Mr.. Gubb had no such feeling. He
rang the bell. removed his hat and
waited. In a moment a maid opened
| the door.
rs Mr. Rollop within sfde?" inquired
Mr.. Gubb.
Huh! Rollop? No, Mr.. Rollor
amt. nor Mrs. Rollop neither and Il
they was. they don't buy nothing from
peddlera anyway
Mr.. Gubb stiffened-
l I'm nlessed BE- let you know the