The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-06-24
Kent, was involved, and a financial

it. And there were many other
agents Who
He twitted his big, capable fingers
together and muttered some un.
pleasant ob%jurgations consigning
Karl II, the Marken state loan, and
John Rhodes. Unfortunately, to
the outer world. 1t was his plain
duty, as he was well aware, to trav-
ell without delay to Marker and do
what he could to protect Rhodes
interests, and that might mean the
end OF his vacation, and the trout
were at their best. Scowling, he
he swung to his desk, unlocked a
drawer, took therefrom a steel dis
patch box, unlocked that, and sought
a paper which he opened and scaned
1t was aSprivate report he had
caused to be made on Marker af-
fairs, and, that it's substance
was recalled and his memory re-,
freshed, it did not appear to add to
his mental comfort. He used one or
two very vigorous Americanisms,
and replaced paper and box in the
desk. He thumped vigorously on the
floor with his heel and when the
huge man in the corner, feeling the
shock, looked Up, addressed him in
a voiceless whisper of the lips.
Ivan, have you happened to learn
anything about a revolt over in Mar
ken? You see more of these tongue
wagging peasants than 1 do"
The giant advanced to the desk
across which he spoke.
mo, sir, not exactly a revolution;
but l heard they we're discontinued
over there. Some of the villagers
said-you know it is an autocratic
government"
Eyes. Autocratic government with
a man born to the job who doesn't
happen to be a real, good, all-wool-
yard-wide autocrat. Good deal like
a fellow being born to inherit a
farm whose nearest idea he has of
a plough is al ice scraper for cock
tails" .g1 "
Whilst Kent spoke Tvan's eyes
were fixed on his lips, attentively;
but discerning that his employers
speech was at an end, he slowly
wagged his massive head, and added
all his information.
"They say sir, that the king is
credited with being a well-meaning
man, but not just the one to advance
the kingdom. They are fraid Marken
win be swallowed by some of the
big fish around it."
That's where an autocrat comes |
in," declared Kent "a firstclass
%autocrat ought to be a big enough
fish to go out, and, under the guise
of charity, culture, or some other
bosh like that, swallow the other
fellow first Any sort Of an excuse
will do. just SO he eats them, dead
or alive. I'm rather a believer in
autocrats, myself. Now, II I were
advising Karl the Second, I'd say"
he stopped abruptly, interrupted
by a prolonged peal of thunder. and
when It died away there became
audible a terrific humping and thum-
ing on the floor outside as some
n knocked for ingress. At the
same moment the door from the
kitchen opened hurriedly, and the
gnarled widow entered.
Some one wants in-some one
who raps on the outside door," she
grumbled.
well, let them in," said Kent,
and Ivan, reading his lips, straight
ened up and stepped backward to
his corner intent on withdrawing
himself now that others desired
audience with his employer.
CHAPTER TWO.
The widow opened the door lead
ing from the roo to the little storm
entrance, a mere square of vestibule,
and withdrew the bolts from the
outer door. She swung it wide and
stepped back. Instantly, as if already
rendered impatient by the delay
. man stepped inside. A long rain
coat dripped water on the floor and
the visor OF his military cap trick
led until, annoyed, he jerked 1t from
his head and wiped his brow with
his hand. He appeared to be scarcely
more than thirty years of age, and
Of slender frame, but with an erect
carriage that lent him a false dim
ension Of height. s.1
Close behind him crowded a burly
gray-haired man with fierce NOUS
taches demanding more attention
than any other part of his face, who
pursed his lips and blew the water
this adornment with a single loud,
explosive "Poof!" His eyes. round.
pale. and staring. almost childlike
but appraising, fixed themselves on
70 -L. A4 49, ks xA E a4IL A 49, -