The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-06-17
THE UNKNOWN
MR.. KENT
GEORGE H. DORIAN CO. 1916 copYR1Gr.

that was why he was going; but he
lied, this being his blunt idea Of dip
lomacy as employed in many IA
tional and social circles.
And so, having lied when he stat
ed that he was going abroad in be-
half of the formidable Mr.. Rhodes
the squarejawed Mr.. Kent was now
turned loose on war-stricken Europe
for a holiday to wander as his
what erratic fancy dictated, and
cheerfully agreeing with himself
that he didn't care a continental
cuss" where the renowned John
Rhodes was, what he was doing,
what he wanted to do, or what he
did. All that Mr.. Kent, the agent, de-
sired, was that Mr.. Rhodes, the fin
ancier, should leave him, Mr.. Kent,
undisturbed. He was rebellious.
"1chc Rhodes" said ne TO nim-
SELF" has bossed me around and
run me here and there, like a small
boy hopping a cat over hurdles in
the cellar, until I'm sick and tired of
1t. He's pair me we'll, and I'm fairly
well off; but I've sur earned every
cent 1 eve got out Of him. He's
gone on a long vacation. So shall 1.
And If John Rhodes doesn't like it
he a go to-; but at that point
Of his meditations caution, or per-
haps some Of his loyalty to Rhodes
overcame his disregard of that ami
able employer under whom he had
prospered, and caused him to take
the precaution of leaving word with
sundry bankers OF New York, Lon
don, Paris, Berlin and Vienna where
Rhodes could find him il desiring
his services.
And, so strong is the habit o.: dis.
cipline and obedience, on second
thought he arranged that mails
might be forwarded enclosed in pro
tectiye envelopes, keeping him in.
formed concerning certain financial
transactions entrusted to him 81
Mr.. Rhodes. From all of which it
might be conjectured that, despite
his mutinous disposition, he cauti-
ously realized that, without the fat
commissions afforded by John
Rhodes, Richard Kent might shrivel
as thin as a living skeleton in a
freak museum, and be compelled to
seek another patron endowed with
purse, power, and authority.
Mr.. Rhodes disappearance was
noted; MI. Kent's wasn't. Watch.
full fi%nanciers rumored it that Mr..
Rhodes was travelling in the far
East intent on new plumber; but
about Mr.. Kent there were no rum
ors at all, and for the simplest of
reasons, that Kent had hoped com
pletely beyond the reach Of rumor:
had hoped almost out Of the pm.
known world, beyond finance, rail-
ways, automobiles, and state high
ways, into the unknown, unchang.
ing. Sixteenth century village of !
Steinweg. Accompanied only by his
factotum, Ivan, who for years had
gone with him, everywhere, he. had |
found in Steinweg his two great OBJ
jects, fish and freedom. Probably he
would not have admitted Iii ssenti. ! !
mental or artistic interest in the !
quaint village itself, WITH it's single
crooked street, lined by houses
whose gables seemed forever to /
reach across and whisper of con-
spiracies, the next robber baron
raid, or the public flaying of some
poor wretch accused Of stealing a
purse or a ham. He might have ad-
mitted the comfort within the old |
houses, once n had passed
through the low doors to the cool
interiors where low ceilings, heavy
beams, ancient fire-places, black
ened wainscotings and all, were
lighted by the cross shadows cast
through the narrow windows with /
tiny loaded panes. This would have
been his excuse for renting one of
those quaint houses in the quaint
street-renting it and all it contain
ed, including the aged but compel
emit widow who owned it. Proof Of
his daring! It requires nerve to rent
a widow, although anybody can rent
. house.
(To be Continued Next Week)