The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-11-28

The pumps with the scarlet socks
showing below the overalls, turned at
the end Of the broad hall and began
ascending the stairs. The young
mans manner was perfectly assured.
He had not taken his hands from his
pockets, and he carried himself with
an ease and cOInposure that set Dams
contectures at naught. In the alb
sence OF the family, "a servant might
Illus conduct himself; and yet, II
Thatcher was not at home, why
should he be thus Ushered into the
inner sanctities OF the mansion by
his singular young person, whose
TX hose and bright pumps were SO
tterly out Of harmony with the rest
If his garb. There might be trick
IN Il: perhaps he had intruded upon a
burglarious invasion-this invitation
10 the upper chambers might be for
the purpose Of shutting him In some
where until the place had been loot
cd. II was, in any case, a novel adj
venture and his curiosity was aroused
by the languid pace with which.
without pausing at the second floor.
the young man continued on to the
third. HarwOOd grasped his stick
more firmly when they gained the
third floor. If violence was in the
program he meant to meet il gal
lantly. His conductor passed through
a spacious bedroom. and led the way
10 a pleasant lounging and reading
room with walls lined with books.
without pausing he flung open a door
that divulged a shop, with Il bench
and tools The litter of carpentry on
the bare floor testified TO the room S
recent use.
sit down. won't you, and have
cigar?"
Dan hesitated He felt that he
must be the victim Of a practical joke.
and II was time that his dignity as
serted itself. He had accepted cigar
and was holding it in his fingers, still
standing. His strange guide struck
match and held it, so that Dan per +.
force took advantage Of the proffered /
fame: and he noticed now for the first /
time the young fellows slender, merry /
Gus hands. which bore so marks Of I
hard toll He continued to watch /
them with interest as they found and /
filed a pipe. They were amazingly |
Ieft, expressive hands
Have a chair, It's a good one; I !
made 1t myself
Pardon me, but I must see Mr. /
Thatcher. Where is he, please?
He's gone, skipped, No manner OF |
use IN looking for him On my honor, /
he's not In town.
"Then why didn't you say so and /
be done with it, demanded Dan an /
griIy.
please keep your seat replied the
young fellow from the work bench Il 1
really wish you would"
May I ask just who you are and |
Why on earth you brought me up /
here?s
Those are fair questions-twO of
ITEM To the first, I am Allen |
Thatcher, and this is my fathers
house To the second" He hest |
tated a moment, then shrugged his !
shoulders and laughed We'll. if you |
must KNOW was SO deviish lone !
some"'
He gazed at Harwood quizzicaIly. /
with a hah-humorOus, haf-dejected |
air.
IF you're lonesome. Mr. Thatcher /
il must be because you prefer it that I
way. It cant be necessary for you TO /
resort to kidnapping just to have /
somebody to talk to- I thought you /
we're in Europe"
Nothing as bad as that, What's |
your name. if you don't mind?"
When Dan gave it. Thatcher nodded |
and thanked him.
The whimsical humor that twinkled |
in his eyes occasionally was interest |
ing and pleasing; and Dan imagined |
shat he was enjoying the situation. |
silk socks and oveTalls were probably /
Il part Of some within; they certainly /
added picturesqueness to the scene /
But the city editor must be informed |
hat Edward G. Thatcher was beyond |
his jurisdiction and Dan rose and |
moved toward the door. Allen jumped |
.Iown and crossed to him quickly.
"Oh. 1 say. I really wish you
wouldn't go"
There was no doubt Of the. plead |
ing in his voice and manner. He
aid a hand very gently on Dams !
arm.
But I've got to get hack down
town. II your father has really gone
and isn't hidden away here some /
where"
I've cut you a slice right out of
the eternal truth on that, old man. !
Father will be in New York for break |
fast in the morning. Search the /
house all you please; but. DO you
know. I'd rather like you to believe |
me-
''Of course. I believe you; but it's
odd the Office didn't know you were
here. They told me you and your
mother and sisters We're abroad, but !
that your father was in town. A per |
sonal item in the Courier this morn
ing said that you We're all in the
Hartz Mountains
Il dare say it did. The newspapers /
keep them all pretty we'll before the |
public But I've had enough junket- 1
ing. I'm going to stay right here for |
n while"
You prefer it here's that the
idea?'
Yes. fancy should If I knew
it: want 10 know it. But I'm all /
kinds Of crazy. you know. They
really think I'm clear off. simply be-
cause their kind OF thing doesn't (
smuse me. I lost too much as d kid /
being away from home. They said 4
had TO be educated abroad. and there /
YOU see me-Dresden awhile. Berlin 1
mother while. lot Of Geneva. and /