The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-09-30
w. Mystery Mountain

operistion. II gave time ior TIE
enemy to approach him-perhaps
to strike him. He believed that.
III the great plot which was brew
ing. every government oNlCial
would be watched, and especially
the members Of the Criminal In
telligence Department. 1t might
/ be easier 10 persuade the plotters
to find him than to lind the plot
tiers. Smith waited.
On the third DAY native boy
arrived from Calcutta with note
from Langa Doonh. Smith imme-
/ diately engaged him in place or
the boy he WIS using. The new
boy accepted tho moderate wage
/ that hc was offered with very
little protest-far too little. Smith
thought =,
Go to my ROOM" directed
Smith. and lay out my dinner
I Jacket" He tossed him bunch
OF keys. Find out where every
thing is. The small key is for my
dispatch box. Never open that un-
less | tell you TO 90 SO.
Two hours later Smith entered
! his room and found everything In
perfect order. Upon the small
steel dispatch box lay the bunch
OF keys. AS smith entered, his
new boy emeys 4 from the bath
room. silently salaamed and LETT
the room. He would stand out
side the door until his master
I called him. Evidently he was we'll
trained.
! Carelessly Smith hung his topi
upon the door knob. efectually
blocking the keyhole. After d
rapid glance into the bathroom he
bent swiftly over the dispatch box
and examined the keyhole with a
pocket magnifying glass. \ bit OF
lint that had been there efore, was
still there. The box had not been
opened. Picking up the key ring.
he scrutinized the small key with
care. With @ pin he picked on a
speck OF soft wax such as might
be used for making an impression
from which a duplicate key could
be produced. With smile he re-
placed the keys upon the box. His
plan was Working.
| Early the next morning. while
eating his chotta hazari in bed.
Smith received most unexpected
visitor who was preceded by
neatly engraved card bearing the
name of Mr.. Cyril Sanderson. He
was a unique character In Simla-
probably the only shopkeeper who
was ever admitted to Simla's
fashionable society.
Mr.. Sanderson entered the
room dressed In spotless white
riding clothes. In his buttonhole
was a cornflower. the dark blue
OF which was a perfect match for
his eyes. It was said that he was
never without this flower in the
daytime. Dropping his topi and
an ivory handled riding crop upon
the table. he advanced to the bed
with outstretched hand.
MY dear fellow, why did you
not look me up? Let me put you
up at the club, Or has somebody
been before me?"
Smiths long fame twisted I'M
der tho sheet as he thrust out
hand with a grin.
Thanks" he said. WAS going
to call today. Sit down"
Sanderson drew up a chair and
extended hts legs as one does
after riding. Smiths eye ran over
the figure Of his guest and rested
upon the soles OF his boots where
some red mud or clay stuck close
up against the heels.
"Why the honor OF this visit"
asked Smith.
; 1.-THE honor Is mine" replied
Sanderson. smiling genially. "As
you know. deal with political
intriguers in foreign countries.
Sometimes I deal with them when
they come to this country. One
of them-a master hands here
now. in Slmla. He Is the brains
OF an organized native movement
to kill the Viceroy and all the
white leaders in India. You are
here, OF course, to guard the
Viceroy: and no better guard
could he have"
"Uh-huh," said Smith. but why
the honor OF this visit?"
II have given myself tho honor
In order to seek your aid. I have
received advice from a small town
In Europe that this master Of
political intrigue is here, butt
do not know who he Is. Will you
advise me OF everything you learn
so that we may work together"
Yes" replied Smith. III I
learn anything.
Then you have unearthed
nothing YETI"
Not thing" said Smith.
swinging his long legs out OF bed.
You'll excuse me if take bath.
III call in a day or So"
! Two days later Smith, on leav-
ing his room. kicked over his ser
wants shoes where the boy had
left them before entering his mas
ter's room. He was about 10 pass
on when his eye was attracted to
n bit OF red. close to the heel on
the sole OF one OF the shoes. He
stopped and examined 1t and
found that It was smearing
OF red clay. Immediately he re-
membered the red substance on
the boot soles OF the immaculate
Mr. SandersOn. 1t might be
chance. he thought, but it was
worth looking into.
The Viceroy would be back IN
Simla upon the following day, and
!, rho evening there was to be a