Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-12-08
CHAPTER XIII
Tommy Makes a Discovery.


Tommy Makes a Discovery.
For a moment or two they stood
staring at each other stupidity, dazed
with shock. Somehow, inexpllcably,
Mr.. Brown had forestalled them.
Tommy accepted defeat quietly. Not
so julius.
"How in tarnation did he get ahead
of us7 That's what beats mel" he
ended up.
Il don't see that 1t matters any
way" said Tommy YEARLY. "He may
have found out some months ago, and
removed the papers, then No, by
Jove. that won't washI They'd have
been published at once"
"Sure thing they would No some
ones got ahead of US today by an
hour or so. But how they did It gets
my goat It's no good arguing about
how It was done. The games I'D.
We've failed. There's only one thing
for me to do"
"Whats thatr
sect back to London as soon as pos
sible. Mr.. Carter must be warned.
It's only a matter Of hours now be-
fore the blow falls"
Half an hour after arrival. haggard
and pale, Tommy stood before his
chief.
I've come to report, sir. I'VE failed
failed badly"
Mr.. Carter eyed him sharply.
you mean that the treaty."
as In the hands of Mr.. Brown, sir"
"Well," said Mr.. Carter after a min
ute or two, I'VE mustn't sac at the
knees, l suppose. I'm glad to know
definitely. We must do what we can"
Through Tommy's mind flashed the
assurance: IT'S hopeless, and he
knows It's hopelessw
The other looked up at him.
II blame myself. have been blam-
ing myself ever since / heard this
other news"
Something in his tone attracted
Tommy's attention. A new fear
grlpped at his heart.
SIS there-something more. STRIP
I'm afraid So said Mr.. Carter
grayely. He stretched out his hand
to sheet on the table.
''Tuppence-T' faltered Tommy.
'Read for yourself"
The typewriter words danced be-
fore his eyes. The description of a
green toque. coat with handker-
chief in the pocket marked "P. L. c."
He looked an agonlzed question at Mr.
Carter. The latter replied to It:
washed up on the Yorkshire coast
near Ebury. I'm afrald-it looks
very much like foul play"
my CD" gasped Tommy. "Tup-
pence! Those devils-I'll never rest
till I've got even with themi I'll
hunt them down. I'll
I'm taking up your time, sir" he
said with an effort. There's no need
for you to blame yourself. l dare say
we were a couple of young fools to
take on such job You warned us
all right. But l wish to God I'd been
the one to get 1t in the neck. Good
by, sir"
Back at the Ritz, Tommy packed
up his few belongings mechanically,
his thoughts far away. He was still
bewlldered by the Introduction OF
tragedy into his cheerful common
place existence What fun they had
had together. he and Tuppencel And
now-oh, he couldn't believe lit
couldn't be true! Impoverished,
Little Tuppence, brimming over with
lifei 1t was a dream, q horrible
| dream. Nothing more.
They brought him a note, a few
kind words OF sympathy from Peel
| Edgerton, who had read the news in
the paper. There had been a large
headline: EX-V. A. D. FEARED
DROWNED) The letter ended with
the offer of a post on ranch in the
Argentine, where Sir James had con
siderable interests.
kind old beggar," muttered Tommy,
as he flung ii aside.
The door opened. and Julius burst
In with his usual violence. He held an
open newspaper In his hand.
"Say. what's all this2 They seem TO
have got some fool idea about Tup-
pence"
ats true" said Tommy quietly.
"You mean they've done her inT'
| Tommy nodded.
Il suppose when they got the treaty
! she-wasn't any good to them any
longer, and they were afraid to let her
| go"
We'll Tn darned!" said Julius,
Little Tuppence. She sure was the
Quickest little girl"
But suddenly something seemed to